Question:
As salaamu’alaikum. During a weekend workshop in association with Sheikh Hassan Dyck from Germany the mystical notion of “die before you die” was explored and I started to grasp a sense of what it might mean, (relative to my extremely narrow understanding, of course.) During these workshops and in the presence of some of these Sheikhs, particularly Sheikh Nazim, I can experience expansion, beauty, understanding, fluidity and connectedness (amongst many other things) and it is deeply fullfilling, but on a practical level things just seem to get out of control or don’t get done! As a busy mother and housewife I wanted to ask; is it actually possible to “die before you die” and still function practically in the mundane world? Or is this state for people who are in retreat or not parenting or in particular circumstances? Thank you for your time and patience and may yoube blessed.
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
Insha-Allah, that reality is open to any believer–male or female, mother or father. Yet, everyone’s path is different and our Shuyukh guide us based on our destiny. Keep trying through muraqaba to connect your heart to Mawlana and experience that beauty, with which comes enlightenment. You may do that any time of the day you are free. Don’t be discouraged if progress is slow, be consistent and Allah will reward you.
Dr. Aziz Hussein
