Today's Insight

My intention for today is Gratitude ! I am thankful for this continuos present moment and all that this gift is.

At The Movies

Jumping the Broom: 3.5 Stars! It's a funny romantic comedy with good acting & not entirely predictable.

Thor: 3.5 Stars! Go see in Real 3D, this movie is actually enhanced by the 3D effect. Great action sequences & costumes. Good & generally fun.

Fast Five: 4 Stars! Awesome action thrill ride & very funny. Great to see all the actors in one movie. And who doesn't love Vin Diesel & The Rock (who is super huge again in this movie) on the same screen?!

Today's Insight

What other people think of me is none of my business!

Love This Song, Great Lyrics!

Today's Insight

"I am the only shadow that blocks my light."

I heard this from one of the Top Chef Allstars contestants. Don't hide your light!

My Quick Take on The Wisdom Teaching Islam

Islam

Why

I choose to write my thoughts about Islam for several reasons.   One, although it’s the world’s second largest religion, until recently I knew very little about it.  Two, Islam has received so much attention in America in the last ten years, as a result of the events on September 11, 2011.  Three, during my recent trip to Egypt I visited the Mosque of Mohammad Ali and I had my first formal education about Islam, and was completely surprised by what I discovered and how it affected me spiritually.  I saw my soul.

The Basics

In that Mosque in Egypt I learned the the very basic fact that Islam is a religion,  Muslims are people that follow the principles of Islam and Arab is a culture.  It seems I should have known this, but I admit I had used the words interchangeably.  Islam is the belief that there is one God called Allah and Muhammed is it’s Prophet.  I love the etymology and meaning of the word Islam.  Islam means “submission” or “surrender” and is derived from the root “slm”(1).

  Practically, Islam is the belief that there is only Allah and that man should submit/surrender to it’s will and follow the word of Allah.  The teachings of Islam, as revealed to Muhammad the Prophet (circa 570-632) as the word of Allah through the Angel Gabriel, are contained in the Qur'an. 

The primary principles of Islam are the Six Articles of Faith.  Generally they are the following:

1. Belief there is only one Eternal, Infinite, Perfect, Supreme, Loving God, the Creator of All
2. Belief in Angels
3. Belief in Scriptures/Holy Books as the word of God revealed to messengers
4. Belief in prophets/messengers of God from Adam to Muhammad
5. Belief in a Day of Judgment and resurrection for all humans
6. Belief in Al Qadar, Divine Predestination,(2) but that humans have free will.

In Egypt I first learned some detail about about the actual practices of a Muslim, which are the Five Pillars of Islam.  

1. Faith (Shahadah). Statement of Faith “There is no god, but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah.”
2. Prayer (Salah). Pray five times daily - dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and night.
3. Charity (Zakah). Give 2.5% of annual savings to charity or those in need.
4. Fasting (Sawm). Fasting during the month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset.
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj). Annual journey to Makkah, Saudi Arabia at least once in a lifetime, for Muslims who can afford it.

It’s Application to My Life

I have always known that the violent actions taken by individuals in the name of God are never representative of one who believes in and surrenders to God (no matter the name).  I know that the wisdom teaching of Islam and the Qur’an are absolutely opposite to the violent actions taken by some humans who call themselves Muslims (followers of Islam).  I have most of the same fundamental beliefs of Muslims.  I too believe there is one God that is supreme to all, loving, all providing, perfect, all knowing, infinite, eternal, creator of All.  I too believe that God does not favor one being over another. I agree that knowing truth is to know that there is only one God and God is the only power in life, and in what I call my life.  I too thankfully surrender/submit to that power because it is infinitely and eternally all good.  To me, the word Islam sums-up my call as a mystic,  which is to know, submit and surrender to the reality of my oneness with God through my actions (mental and physical) and active spiritual practices.(3)  A mystic is one who realizes and practices the truth of their Oneness with God.  One who knows God is within and that every human, animal, vegetable, mineral is an individual expression of God.  As a mystic I am conscious of the I Am that I Am, through me as me.

⁽¹⁾ See also http://quranicteachings.co.uk/islam-meanings.htm The root of the word Islam is s-l-m (seen-laam-meem), which leads to the following meanings:

• to be in sound condition, well, without a blemish
• to be safe and sound, unharmed, unimpaired, intact, safe, secure, in peace
• to be unobjectionable, blameless, faultless, certain, established, clearly proven (fact)
• to be free (from defects, fault, imperfection, blemish or vice) [particularly, with the preposition 'min']
• to escape (from a danger)

The word has a much wider meaning than mere peace and also involves prosperity, good health, wholeness and completeness in every way.

⁽²⁾ See http://www.islam-guide.com/frm-ch3-16.htm  (The belief in Divine Predestination includes belief in four things: 1) God knows everything.  He knows what has happened and what will happen.  2) God has recorded all that has happened and all that will happen.  3) Whatever God wills to happen happens, and whatever He wills not to happen does not happen.  4) God is the Creator of everything.)

⁽³⁾ Other Sources: http://www.quran.or.kr/Islam/1_3.html, http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/islam/islam.html, http://www.islam-guide.com/frm-ch3.htm, http://www.islamicbulletin.org/newsletters/issue_24/beliefs.aspx

Neonu's Insite Blog Update

Expect more regular postings on my thoughts, experiences, and InSite's.  Thank you for your support

Today's Insight

Answering the Call


You are here to enable the divine purpose of the universe to unfold. That is how important you are!

Eckhart Tolle

Today's Affirmation

I give thanks that I am awake and aware to the absolute delights of being on this plane and in this body, of loving and being loved, seeing God in everything and in everyone. I understand and accept that it is all magical, unknowable, perfect, and all mine!



Rev. Nancy Zala (innervisions@agapelive.com)

10th Annual Chicago Boat Party

Details @ http://www.chicago-scene.com/cs-parties/boatparty.htm

One SixtyBlue: 5 Stars!

1400 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60607
312.850.0303
http://www.onesixtyblue.com/

One SixtyBlue, Michael Jordan's restaurant, has absolutely fabulous contemporary American food and beautiful presentations. What I love most is the fact that many of your vegetables where grown and picked freshly from One SixtyBlue's onsite urban garden. That right, it has a full beautiful garden in the back parking lot and growing on the side of the building. Amazing use of space and proof that you can grow whole foods right in the middle of city. A great reason to eat all your vegetables. Thank you One Sixty Blue!

Some of the dishes that remind me how I became a foodie:

• The poached egg duck salad
• Virginia soft shell crab
• The Washington Wild King Salmon, with red bliss potato, duck fat has potatoes (yes 2 super delish potatoes), grilled scallions, and horseradish cream
• The Charred Octopus & Grilled Squid, with goat meatballs, Wisconsin watercress pesto, chickpeas, pickled baby turnips, and chili oil

And dessert - I don't care how full you are, you must order something preferably several things. Believe me it's worth the gluttony.

SPECIALS

MONDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS

First Monday of each* month, 6, 7 & 8pm seatings, @ Blue Bar only. Savor a six-pour flight perfectly paired with a seasonal six-bite tasting menu for only $47, INCLUSIVE of tax & gratuity. Winery and menu changes monthly.

*one sixtyblue will host our next flight night the 2nd Monday in September.

FRIED CHICKEN & CHAMPAGNE

Wednesdays @ Blue Bar only. Dine on our $8 fried chicken dinner served with Asian pear slaw, house-made waffle with truffle butter and hand sliced potato wedges. Add a bit of fizz to the evening with Champagne by the glass.

BURGERS, BEERS & BEATS

Thursdays, 6–10pm @ Blue Bar only. Start your weekend early and join us Thursday evenings for $4 signature burgers, $4 craft beers (selection changes weekly).