Pure Doing

 I have barely started wandering through the scented garden of 'being' or 'becoming' but thought to share something about 'doing'.

‘One of the signs of dependence on one’s own actions is the loss of hope when mistakes occur.’

This aphorism or Hikmah is from the great 13^th century Moroccan Sufi Ibn ‘Ata'Allah's* collection of spiritual maxims entitled the 'Hikam', or the Wisdom of ibn ‘Ata’Allah. His book offers a compendium of deeply insightful guidance on the path of self-awakening, decoding the higher order of reality that underlies apparent existence, the nature of the Sufi path and highlights the trickeries of the self. The tone and spare elegance of his writings have helped characterize the Shadhili tradition as a path, above all, of sobriety, austerity even. Not for them is the display of inward states of intoxication; these are to remain hidden and allowed to increase in density and intensity so as to obliterate the shadows of the self in the effulgent luminescence of Divine Light. It has also been the subject of several illustrious commentaries (like Ibn 'Abbad al-Rundi's or Ibn 'Ajibah's),the most recent of which has been done by Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri, simply titled 'The Hikam - The Wisdom of Ibn 'Ata' Allah'. This book is without doubt one of constant recourse in my life. Its truisms have many a time lifted me out of the mire of forgetfulness or self-pity and helped fine-tune my ability to decode the true nature of what is going on with me.

This maxim identifies a litmus test of how pure our intention was behind any action, in particular when a mistake is made and the outcome isn’t what was wanted. Feeling disheartened indicates stock placed in unmet expectations, rather than in Allah’s power alone. By contrast a neutral reaction implies equanimity born of having done one’s best and having left the rest in Allah’s hands, trusting that whatever the outcome would be for the best, and never wavering in that resolve.If an error has been made and acknowledged and thereby humbled us, then, according to another Hikmah (number 96), it is far preferable to an act of obedience that engenders arrogance.

No matter how competent we may be, no matter how skilful, the teaching in this saying points to the reality that as long as you identify with yourself, as long as you see actions originating from ‘you’, you are consigned to remain at the mercy of the self, the apparent 'other', rather than experience the liberation of pure action. The wise place their faith utterly in Allah, while undertaking action as informed and well-judged as possible.

There is an echo of this teaching in the diwan of another great Moroccan master,  Shaykh Muhammad Ibn al-Habib (d.1972), in the qasidah of ‘Astaghfirullah’ – ‘I seek forgiveness of Allah’, which it is our tradition to sing in our circles of invocation:

‘I seek forgiveness of Allah for any act done without intention and for dismay which flows quickly into the heart.’

If the intention was clear and pure, no dismay would flood the heart. The action would have been free of any expectation. So if you find yourself suffering disappointment after disappointment, shine the light of honesty on your intentions. Without judgement. Just witness. See the connectivity.

Equally, if and when you make a mess of things, check within. Were you acting freely, without expectation? If regardless of the outcome you know you did your best, then be content with that. Let the voice of trust speak. Attachment to outcomes is still an attachment, and attachment is truly the source of our suffering. And Allah knows best!

Paradoxically, we fallible beings cannot function without patterns of expectation (baby cries, gets attention, thereby learning its needs are met; work hard and you will be rewarded; be nice to your neighbours and they will be nice to you). The whole stuff of life is warp and weft expectations! It’s what gives civil society order. And yet, in order to be free of their binding ties, the true seeker will find ways to let go, to simplify life, to be vigilant and self-aware, and hopefully to laugh and forgive herself. For this is the gift of our lifetime: time to learn, let go, forgive and bask in the love of the Source of all, the pure ‘Beingness’ at the core of creation.

* Full name Abu’l-Fadhl Ahmed ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdu’l-Karim ibn ‘Ata’Allah al-Iskandari.

Glossary:

Hikmah: wisdom, wise saying.

Diwan: collection of poetry.

Qasidah: ode of 7 of more verses.