Abu Yazid Al-Bistami

This was my favorite reading by far this week. This passage was a break from the contradictions I saw in the others that focused on an omnipotent God full of love and goodness, without addressing the cause of evil in the world. This reading crossed the boundaries of religion and spoke to the heart.

“Nothing is better for a man than to be without anything, having no asceticism, no theory, no practice. When he is without everything, he is with everything.” This is a common belief in Eastern religions as well. The idea of letting go of everything you Think you know along with all of your earthly possessions to gain something much greater is so powerful to me. I always stop and think about what that would literally mean for me. Could I leave the comfort of my home and my concepts of religion behind to gain the real truth? There is definitely something about this path that is very appealing to me. More so than listening to someone else’s interpretation of God’s word and telling me it’s the truth.

“Anyone whose reward from God is deferred until tomorrow has not truly worshiped Him today.” Any form of worship should renew your body, spirit and mind. It should be an opportunity to stop and smell the roses per se. Take a moment to count your blessings so that they may continue to flow in your life. Take some time to fill up at the gas station of love by remembering those you love and those who love you. There’s a reward every single time. This passage seems to speak to a specific group of people who think that worship is a chore to be completed to ensure a seat in heaven. But I believe the God Christians speak of would let a sincere, faithful & good-hearted idol worshiper into heaven before an insincere Christian that only goes through the motions of religion.