(a tribute to my father Abdul Malik
Fareed)
we all share the same vulnerabilities
we all, as human beings, share
a common set of vulnerabilities
for so few pass through this world without being scarred
such that pain has become a common human denominator (for now)
he had mountains of pain within his heart
as so many of us do
he had the courage to see the mountains for what they are
instead of ignoring them or wishing them invisible
he set upon a journey to transform these mountains
through the omnipotence of Spirit, the wonder of perception
he feared not the summits’ heights and confronted the power
of his thoughts
for even mountains can be transcended if we are willing to climb
them
for even mountains can be made to serve as altars for Love
Love for one’s self, Love for others
from the Most High to the lowest of lowest beings
Love which is inseparable, which is connection with all
this is what he sought as the fulfillment of his life
a quest he sought to share sacredly with others
not always perfect in pursuing this intent
but even imperfections can lead us to fulfillment
it can be difficult to climb the mountains
but you didn’t let them deter you
you didn’t let the struggles stop you from helping others
to free themselves from that which keeps us in bondage
trusting: that helping others would help you help yourself
even as the effort of serving this vow at times became
convoluted with the sacred challenge of truly loving yourself
and how this became a major lesson in your last bodily days
the realization that you did not love yourself enough
that you must love yourself more to attain the delicate balance
and trust: that helping yourself would help you to help others
more
and love others and yourself as one
thus manifesting truth
revealing peace
attaining spiritual maturity
and so much more
and so much more
and that i am blessed to have witnessed you within this lesson
you, and all the beautiful qualities you possess
as these exist within and beyond the vulnerabilities we all share
and the lesson, and the opportunity it offers us
to transform mountains of pain into sacred altars for living
the miracles of Love
that can be within us
that can be us
i know not for sure whether you fulfilled this lesson before
your passing
but i appreciate the sign that indicates its possible fulfillment
and what a wonder it is that such a lesson was placed in your
life
what a wonder it is to truly realize the potential of genuinely
loving your self
and whether this lesson was fulfilled or not
it did not deter you from living a life that benefitted yourself
and others
for when i reflect upon your life as a whole
it inspires me to appreciate the whole experience
the good, the bad
the painful and the healing
the wonderful and amazing
the insightfulness and unnecessary redundancy
the humorous and enjoyable
the frustrating and disturbing
the happiness and beauty
and even the sadness that is part of my accepting your passing
for even in this moment it is all becoming one (experience)
a sacred treasure i seek to carry with me as part of my continuing
present
trusting Spirit to know
that your purpose for being here is fulfilled
that you could depart, your mandate in this world served
that you have given of yourself to help others realize their
own benefit
even as you struggled to heal your own wounds
that your life as a whole was a dare to live, not merely wait
to die
a dare to search
a dare to grow
a dare to Love
a journey for Love
we all share the same vulnerabilities
but i have the blessings of your lessons to help me along my
way
that i may dare to continue the journey to genuinely love myself
i will remember you
that you may continue to live in me in peace
ÆL)
Nashid Fareed
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