So Im pretty stoked about the fact that out of my class of 10 students, 4 students have finished The Autobiography of Malcolm X a month before schedule, 2 students are ahead of schedule, 3 students are relatively on schedule and only 1 student lost the book!
This is what I was thinking for their final assignment prompt:
Write an essay discussing the theme of love in The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Where are the instances of love that developed the man we have come to know and admire as Malcolm X?
Please comment. What do you think?
Sunday, January 28, 2007
which superhero are you?
Hmmmm.....kind of amusing. I guess a small part of soul searching is taking part in these online quizzes....nah.......
Your results:
You are Batman
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz
Your results:
You are Batman
| You are dark, love gadgets and have vowed to help the innocent not suffer the pain you have endured.  |
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz
Saturday, January 27, 2007
admirable children
In Pakistan, children enter the life of vagabondage at an early age. Its easy when nobody cares about you. Many children are simply expected to grow up and become laborers, so there is no vested interest in advancing things we take for granted like education. That's also partly due to the fact that poorer families need additional sources of income, so their children start working as shoe polishers, delivery boys, "sales" persons (selling sunglasses, little toys, socks), and beggars. Its a sad and imprisoning cycle of which there is seldom escape.
In Multan, my cousin Riaz bhai and his family have brought in a young boy to work in their home. Altaf is actually from our village, #65, and he used to spend most of his time roaming aimlessly, playing marbles, and occasionally helping his family to cut wood. His life, like many others his age, was void of an education and learning. Was it void of love too?
In my cousin's home, he is like their fifth son. He does many of the household chores, he is well fed, clothed. My cousin's wife, Shamshad baji, has been teaching Altaf how to read Urdu and Arabic. He is scolded and disciplined; for when he would sneak food to snack on for later or cut corners in his chores. In play, Riaz bhai does his signature slap on Altaf's back real hard so it makes this pop sound. I know because Riaz bhai does the same to us. It hurts so bad it feels good. It feels like love.
We all went to Village #65 from Multan. Altaf came also to visit his family. One morning my nephews, my brother, and I walked over to his place to pick him up. When his parents called for him signaling that we were here to pick him up, he came running out, hugged us and said, "Lets go."
"Umm, Altaf did you finish your breakfast?" we asked. He thought about it for a second, and went back inside. We waited for about five minutes. He came back out and said, "Lets go."
"Umm, Altaf did you say goodbye to everyone?" we asked. He thought about it for a second, and went back inside to say goodbye. He came back out and said, "Lets go."
At first I thought that maybe there was never any love for him in his family. How his life was already a dead-end waiting to hit before coming to Multan and how easily he walked away from them to be with us that morning. Then I thought about it some more. Altaf's biological parents did love him, because they agreed to send him to a place which would be better for him. An environment that would help him grow, an environment where he could learn, an enviornment where he could be loved more than even in his own home.
But it was Altaf's gratitude that struck me more than anything. I have never seen a happier worker. Seriously. A reminder for me especially, to be thankful because we've got opportunity here. Young people like him that recognize such signs of mercy are only to be admired.
In Multan, my cousin Riaz bhai and his family have brought in a young boy to work in their home. Altaf is actually from our village, #65, and he used to spend most of his time roaming aimlessly, playing marbles, and occasionally helping his family to cut wood. His life, like many others his age, was void of an education and learning. Was it void of love too?
In my cousin's home, he is like their fifth son. He does many of the household chores, he is well fed, clothed. My cousin's wife, Shamshad baji, has been teaching Altaf how to read Urdu and Arabic. He is scolded and disciplined; for when he would sneak food to snack on for later or cut corners in his chores. In play, Riaz bhai does his signature slap on Altaf's back real hard so it makes this pop sound. I know because Riaz bhai does the same to us. It hurts so bad it feels good. It feels like love.
We all went to Village #65 from Multan. Altaf came also to visit his family. One morning my nephews, my brother, and I walked over to his place to pick him up. When his parents called for him signaling that we were here to pick him up, he came running out, hugged us and said, "Lets go."
"Umm, Altaf did you finish your breakfast?" we asked. He thought about it for a second, and went back inside. We waited for about five minutes. He came back out and said, "Lets go."
"Umm, Altaf did you say goodbye to everyone?" we asked. He thought about it for a second, and went back inside to say goodbye. He came back out and said, "Lets go."
At first I thought that maybe there was never any love for him in his family. How his life was already a dead-end waiting to hit before coming to Multan and how easily he walked away from them to be with us that morning. Then I thought about it some more. Altaf's biological parents did love him, because they agreed to send him to a place which would be better for him. An environment that would help him grow, an environment where he could learn, an enviornment where he could be loved more than even in his own home.
But it was Altaf's gratitude that struck me more than anything. I have never seen a happier worker. Seriously. A reminder for me especially, to be thankful because we've got opportunity here. Young people like him that recognize such signs of mercy are only to be admired.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
divine mercy is manifest
Stop talking for just a second. Please think about that title. I have a story to go along with it, I just realized I dont feel comfortable writing about it right now.
Appreciate the little things. Like the fact that you are alive.
Appreciate the little things. Like the fact that you are alive.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
in between two realms of darkness
in between two realms of darkness
a humble candle
struggles to burn brilliantly
they warned her, burn gentle or you'll kill yourself
the candle replied,
to live out my life dim is my only death
even to glow like the sun for a second
you and i will both know
that i truly lived
a humble candle
struggles to burn brilliantly
they warned her, burn gentle or you'll kill yourself
the candle replied,
to live out my life dim is my only death
even to glow like the sun for a second
you and i will both know
that i truly lived
Sunday, January 21, 2007
sacrifice
This year, we celebrated Eid-ul-Adha in my father's village in Pakistan. Village #65. Very different than in the States on a bunch of different levels, but one of the most obvious was observing the sacrifice. Not very common out here to bring a goat in your front lawn and...you know....do the deed.
When the second goat was being taken away, all the goats started "baaah-ing" like crazy. And just like your supposed to, everyone was very careful not to get the goat too excited, in order to limit the suffering of the animal. No knives were shown, the sacrifices were done outside where other animals cant see....but still the goats went nuts. Do they know whats happening?
Life grows, life goes.
Its harder to kill something that you've raised and taken care of. I mean jeez, I was just feeding and playing with the goats for like 3 days before slaughter and I was trippin out!
One admires the obedience of Abraham to accept serving out the order from God to sacrifice his son. From what we know, he put aside his personal feelings to do what he had to do.
I also remember the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita. Basically, Arjuna is doubting his role as a warrior right before a very important battle. He does not want to fight because it happens to be against his friends, family, and teachers. Lord Krishna then advises Arjuna on universal harmony and duty; that only through taking action and fighting that battle for justice will he surrender himself to the greater unity with the divine aka achieving enlightenment. Arjuna's own fear and hesitation is what impedes his step towards realizing the greater truth.
The only thing stopping us from exploring the truth is ourselves...
When the second goat was being taken away, all the goats started "baaah-ing" like crazy. And just like your supposed to, everyone was very careful not to get the goat too excited, in order to limit the suffering of the animal. No knives were shown, the sacrifices were done outside where other animals cant see....but still the goats went nuts. Do they know whats happening?
Life grows, life goes.Its harder to kill something that you've raised and taken care of. I mean jeez, I was just feeding and playing with the goats for like 3 days before slaughter and I was trippin out!
One admires the obedience of Abraham to accept serving out the order from God to sacrifice his son. From what we know, he put aside his personal feelings to do what he had to do.
I also remember the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita. Basically, Arjuna is doubting his role as a warrior right before a very important battle. He does not want to fight because it happens to be against his friends, family, and teachers. Lord Krishna then advises Arjuna on universal harmony and duty; that only through taking action and fighting that battle for justice will he surrender himself to the greater unity with the divine aka achieving enlightenment. Arjuna's own fear and hesitation is what impedes his step towards realizing the greater truth.
The only thing stopping us from exploring the truth is ourselves...
Saturday, January 20, 2007
goodbyes and hellos
Once upon a time, someone asked me, "Did you study tasawwuf when you were in Egypt?" I remember impulsively replying, "No. Not formally. I mean, I think that just being there and observing things and letting things affect you so you reflect and appreciate life....I guess thats kind of like studying tasawwuf. Im sure that if you really wanted to, you can go and study with someone like you study fiqh." I thought to myself, wait did I just say that? Huh?
Less than a week ago, I came back from a 25 day "vacation" in Pakistan. Its been 6 and a half years since Ive been back there. Upon my return, I thought about that tiny dialogue I had about tasawwuf. I believe in that answer now more than ever before.
How do you teach someone what love is? How do you teach someone what taqwa (God-consciousness) is? How do you purify your heart, your mind, your soul? You just got to do it! You just got to experience it man! Its all there! Open mind open heart. Think and feel freely. Let things affect you so it helps you grow.
That would be the most ideal wouldnt it? The next best thing.....learning and reflecting from the experiences and reflections of others. So I figured I would share some simple relfections over time with you my dear friends, my family, my comrades, my dawgs. I am a searcher just like you.
Egypt and Pakistan were completely different experiences. I have no attachment to Egypt, but Pakistan is home to my blood relatives. My parents came from there. And I came from my parents.
Observation # 1: Goodbyes are hard. They really are. When we were leaving, I felt a knot tighten in my stomach as I stood there and watched my parents fight back tears as they part once again from those that raised them. Leave the place that was their comfort zone. Go back to their lives in this strange place called America. A place they will never completely understand.
I can only imagine what was going through their heads. "Will I ever see you again? Maybe, maybe not but I hope to God that I do. Please take care until then. Please?"
What a sacrifice. Economic opportunity, a better life. A decision that was made with us, their future children, in mind. Dont know if I could ever do that. I think a lot of us are here in the States for that reason....or am I alone on this?
Everything happens for a reason. Now you're here. What have you been doing about it? What are you going to do about it? What are we going to do about it? Lets do something about it. I really want to do something about it.
Less than a week ago, I came back from a 25 day "vacation" in Pakistan. Its been 6 and a half years since Ive been back there. Upon my return, I thought about that tiny dialogue I had about tasawwuf. I believe in that answer now more than ever before.
How do you teach someone what love is? How do you teach someone what taqwa (God-consciousness) is? How do you purify your heart, your mind, your soul? You just got to do it! You just got to experience it man! Its all there! Open mind open heart. Think and feel freely. Let things affect you so it helps you grow.
That would be the most ideal wouldnt it? The next best thing.....learning and reflecting from the experiences and reflections of others. So I figured I would share some simple relfections over time with you my dear friends, my family, my comrades, my dawgs. I am a searcher just like you.
Egypt and Pakistan were completely different experiences. I have no attachment to Egypt, but Pakistan is home to my blood relatives. My parents came from there. And I came from my parents.
Observation # 1: Goodbyes are hard. They really are. When we were leaving, I felt a knot tighten in my stomach as I stood there and watched my parents fight back tears as they part once again from those that raised them. Leave the place that was their comfort zone. Go back to their lives in this strange place called America. A place they will never completely understand.
I can only imagine what was going through their heads. "Will I ever see you again? Maybe, maybe not but I hope to God that I do. Please take care until then. Please?"
What a sacrifice. Economic opportunity, a better life. A decision that was made with us, their future children, in mind. Dont know if I could ever do that. I think a lot of us are here in the States for that reason....or am I alone on this?
Everything happens for a reason. Now you're here. What have you been doing about it? What are you going to do about it? What are we going to do about it? Lets do something about it. I really want to do something about it.
jet lag stinks
I cant sleep. Jet lag stinks. Mind is full, stomach is empty. Let it out! Let it out! Let it out! I want to play with legos all day, let water fall on my head indefinitely, bang the hell out of my tabla, read all the books on my bookshelf, master my flow.
Patience Naveed. God mentions it 114 times in the Holy Qur'an. Payshens. Paaaaaayyyyyyshenssss.
I dont have to change the world by myself. I just need to change one person who will go on to change the world. Payshens. Why dont you just change yourself? Hmmmm......
Mr. Kant, your categorical imperative goes more than just skin deep. Can I type myself to sleep?
Patience Naveed. God mentions it 114 times in the Holy Qur'an. Payshens. Paaaaaayyyyyyshenssss.
I dont have to change the world by myself. I just need to change one person who will go on to change the world. Payshens. Why dont you just change yourself? Hmmmm......
Mr. Kant, your categorical imperative goes more than just skin deep. Can I type myself to sleep?
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