He is God, the Creator, the Maker who shapes all forms and appearances! [31] His [alone] are the attributes of perfection. [32] All that is in the heavens and on earth extols His limitless glory: for He alone is almighty, truly wise! - 59:24 (Asad) to be nothing means to develop these attributes. to be something, means to shun, to suppress, to corrupt characteristics.
i have been something. i am riding on something. in kerala, when i was among keralan friends, they would say nothing-doing. it was a translation of a malyali word, i'm sure, and didn't make complete sense in english, not to me atleast, until recently. nothing doing, means, to me, that it appears like there's something happening, but really nothing is. so nothing doing.
talked to cuzin yusef today. he's hanging in he says. trying to making meaning of circumstance, of miami, of job-life, of purpose, of music.
aftter the music fast last year, i've been traveling in chaos, not sure what to music to put on, and operating instead from what's familiar. so, the same 90's tracks creep, same feel good, but doesn't feel good, so i put on abdul basit, the egyptian reciter who taught me how to put my hands over my face - a practice i've developed when people insist i be in a picture. face covered. but my actions are covered too.
my actions remain not hidden, but non-existant. i've surrounded myself in a tower, getting nautious behind the screen and vinyasing constantly. asana and prayer ground me. the recitations keep me connected.
maintaining, instead of shaping. what does it mean to shape?
to shape means to be messy, to do without audience, because Real recognize Real. if it sucks it sucks. then grow from it. then it wasn't that real.
to be Real means to put ALL, to do from Higher, to be vulnerable, to try, to more than try, to allow the doing and the consequent feedback to be the practice... and to allow the practice to be constant, and in the process deepen you. go deep. real deep.
shape, as you have been shaped. shape from One. you were shaped from One. the Maker of Beauty, has made you in beauty. the artistry of Creation is all around. this alone should compell us to shape.
shape. what does it mean to shape beauty? take time with your child. be present with them. takke time with your parents, your siblings, your cousins, your cuzins, your core-dozen.
craft. be messy with it, and go deep. push your boundaries. be a maker of beauty by doing your best. are you doing your best? why not?
shape from the Maker, by decondiitioning the plastic that you wear when you smile, dress, eat...
...to get to the Maker of Beauty, take off your cool - the veneer, the professional, the career guy/gal and do. so what someone thinks you suck at making beats, or that you can't dress, or that you are a lousy teacher, doctor, etc? maybe. so then get the feedback and go deeper. no need to be defensive. be thankful for the feedback and work from and on the side of truth.
all praise is due for this oportunity to shape to have been shaped, touched, by the Maker, into this body you and i occupy.
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