*sorry for being a day late
Welcome to this week’s 5BF: God’s truest devotees, on intrusive
thoughts and ways to keep them out, chess and its addictiveness, and more…
1 – what I read
Sufism by Sadia Dehlvi - While Dehlvi’s book isn’t a telling account of what Sufism
really is at its core, which I assume is impossible to put into words, it is
nevertheless a decorative, pure, and buoyant account of the Sufis and their
different orders, all of which link back to Prophet Muhammad himself. This book
disappointed me because in its enlightenment, I understood how unhopeful my
chances of ever being a true, even if not a practicing, Sufi are.
2 – this week’s article
How to deal with troubling thoughts @psyche.co – so very
often our own inner voices, originating from God knows where, probably from self-hatred
and doubt, become our worst enemies. Ever present and persistent, these voices
can really damage a person’s wellbeing – which makes this article all the more
attractive, since in this article there’s not only knowledge about these
intrusive thoughts but simple and practical ways on how to deal with them.
3 – a few thoughts
Chess: a game infinitely complex and scattered, requiring
both specific and spread attention from the person playing – one who’s in
his/her most concentrated state ever. Both frustrating and addictive, chess has
been a routine board-game in our sit-ups, since a few of our friends picked up
on it after Netflix’s brilliant TV series ‘Queen’s Gambit’. What’s likelihood of
me pursuing it though?
Covid-19: without the availability of sufficient doses of
vaccine for everyone, everywhere, this by now frustrating pandemic, I am
afraid, will continue itself into 2022 as well. Rich countries having availed
sufficient or more so doses of vaccines, and the poor countries refusing to go
into lockdown, the coronavirus is winning the game here. The seriousness of
this virus should by now be well felt.
Eid Pressure: it is almost threatening, or at least
stressful, when one awaits Eid amidst unsure emotions. Would one enjoy Eid, as
one is supposed to? Or would it be another of those later teenage Eids where
frustration and sulking take the upper hand? A few winning moments are I think
what we should aim and be satisfied with.
4 – what I watched
Nobody (2021) – If you’ve watched John Wick and loved it,
you will love this movie more. Starring Bob Odenkirk as normal, everyday dad,
who is an auditor, rides metro to his work, and drinks coffee, this movie turns
the table on itself when the real Odenkirk comes out and kicks everyone’s ass! A
most fun action movie I have seen in a long while.
5 – this week’s quote
One’s duty to God increases in proportion to the graces
bestowed.
– Raza Shah Kazemi (Justice and Remembrance)