Divine Flow

Building a Healthy Spiritual Ecosystem for our Community

Beloveds, our intention is to open the door to a new way for us to live and be in community together. This past year, Murshid Marz Rida has been working with us to help us understand what a healthy ecosystem looks like and how this paradigm relates to our Sufi Community. It’s a way that is natural and based in our fitra. A way that responds to all of our needs in a holistic way when it is operating from a place of health, not fear. With Rida’s encouragement, we now see how natural ecosystems are examples that Allah has provided us for how to live with each other. This relates to our tariqa, us as individuals, and the entire world.

I’d like to begin to discuss this with you tonight, to answer your questions and share my understandings and thoughts that are related to this. I have come to realize that what Rida is touching on as healthy ecosystems is related to what our guide defines as Divine Flow (al-wārid ar-rabbaniyy). We are learning how this Divine Flow (ecosystem) moves with the qualities of al-Hayy and al-Qayyum. We acknowledge that any healthy circle, whether it is a couple, a family, a small group or a greater community, in health, manifests and thrives by the enlivening and sustaining qualities of Hayy and Qayum.

What SSC is Proposing

We recognize that sustainability is what allows the Divine Flow in a healthy ecosystem to move freely within a community. When such an ecosystem is tended too and protected then it becomes self sustaining. SSC is committed to listening to and responding to this Divine Flow within our ecosystem with everything we do in service to our community. We invite each of you to join us in this endeavor to support the maturing of our spiritual community, insha’allah. A community where needs are heard and responded to, the walking is encouraged and supported and where one’s himma is inspired to blossom as gifts flowing back to nourish the ground we all share. A community that is balanced through a healthy cycle of giving and receiving, where all beloveds share in promoting this health. A place where we can all be immersed in this Divine Flow of Allah Most High, with all His Beauty, His Grace, His Mercy and His Love.

What would this look like on the ground?

If we can all allow ourselves to be drawn into the embrace of this Divine Flow and allow all of our exchanges and intentions and service to be inspired by and supported by it, then we have the fundamental beginnings of a holy and self-sustaining spiritual ecosystem that could serve all the beloveds who choose to join us, insha’allah. To do this requires that we become activated by the teachings and engaged on the ground of our shared existence, giving and receiving, actualizing the teachings that we have all learned, each of us committed to being and doing as the Divine Flow guides us to be each moment, responsive, loving, and wise, insha’allah.

Examples of Health Responses to the Ecosystem’s Needs

• Hosting dialogues that address needs and seek solutions.
• Mentoring new beloveds in your community.
• Starting a Reading & Writing group.
• Taking part in initiatives that help and inspire all beloveds.
• Create smaller circles that address different needs of community.
• Explore more ways to put the teachings into action on the ground.
• Make and spread peace in your community.
• Tend to the poor and needy where you live, be the mercy.
• Write an article like this one to share your thoughts and inspire others.
• Working the real soil out at the Land.
• Building community centers and places for zawiyya around the country.
• Community building across groups.
• Contribute to the Sidi archive project.
• Become a monthly donor.
• Show up, get engaged, give and do what inspires you.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Send us a message and let us help you better understand your options.

With love and gratitude,

Abdul Latif Howard, chairman