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| Dear Friend, I lost my father this last month. I lost him physically, but there is more to life than the physical. And it's those realizations that help us on the path of peace and freedom. Enjoy.
~ Azim N. Khamisa |
| Quotes of the Month |
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* Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.
 * What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly. - Richard Bach From his book "Illusions" |
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| Azim's Monthly Musings | |
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Farewell to "Papa" - God Speed Ahead ...
My father, affectionately known in the family as "Papa," passed peacefully on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 4:15 a.m. in Vancouver, Canada. Friday is the Muslim Sabbath. Our faith considers 4 to 5 a.m. the spiritual hour of the day. He passed in the month of Ramadan which is the holiest time of the year for Muslims. This was indeed a good day!
Many Blessings,My Papa was 84 and had accomplished much in his life. A generous man who never spoke ill of anyone, he was a wonderful mentor for me in many areas, especially in business matters. He had a sharp mind and a strong faith. He will be very missed. I was with him and my family when he passed and this was a huge blessing. His funeral was the following Tuesday. What was amazing was the outpouring of the Ismaili community (the Sufi Muslim order to which we belong). THE FAREWELL For decades, my Mama has opened the mosque every morning at 3 a.m., preparing tea for the faithful who come early each morning to meditate and pray. She is quite respected and well-known in the community. And it was amazing for me to see, from Friday 7 a.m. through the funeral Tuesday, the droves of community members who came home to support us in the wake of losing Papa. They brought breakfast,  lunch and dinner. Their prayers and chanting were continuously offered until late every evening. I have never felt such love and support for my family. I felt blessed to be born into this wonderful faith that is so rich in ritual and prayer. Shahin, Papa Noordin, Mama Remy, Khalil Alaei The experience brought back the memories of my son Tariq who passed 13 years ago. Over 500 people attended my father's funeral, and he is buried about five steps from where Tariq is buried. The ceremony was very loving, graceful and supportive. The family all gathered at Papa's favorite restaurant for a healing luncheon right after the funeral and bid him farewell - God speed ahead... Later that day I went to walk at Ambleside - a beautiful path on the water in North Vancouver not far from my parents' home where my father and I often walked together. In the past I used to always nudge him to walk a little faster so he could get his heart rate higher. As I walked this time without him, I was reminiscing about the many times we had walked together in the past. I felt him walking right there alongside me on my right side. I jokingly said, "Well, Papa now you can keep up with me." I heard his reply, "No no son, now I can walk much faster than you. I can fly." This brought a smile to my face. THE WONDER OF LIFE What is so wonderful about life is you never really lose anyone. I still feel very strongly connected to Tariq and know that both he and my father will always be with me spiritually. Of course one misses the physical connection, but often the spiritual connection is dearer, closer and present whenever you need it. I remember when John Lennon suddenly died, a journalist asked his wife Yoko Ono, "This must be hard on you because John and you were together 95 percent of the time." And her response: "Now we are together 100 percent of the time." So I want to dedicate this month's newsletter to all the family members and loved ones of the readers who have passed on. Let us breathe a moment and remember them and send them a prayer so that their souls can rest in eternal peace. Let us truly, from the bottom of our hearts, thank them for the significant contributions they have individually made in our lives ... to be in perpetual gratitude to our parents for having been responsible in giving us birth and the gift of life. For Life is our Greatest Gift. Let us let them know that we love them dearly, that we hold them in our highest regard, that we will continue their legacy and serve humanity in their names until it is our time to come home and again be united. REMEMBER ALWAYS Let us take this moment and visit their graves or altars and bring with us flowers. Let us light a candle or incense and sit there for a few moments with our eyes closed in meditation, connecting with them in spirit, enveloping them with a big hug of pure love. Let us rejoice in the splendor of this special moment for all the gifts they brought into our lives and in the world. We love you very much Papa! Azim N. Khamisa |
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| Azim Shares Poetry on the Final Transformation |
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"Win I Die" by Rumi
when my coffin is being taken out you must never think I am missing this world don't shed any tears don't lament or feel sorry I'm not falling into a monster's abyss when you see my corpse is being carried don't cry for my leaving I'm not leaving I'm arriving at eternal love when you leave me in the grave don't say goodbye remember a grave is only a curtain for the paradise behind you'll only see me descending into a grave now watch me rise how can there be an end when the sun sets or the moon goes down it looks like the end it seems like a sunset but in reality it is a dawn when the grave locks you up that is when your soul is freed Have you ever seen a seed fallen to earth not rise with a new life why should you doubt the rise of a seed named human have you ever seen a bucket lowered into a well coming back empty why lament for a soul when it can come back like Joseph from the well when for the last time you close your mouth your words and soul will belong to the world of no place no time - Rumi, poet and Spiritual Sufi Master |
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INSPIRATIONAL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE - DVDs and CDs
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The Compilations Bring the Best of Azim's Talks
A Collage of Inspiration on the Path of Peace TAPESTRY - AUDIO and DVD SERIES
 Collecting his best audios and videos into special packages, watch or listen as Azim delivers the message of peace. For the video series, Azim delivers a keynote address for a large corporation, speaks before young adults at a Juvenile Hall, addresses an International Conference on Peace, and offers an introduction to the story behind TKF. For the audio series, Azim gives a one-on-one interview, delivers a keynote address and talks of his time with the Dalai Lama.For Purchase, click HERE FORGIVENESS BOOKS
Following up Azim's award-winning "From Murder to Forgiveness" published in 1998, the highly anticipated sequel "From Forgiveness to Fulfillment" was published November 2007. This is the exciting next chapter in the evolution of a man not only healing his heart but also helping to heal the wounds of a society. - From Murder to Forgiveness - $19.95 |
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