Life itself still remains a very effective therapist.
Sindh
Thursday, 26 June 2025
Monday, 23 June 2025
"فکر ایک چھوٹی چیز کو بڑا سایہ دیتی ہے" ---- AKSHR
"فکر ایک چھوٹی چیز کو بڑا سایہ دیتی
ہے"
ذہن میں سرگوشی شروع ہو جاتی ہے،
ایک ٹمٹماہٹ بیہوش، ایک بے رحم سوچ،
ایک چھوٹی سی چنگاری، اتنی چھوٹی، اتنی ہلکی -
پھر بھی شائقین کو خوف میں مبتلا کریں۔
بادلوں سے پاک آسمان، ایک دم بھرتا ہوا،
ایک طوفان بن جاتا ہے جو ہمیں نیچے لے جاتا ہے۔
ایک گزرا ہوا لفظ، ایک لمحہ چھوٹ گیا،
تیز اور ٹھنڈا بڑھتا ہے، سانپ کی ہس۔
چھوٹی چھوٹی چیزوں سے ڈالا ہوا سایہ
تصوراتی پروں کے ساتھ جنات کو بدل دیتا ہے۔
جس راستے پر ہم چلتے ہیں وہ کنکر
ہمارے سر پر پہاڑ بن جاتا ہے۔
کیا ہوگا اگر، ہم دوبارہ، دوبارہ پوچھیں،
اور خود کو پریت کے درد میں ڈوب جاتے ہیں۔
ہم مستقبل کو بھیس میں سجاتے ہیں۔
اور اپنی آہوں سے سرابوں کا پیچھا کریں۔
پھر بھی خوف شاذ و نادر ہی آتا ہے -
خوفناک طوفان، تباہ کن لہر۔
ہمارے ذہنوں میں سائے بڑھتے گئے
حقیقت پرسکون اور سچی رہی۔
اس لیے دن کو مسخ کرنے کا خوف نہ ہو،
اور نہ ہی آپ کی خوشی کو ضائع ہونے دیں۔
ایک خیال صرف ایک لمحاتی مہمان ہے -
اس کے لیے آرام کرنے کے لیے کمرہ نہ بنائیں۔
گہری سانس لیں، خاموش کھڑے رہیں، اور آہستہ سے جان لیں،
سچائی سائے کی نمائش نہیں ہے۔
کیونکہ جب ہم ایک مستحکم روشنی چمکاتے ہیں،
چھوٹی سے چھوٹی فکر نظروں سے اوجھل ہو جاتی ہے۔
Friday, 20 June 2025
The Third Temple: A Sacred Dream or a Dangerous Hope? ---- AKSHR
The Third Temple: A Sacred Dream or
a Dangerous Hope?
The concept of the Third Temple
is one of the most spiritually charged and politically sensitive subjects in
the world today. Rooted deeply in Jewish prophecy, history, and theology,
the Third Temple refers to a proposed rebuilding of the Jewish temple on Jerusalem’s
Temple Mount, following the destruction of the First Temple by the
Babylonians (586 BCE) and the Second Temple by the Romans (70 CE). While it
represents hope and redemption for many, it also raises tensions and
controversies that extend far beyond religion into global geopolitics.
Historical
Foundations
The First Temple, built by
King Solomon, was the spiritual center of ancient Israel. It housed the Ark
of the Covenant and was believed to be the earthly dwelling of God. Its
destruction led to exile and immense despair. The Second Temple, rebuilt
by the returning exiles and later expanded by Herod the Great, stood for
centuries until the Romans razed it.
According to Jewish eschatology,
the rebuilding of the Third Temple is closely tied to the coming of the Messiah
and the redemption of the world. Many religious Jews pray for this
restoration daily, facing Jerusalem and reciting verses that long for a return
to Zion.
Religious
Significance
For those who believe in it, the
Third Temple would restore the full religious practice of Torah-based
worship, including animal sacrifices, priestly duties, and festival
celebrations as described in Leviticus. It represents a direct connection
between God and humanity, symbolizing divine order, justice, and peace.
In Christian theology,
especially among some Evangelical groups, the Third Temple is also seen as a sign
of the end times, preceding the Second Coming of Christ. For Muslims,
however, the Temple Mount is home to Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock,
the third-holiest site in Islam, which makes any talk of rebuilding the Temple
on that location incredibly sensitive.
Modern-Day
Tensions
Today, the Temple Mount (Haram
al-Sharif) is a flashpoint for political and religious conflict. Controlled
by an Islamic Waqf under Jordanian custodianship, any attempt—real or
rumored—to alter the status quo can spark violence.
Movements like the Temple
Institute in Jerusalem actively promote preparations for the Third Temple,
including recreating sacred vessels, priestly garments, and studying
ancient rituals. They insist that its construction is a commandment from God,
not a provocation.
However, critics argue that
rebuilding the Temple could trigger a regional war, incite religious
extremism, and damage any remaining hope for Israeli-Palestinian peace.
A
Symbol of Unity or Division?
The Third Temple is not just a
structure—it’s an idea. To some, it embodies the longing for divine truth,
restoration, and justice. To others, it represents the risk of
conflict, domination, and religious nationalism.
Whether it remains a prophetic
hope, becomes a spiritual metaphor, or ever turns into a physical
reality, the Third Temple continues to stir emotions and shape the destiny
of nations. It reminds us that faith can both uplift humanity and ignite
its deepest divides.
In the heart of Jerusalem, where
three great religions meet, the dream of the Third Temple stands like a
flame—burning with hope, flickering with danger.
Vanishing Lifelines: A Silent Crisis Unfolding --- AKSHR
Vanishing Lifelines: A Silent Crisis
Unfolding
In the intricate web of existence,
certain elements serve as lifelines—not just for individuals but for
entire societies, ecosystems, and generations. These are the vital connections,
supports, and systems that sustain life, foster growth, and preserve balance.
Today, across the world, these lifelines are vanishing—quietly,
steadily, and often unnoticed until their absence becomes a disaster.
What
Are Lifelines?
Lifelines can be physical,
emotional, environmental, or social. They include:
- Rivers and forests
— the ecological arteries of the planet.
- Healthcare and education systems — the pillars of human well-being.
- Family, tradition, and moral values — the roots of community and identity.
- Peace, justice, and human rights — the foundations of civil society.
When these systems erode or
disappear, the impact is catastrophic, though often subtle at first. A
river dries. A forest is cut. A teacher leaves. A child loses hope.
Ecological
Lifelines at Risk
Climate change, deforestation,
pollution, and unsustainable exploitation are rapidly cutting the lifelines of nature.
Glaciers melt, oceans warm, biodiversity collapses—and yet the economic
machines push forward. The Earth is signaling distress, but our response
remains muted.
What happens when the lungs of the
planet—forests—are gone?
When the rivers no longer flow?
When pollinators vanish and crops fail?
Social
Lifelines Diminishing
In many societies, social
lifelines like community support, ethical leadership, and mental health
care are fraying. The rise of isolation, depression, misinformation, and
moral decay is no coincidence. A hyper connected world has ironically
become more disconnected at its core.
Traditional values that once acted
as moral compasses are dismissed as outdated. In the race for progress, we’ve
lost the very anchors that gave life meaning.
Economic
Inequality: A Broken Lifeline
Wealth gaps continue to widen. The
rich soar while the poor sink. Entire populations live without access to clean
water, nutrition, or shelter, while luxuries abound for a
few. The safety net—once considered a duty of governments and societies—is
vanishing, replaced by indifference.
Can We Restore the Lifelines?
The answer lies in awareness,
action, and compassion. We must:
- Protect natural resources like sacred trusts.
- Rebuild public institutions with integrity and care.
- Invest in human dignity, not just profits.
- Reconnect with values
that uplift, not divide.
Reviving these lifelines is not a
nostalgic pursuit—it’s a survival imperative. Without them, we face not
just inconvenience, but collapse.
A
Call to Attention
We often notice lifelines only when
they’re gone—when water doesn’t run, when peace no longer holds, when love is
replaced with loneliness. But by then, it may be too late.
The vanishing lifelines are a warning
cry, not just for today but for the future. We must listen, act, and
restore—while there is still time to breathe life back into what sustains us
all.
In every drop of water, in every
tree, every mother’s hand, every teacher’s voice—
There lies a lifeline.
Let it not vanish unheard.
Thursday, 19 June 2025
No One Is Like You AKSHR
No One Is Like
You
AKSHR
In all the stars the skies have
known,
In all the seeds the earth has sown,
Among the millions passing through—
There’s none, not one, who’s just like you.
No mirrored face, no echoed mind,
No soul with thoughts so pure, refined.
The way you laugh, the tears you hide,
The storm and stillness held inside.
You walk a path no feet have tread,
With dreams alive and fears you've fed.
Your voice, a song the world can’t steal,
Your scars, the proof you fought to feel.
The world may try to shape your
tone,
To make you someone not your own.
But roses bloom where wild winds blew—
Their beauty lies in being true.
You’re not a shadow, not a trace,
Not made to win another’s race.
You are a rhythm, raw and free,
A note in time’s vast symphony.
So wear your light, both bright and
dim,
Let silence speak, let hope not slim.
Stand tall—no need to chase or rue…
Because, dear soul,
No one is you.
Tuesday, 17 June 2025
"ایک زمین، ایک صحت کے لیے یوگا" ۔۔۔۔ اکشر
"ایک زمین، ایک صحت کے لیے یوگا
خاموشی اور گہری سانسوں میں،
ایک سرگوشی وادی سے پہاڑی تک بہتی ہے۔
زمین، ہمارا گھر، اتنا وسیع، اتنا نیلا،
آہستہ سے سرگوشی کی، "مجھے بھی تمہاری ضرورت ہے۔"
بٹے ہوئے اعضاء اور دل کی صف بندی کے ساتھ،
یوگا کے فن میں، ہمیں حقیقی سکون ملتا ہے۔
ہر سانس ایک بندھن، ہر ایک دعا،
ذہن کی دیکھ بھال کے ساتھ زمین کو ٹھیک کرنا۔
سورج صبح کے آسمان کو سلام کرتا ہے،
جیسے پرندے خاموش حلقوں میں اڑتے ہیں۔
ہم کھینچتے ہیں، ہم جھکتے ہیں، ہم محسوس کرتے ہیں، ہم دیکھتے ہیں،
وہ صحت ہمارے اتحاد میں ہے۔
کوئی دیواریں ہوا اور لہر کو تقسیم نہیں کرتی
قدرت نے جو دیا ہے کوئی لالچ اس کا مالک نہیں ہو سکتا۔
لیکن پھر بھی ہم لیتے ہیں اور پھر بھی جلتے ہیں
اسباق کو نظر انداز کرنا ہمیں سیکھنا چاہیے۔
پھر بھی یوگا قدیم فضل کے ساتھ آتا ہے،
ہمیں خاموشی، سچائی اور رفتار سکھانے کے لیے۔
کم کے ساتھ جینا، زیادہ ضائع نہ کرنا،
جنگل کے فرش کی روح کو محسوس کرنا۔
ایک زمین، ایک زندگی، ایک مقدس سانس،
بیماری سے لڑنا، موت کو فتح کرنا۔
صرف جسم کا نہیں دماغ کا
پیچھے رہ جانے والے دلوں کا علاج۔
تو چٹائی لپیٹ لو اور آنکھیں بند کرو،
سمندروں، درختوں اور نوزائیدہ بچوں کی چیخیں سنیں۔
وہ سب ایک ہیں اور ہم بھی
یوگا کے راستے سے، اتنا خالص، اتنا سچ۔
آئیے ایک بن کر اٹھیں، آپ یا میں نہیں،
لیکن اسی پرانے درخت کی شاخیں۔
ہر پوز میں، ایک گہری دولت-
ہم زمین کے لیے حرکت کرتے ہیں، ہم صحت کے لیے سانس لیتے ہیں۔
اکشر
Tuesday, 10 June 2025
The Darkest Truth Behind Sufism: A Closer Look at the Mystical Tradition --- AKSHR
The
Darkest Truth Behind Sufism: A Closer Look at the Mystical Tradition
Sufism, often romanticized as the
peaceful, mystical heart of Islam, is revered by many for its poetry, spiritual
practices, and message of love. Figures like Rumi, Al-Ghazali, and Ibn Arabi
have left behind legacies that continue to inspire millions. Yet beneath this
serene exterior lie complex, and at times troubling, truths—realities that
challenge the idealized vision of Sufism as wholly benign or apolitical.
1.
Co-optation by Power and Empire
While many Sufis have historically
distanced themselves from political power, numerous Sufi orders have also been
closely aligned with ruling regimes. During the Ottoman, Mughal, and Safavid
empires, various Sufi orders became instruments of state control and
legitimization. Their leaders were often granted land, titles, and authority in
exchange for loyalty. This entanglement led to spiritual elitism and
corruption, contradicting the Sufi ideals of humility and detachment from
worldly affairs.
2.
Internal Hierarchies and Abuse of Power
Many Sufi orders are built on rigid
spiritual hierarchies. The shaykh (spiritual master) wields considerable
authority over disciples, sometimes leading to psychological or even physical
exploitation. In some cases, the unquestioning devotion demanded by certain
orders has resulted in cult-like dynamics. Documented instances across North
Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East have revealed how some leaders
manipulate followers under the guise of spiritual guidance.
3.
Syncretism and Religious Conflict
Sufism has often integrated local
customs, folk beliefs, and practices from non-Islamic religions. While this
syncretism fostered spiritual inclusivity and adaptability, it has also led to
accusations of heresy and innovation (bid'ah) by more orthodox
Muslims. This tension has, at times, escalated into sectarian violence—both against
Sufis and instigated by Sufi orders themselves against heterodox groups,
especially during medieval times when religious boundaries were heavily
policed.
4.
Suppression of Dissent and Intellectual Freedom
In some periods, Sufi establishments
became gatekeepers of religious orthodoxy. Paradoxically, while early Sufis
were often rebels and ascetics critical of formalism, later institutionalized
Sufism could be deeply conservative. Dissenting thinkers—mystics who deviated
from the “approved” teachings of the order—were sometimes silenced or declared
heretical.
For example, the controversial
execution of Mansur Al-Hallaj in the 10th century—famously martyred for
saying "Ana al-Haqq" ("I am the Truth")—is often cited as
an example of how Sufi institutions themselves could not tolerate unorthodox
mysticism once they became mainstream.
5.
Gender Inequality and Misogyny
While some Sufi traditions elevated
female mystics like Rabia al-Adawiyya, most orders have remained
patriarchal. Women's participation is often limited or completely excluded,
especially in more conservative branches. In some contexts, Sufi shaykhs have
exercised inappropriate control over female followers, using spiritual
authority as a shield for misconduct—issues that have come to light in recent
decades through journalistic and academic investigations.
6.
Commercialization and Modern Exploitation
Today, Sufism has become a global
commodity. From spiritual retreats in the West to cultural tourism in countries
like Turkey and Morocco, Sufism is often marketed in ways that dilute or
distort its essence. The commercialization of whirling dervishes, for instance,
has turned a sacred ritual into entertainment. Worse still, some modern “Sufi
gurus” have exploited seekers, peddling pseudo-mysticism for profit under the
guise of authenticity.
Light and Shadow in the Sufi Tradition
Sufism is a rich and diverse
spiritual path with genuine contributions to Islamic philosophy, poetry, and
ethics. However, like any human institution, it has not been immune to
corruption, power struggles, and abuse. To understand Sufism fully, one must
see both its luminous ideals and its darker realities. Only by acknowledging
these complexities can one engage with the tradition honestly—and perhaps
preserve its more authentic and transformative elements in an age of spiritual
confusion and commodification. AKSHR
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