Arising from the limitless ocean of wealth given to us by Bawa Muhaiyaddeen (Ral.), Sayings is a valuable new treasury of clear wisdom that somehow manages to be universal and specific, timeless and timely, old and new, complex and simple, yet able to speak directly to every open heart. This book lightly carries us into the realm of wisdom by asking innocent questions with obvious answers: “If you bite into a hot chili pepper, what will happen? Shhhh, aghhh. It will burn your mouth.” When we are told how this example applies to our own lives: “If you bite on something that can burn you, it will cause you to suffer,” we suddenly realize we have been given a memorable safeguard. Consisting of sayings of all lengths and kinds, the adages in this book appear simple, at first. As we think about them, we see that these sayings are filled with inner meanings and brimming with priceless truths we can chuckle over: “Evil is like a tail that keeps on growing;” ponder about: “Too intimate a friendship will blind you and be a danger to your life;” and reflect upon: “Time…changes with the seasons. If a man becomes Yaman, the Angel of Death (A.S), he will destroy himself.” As always, the compassionate wisdom of Bawa Muhaiyaddeen (Ral.) never fails to nurture the soul while bringing comfort to the mind and inspiration to our everyday lives.
Do not go here and there, searching for God. He exists everywhere, within everything, as a Power. Search, instead, for the wisdom that can realize Him. If that wisdom comes to you, then you will know Him and you will know yourself. That will be good.
– M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen (Ral.)
(Sayings, p. 34)
God created the tree. The tree provides comfort in the world. It helps man by shading him from the sun, protecting him from the wind and the rain, and giving him fruit. God has made the tree large so that it can give benefit to mankind. Like that, God created man from a tiny ray and made him large so that he can give peace, comfort, and love to all lives. Just as the tree gives food and provides shelter from the rain and the wind, man can give comfort to those who are tired in their lives. Man was created to feed those who are hungry and to help those who have sorrow, illness, and suffering. You were created in this large form so that you can give peace to those who are ignorant and helpless. So, can you not do the work that a tree does? If you would give help like the tree does, how beneficial that would be. Certainly, you should do even more exalted work in your life. But at least do the work that a tree does! That would be good.
– M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen (Ral.)
(Sayings, p. 54)
