003

Dikatakan, Hatim al-Ashamm menegaskan, "Janganlah kamu tertipu oleh tempat-tempat yang saleh, sebab tidak ada tempat yang lebih saleh daripada syurga, dan fikirkanlah apa yang telah menimpa adam di tempat yang begitu saleh! Jangan pula kamu tertipu oleh banyaknya amal ibadah; lihatlah apa yang menimpa iblis setelah dia begitu banyak beribadah. Juga, janganlah kamu tertipu oleh banyaknya ilmu, sebab Bal'aam pun mengetahui al-ismul a'zham, tetapi lihatlah apa yang terjadi kepadanya!Jangan kamu tertipu kerana bertemu dengan seorang yang saleh, sebab tidak ada orang yang takdirnya lebih agung dari al-musthafa s.a.w, namun berjumpa dengannya sama sekali tidak memberi manfaat kepada (sebahagian dari ) karib kerabat dan musuh-musuhnya."

O, God! We know indeed that seeking is never without its promise, how then could we fail to seek You, the author of all promises and the giver of all good gifts! We know well that the seeker does not always have to wander far afield since the more scared the object of his search, the nearer it is to him; and if he seeks You, O God, You are of all things most near! How then should the sinner dare to seek You, O God of righteousness! But therefore he seeks You, not as these others do, but seeks You in the confession of sins.

[Søren Kierkegaard's prayers, 1813-1855 ]

002

This picture shows a concept of dual aspectuality. People see what they want to see. Do you see (a) a duck or (b) a rabbit? However, we quite forget the fact (that), for every duck's bill - there is also a parellel aspect concerning the rabbit's ears.

[inspired by, spinoza's]

001

I.

Can death be sleep,

When life is but a dream,

And scenes of bliss pass as a phantom by?

The transient pleasures as a vision seem,

And yet we think the greatest pain's to die.

II.

How strange it is that man on earth should roam,

And lead a life of woe,

But not forsake His rugged path;

Nor dare he view alone His future doom which is but to awake.

[John Keats - December 30, 1816]