Rumi and Emerson: A Bridge Between the West and the Muslim World

08/15/201301/07/2017 Dr. Craig Considine6 Comments

The writings of Jalalud’din Rumi, the 13th century Sufi Muslim philosopher from modern-day Afghanistan, and the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the 19th century Christian transcendentalist from Boston, Massachusetts, are filled with lessons that enrich every human soul. Rumi’s and Emerson’s similar thoughts on religious tolerance, love, and care for the soul can help bridge…… Continue reading Rumi and Emerson: A Bridge Between the West and the Muslim World

Poems

A Ramadan meditation in verse

07/24/2013 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

By Akbar Ahmed Source: Washington Post – On Faith Allah has many names Allah is Rahman He is Rahim He is also Ghafoor And known as Noor Some have called Him Zeus Others address Him as Deus Some name Him Brahma Others see Him in Atma If you want to know Him, whatever His appellation…… Continue reading A Ramadan meditation in verse

Pictures · Quoted

Rumi’s Advice on Tolerance, Compassion and Love

05/30/201302/07/2015 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

This picture was taken at the annual Muslim Day Parade in New York City in the fall of 2008. I did not take this picture in black and white. It has been doctored using some software.

Poems

“Springtime of lovers”

05/24/201305/24/2013 Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

Pictures

“There is a Voice that Doesn’t Use Words. Listen.” – Rumi

05/16/201302/28/2014 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

I took this picture in the summer of 2012 in Glencolumbkille, Ireland. Glencolumbkille is located in a quiet area on the coast of Donegal. My lady and I had just returned to our place after a magical drive to the abandoned seaside village called Port.

Poems

Allah or God, it Doesn’t Matter to Me

04/22/201302/07/2015 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

I’m a Catholic but I think Islam is beautiful Some think I’m interested in converting No, I’m not it just makes me think of the one above Whether it’s called Allah or God it doesn’t matter I think of him I think of heaven A place of no worries A place of peace A place…… Continue reading Allah or God, it Doesn’t Matter to Me

Poems

Inspiring poem: “The Man in the Glass”

04/07/2013 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

The Man in the Glass When you get what you want in your struggle for self, And the world makes you king for a day, Then go to the mirror and look at yourself, And see what that man has to say. * For it isn’t your Father, or Mother, or Wife, Who judgement upon…… Continue reading Inspiring poem: “The Man in the Glass”

Pictures

Where is your soul from?

04/06/2013 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

I took this picture in the summer of 2011 at “The Rock” in Dover, Massachusetts. “The Rock” is one of my favorite getaways, a serene place I often go to contemplate the world around me. That’s me in the picture. I placed my camera on the timer to capture the glorious sunset. I’ve included Rumi’s poetry to…… Continue reading Where is your soul from?

Pictures

Pictures: Work is love made visable

10/04/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

As I mentioned previously, when I play around with the blinds over my window, I can create some pretty magical displays of light.

Poems

Poems: Boundless seafarer

10/03/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Picture/poem © Craig Considine After Kahlil Gibran Sons of my ancient mother, you riders of the tides, How often have you sailed in my dreams. And now you come in my awakening, which is my deeper dream. * Ready am I to go, and my eagerness with sails full set awaits the wind. Only another breath…… Continue reading Poems: Boundless seafarer

Poems

Poem: The ravage of capitalism

09/09/2012 Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

After Marx Masses of labourers, crowded into the factory, are organized like soldiers, as privates of the industrial army. They are placed under the command of a perfect hierarchy, of officers and sergeants. Not only are they slaves of the bourgeois class, and of the bourgeois State; they are daily and hourly enslaved by the…… Continue reading Poem: The ravage of capitalism

Poems

Poem: How do you think?

09/01/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

After Emerson What is the hardest task in the world? To think. I would put myself in the attitude to look in the eye an abstract truth, and I cannot. I blench and withdraw on this side and on that. I seem to know what he meant who said, No man can see God face…… Continue reading Poem: How do you think?

Poems

Poem: The sentiment of love

08/31/201209/01/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

After Emerson Every soul is a celestial Venus to every other soul. The heart has its sabbaths and jubilees in which the world appears as a hymeneal feast, and all natural sounds and the circles of the seasons are erotic odes and dances. Love is omnipresent in nature as motive and reward. Love is our…… Continue reading Poem: The sentiment of love

Poems

Poem: A racing country

08/03/201208/03/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

I hear you say, with a cancerous rage, ‘LET’S TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!’ But where are you taking it back to, who are you taking it back with, and who are you taking it back from? Why are some people joining you, while others are not? Why do some people yearn for the past, while…… Continue reading Poem: A racing country

Poems

Poem: Akbar

07/19/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

*Dedicated to Professor Akbar Ahmed He serves esoteric and philosophic truths, across the traditions, in pursuit of those truths, so that the darkness can be lifted, and the light can shine through. © Craig Considine

Creative writing

Religion: Rumi – from scholar to saint

07/13/201212/18/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Rumi, the great Sufi poet, was actually a scholar of sharia law (Islamic law). His responsibilities included making legal rulings and giving unapologetic lectures on how to resolve conflicts. One day, a man in rags approached Rumi and changed everything. The following exchange, according to legend, occurred: Pointing to Rumi’s legal books, the man in rags…… Continue reading Religion: Rumi – from scholar to saint

Poems

Poems: Langston Hughes’ great poem ‘I, Too’

07/13/201208/11/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table When company comes. Nobody’ll dare Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” Then. Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am…… Continue reading Poems: Langston Hughes’ great poem ‘I, Too’

Poems

Do you make flowers or thorns?

07/12/201203/26/2013 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Someone who doesn’t make flowers makes thorns. If you’re not building rooms where wisdom can be openly spoken, you’re building a prison. SHAMS OF TABRIZ I found this on page XI of Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation by Eboo Patel.

Poems · Religion

Prophet Muhammad on the Importance of Mothers

07/03/201202/07/2015 Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

After Sheikh Muzaffer A companion once asked the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH)): Who is the most important person for the soul in Islam?’ The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) replied: ‘The mother’. The companion pressed the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for more information. ‘Who is the next most important person?’ Once more, the Prophet Muhammad…… Continue reading Prophet Muhammad on the Importance of Mothers

Poems

Evolution

07/03/201207/03/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Arrogant, and a know-it-all, who cannot be taught anything. * Indifferent, spiritually empty, dictated by relativism. * Empty, on the inside, seeking perfection on the outside, * Lonely, insecure, with no direction. * Veering, losing sight of family, running from relationships that matter. * Selfish, closing in on the self, the ego and the cliques. * Broken,…… Continue reading Evolution

Poems

Poem: Spirit at Hemlock George

07/02/201208/21/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

An inviting path, under the shade of a gigantic tree and the shadow of a bird flying above. The bird chirps, as another one sings. The aura is over me. * There’s an opening ahead, where the water, crashing at the falls eliminates the silence. There, on a small cliff, I stand, embracing the mist, which, ever…… Continue reading Poem: Spirit at Hemlock George

Creative writing

Carry these in your hands

06/29/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

One of the most famous Sufi thinkers ever is Rabia, who wrote in the 8th-century. She was born in modern-day Basra, Iraq. According to folklore, Rabia was an orphan and ultimately sold into slavery; she almost had nothing except, of course, her thoughts. Legend has it that Rabia was once seen praying with a halo…… Continue reading Carry these in your hands

Poems

Stripping the layers

06/28/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Lovers trust in the wealth of their hearts while the all-knowing mind sees only thorns ahead. * To wander in the fields of flowers pull the thorns from your heart. – Rumi

Poems · Religion

The Source of Rumi’s Inspiration

06/25/201202/06/2015 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Rumi’s inspiration progresses from the inner to the outer, from spiritual impulse to verbal expression. Thus, the more we are able to penetrate the outer form of his words, the closer we may come to catching a glimpse of the Source from which they came. This requires a considerable mental leap. Rumi is aware of…… Continue reading The Source of Rumi’s Inspiration

Poems

Breaking

06/07/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

By Patrick Lane You miss your woman when she’s gone. You sleep on her side of the bed even when you say you won’t, imagine her cut under you like strange wool newly clipped. And fold away, fold away. There’s broken things around you you can’t fix. Blood in a boy’s head and a bullet…… Continue reading Breaking

Poems

‘It always struck me that…’

06/05/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

… in a way poetry is stronger than death but it’s like love in that somebody two hundred years later could know you somehow through your words. – Medbh McGuckian An amazing line.

Poems

T***t

06/04/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

The slippery and elusive Untouchable and invisible Thing. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack or Bringing peace to earth for eternity. * Have you ever held a little kitten? Your arms wrapped around it, held ever so tightly Then the kitten wiggles away and escapes Just as you think you have it wrapped…… Continue reading T***t

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