Inner journey starts...

On 16 May 2013 18:00, Abu Noohu wrote:

My Islamic Greetings to my fellow Muslim Bros & Sisters.. Assalamu'alaikum Wr Wb. and to My non Muslim friends.... Good day to U folks.

There was an email from Bro Abu Bakr about sharing the personal experience at the retreat in Pulau Besar, so i am putting my thoughts in words. There are many wonderful things to say, but this just comes up as i write.

Just like everyone else I was eagerly waiting for 10 May for not sure what will be the outcome at the end of the 4 days trip. But surely the experience must be good simply because I, together with the rest will be in the presence of our Shakyh. 

Alot of preparation and planing, organizing & coordination, these are no easy tasks but the organizing committee did a great job. Hat off to Sisters : Siti, Ju, Zahara and of coz Bros Abu Bakr and Hamid. It was a great team work in the background which made the event a successful one. I have nothing but praises for the work well done especially the stay in the chalet and the meals, though simple but it brought my thoughts to reminiscence the time while i was growing up in the 70s. Those good old days.......

I was never a regular in my meditation, and it is usually the same old excuses of work, family and what not. But i made it a point that i will practice a couple of months before the trip. I wanted to do so after one of Saturday's group meeting when Bro Syed Masud shared his experience. By now everyone will know he is man of many years of experience with deep knowledge in Islamic teachings and Sufism practices. He is a man who always want to give and share his learning and never want to hide. So there i went home one night after that Saturday meeting to start my murakaba loyally with truthful conviction. For at least if i stand in front of Shakyh and could answer him that I have 2 months for murakaba experience.. better than nothing rite :) !!

So with this menial experience i board the bus on Fri morning 10th of May with me were 14 others and 1 of them a new face ( Sis Taran) whom I thought at that time she skipped school to join us in this trip...seriously ! More new faces to the names we heard before and soon to be a part of a one big family

The moment of truth we all been waiting for was after the Friday prayers, the arrival of our beloved Shakyh. I have always have pleasant surprises each time when i meet Shakyh in person. His aura is ever glowing looking different always in his eloquent best. Humble, down to earth always smiling accepting the ones willing to learn and guiding them to path of bliss. He looked youthful from my precious meeting and I wonder how he achieved that. The sense of awe when i took his hand to give my rightful salam and respect. Deep in my heart I whispered..... " Shekyh, I 'm here to be changed please guide me". He smiled at me with acceptance.

23 of us all of different walks of life and each face has a story to tell but one common goal to be guided to be closer to our Creator. Many young ones and not so young ones with diverse background in the 4 days to be energized, transformed be inspired  to the next level of blissful living.

I came to this path back in 29 Oct 2011 when Shekyh made his visit to Singapore. The Teacher is there and ready to impart while i was not. I could have then be geared and follow the teachings with regular practice. But as the saying goes .. The heart is willing but the Flesh is weak, who else to be blamed.. its I , me and myself. Now that i have been practicing for the last couple of months and I want to achieve a change for a better in this group retreat. 

You see, in a group session like this elsewhere, one will feel motivated. Tell me about it, I have been to tons of talks and seminars. But the feelings mellow down soon after and life is back to mundane routine. But the retreat in Pulau Besar was different in many ways for me. I was charged up, spirituality that makes this retreat very special & close to my heart.  Reason being, firstly the visit to Makkam Hadzrat Sultan-al Arifin Shaikh Syed Ismail ( r.a ). I stood there totally mesmerized, feeling of satisfaction being present with this great awliya. My heart was pounding faster as i walked up towards his grave but soon realized the clam feeling as i closed my eyes and stood there for sometime to receive his blessings. I have heard of  this blessed place before and being there for the first time and i can only concur the feelings of the people who have visited his makkam. I experienced something different this time when i had my one on one session with Shakyh. As always smiling he looked to me as he knows what i was about to tell him. In the slightly over 30 minutes with him i felt his energy being transmitted to me. I shared with him my practices and seek his advice on couple of issues. I was glad that he was there and it was only later after maghrib during the murakaba I feel the meditation till this day is different from my previous practices. Word can't describe it but i feel the change has taken place for a better. Next was the Q & A session, another learning experience.   Good questions were raised only because they are hungry to seek  knowledge. Equally when I see Shaykh answering the Qs, they just flow from his heart to his lips with ease.  He quotes from valid sources with thoughtful examples , very enriching to listen to his answers.

There are many other learning experiences that I took away during the retreat. The people whom i have met in this trip have made me realize anything is doable as far as you put your heart as soul to it. I stand now more stronger and very determined and have set some personal goals for myself.  I hope this time next year, i would be able to achieve these goals, Insya Allah. Yes, bro Hamid, swimming is one of them and thank U for being my coach for a day. I woke up the following day aching all over :(

 The B5 block where Bros Jilani, Kamal, Syed Masud , Mydeen and myself were on the 2nd floor. Just before lights off at night, we all gather and share experiences  and these were food for thoughts and retire to bed to look forward for next day. Not forgetting Bros Gani and Douglas sharing the holistic aspects of well being . I think we have a power packed audience in this retreat . Bro Manap your motivation talk and Sis Zahara kitting  skills are some other people whom i can think of. Perhaps next year when we gather again, get these people to share the life skills during the free time we have. 

On 13 May on my way back from PB to mainland, in the ferry i just couldn't help but to replay all the wonderful memories. As PB gets smaller and put behind me as i approached the mainland, these fond moments will stay with me for many many years to come. 

I thank everyone for being part of me in this journey and wish U well and success in your endevour 

Not sure if i have captured all the emails but these are the ids from the previous mail.

Wassalam

regards

Abu