Oblivion

I had forgotten God most of my life--work, play, concerns of everydayness, politics, philosophy, pleasures of mind and body--but not prayer, not reflecting on the source of existence. I became all body, I became all matter and was absorbed in the nearest. I hurt my body and soul in this way. When, late, I started prayer with understanding, I found out that this concentration on the origin of existence, this supplication to and worship of the Eternal Living, this standing in front of the Infinite, with understanding and experiencing it as the most Real--has had a purifying effect on me. Then one wants to do good--not for God's gifts only-- but we hope and desire these gifts of love, because if God doesn't love me, it is not important who else does, it will be hell.

"They will receive their Lord’s gifts because of the good they did before: sleeping only little at night, praying at dawn for God’s forgiveness, giving a rightful share of their wealth to the beggar and the deprived. On earth there are signs for those with sure faith––and in yourselves too, do you not see?––in the sky is your sustenance and all that you are promised. By the Lord of the heavens and earth! All this is as real as your speaking." (51:16-23)

“Even if they saw a piece of heaven falling down on them, they would say, ‘Just a heap of clouds,’ so leave them, Prophet, until they face the Day when they will be thunderstruck, the Day when their snares will be of no use to them, when they will get no help.  Another punishment awaits the evildoers, though most of them do not realize it.  Wait patiently [Prophet] for your Lord’s judgement: you are under Our watchful eye. Celebrate the praise of your Lord when you rise.  Glorify Him at night and at the fading of the stars.” (52:44-49)