Struggle For Spiritual Perfection

JIHAD-AL-AKBAR Struggle for Spiritual Perfection Spiritual life originates from the heart. It is an awakening of a kind of knowledge, which transmutes the soul through removing the parallax between soul and the Self. It is not an outward display of religious ceremonies and sentiments. We may be impressed by an outward appearance of devotion which is sometime no more them a kind of lukewarm religiosity, but without liberating our self from the clutches of our ego, this lukewarm religiosity cannot lead us to Allah, who looks on our heart. God guides every heart, which has faith in His oneness and guides all pilgrims who dare to listen to His voice deep within their own being. The word religion, `to bind banks,' points to a process much more profound than mere appearance; in fact, this refers to spiritual paths, which culminate in the spiritual condition: a virtual union with Whole (Holy) Living an ordinary secular life in the contemporary times does not attain to that experience. It will not be found in mere pious acts, public professions of faith, or bodily austerities. It is, ultimately, a personal and inner journey of the soul, a meeting of Murabi (man) with his Rub after a spiritual struggle. That meeting, that re-linking, that union or removing the parallax, is the real fruit of spirituality, east or west. In contemporary society, where cheap thrills are sought even in the sacred arena of religion, a return to genuine, deep, religious experience is sorely needed. We must abandon the hype of the instant and superficial in favour of the proven and real. JIHAD-E-AKBAR is intended to inspire and prepare us to go inward to the depths of our own consciousness, to the center of our being, and meet God in spirit and in truth. This exposition is presented in the form of a conversation between the soul (ego) and the Self (Lord) in the heart. It is our prayers that by assimilating these dialogues, we will be inspired to go within ourselves and see the Truth. It is hoped that this will be assimilated with open heart and mind to gain insight into the true nature of the spiritual journey. May God Protect us from error and Guides us to His own Truth.