Browse Free Spiritual Event Listings For: James Fadiman and Robert Frager https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/tag/james-fadiman-and-robert-frager/ Free Mon, 07 Feb 2022 17:16:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/cropped-fsge-logo-32x32.png Browse Free Spiritual Event Listings For: James Fadiman and Robert Frager https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/tag/james-fadiman-and-robert-frager/ 32 32 Sultan and the Sheikh https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/spiritual-short-story-424-sultan-and-the-sheikh/ https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/spiritual-short-story-424-sultan-and-the-sheikh/#respond Sat, 18 Feb 2017 18:47:07 +0000 http://www.spiritual-short-stories.com/spiritual-short-story-424-sultan-and-the-sheikh/ Many years ago the sultan of the Ottoman Empire visited one of the great sheikhs of Istanbul. He was deeply impressed with the wisdom and sincerity of the sheikh and began coming regularly to the sheikh's gatherings.

After some time the sultan said, I have come to love you and your teachings. If there is ever anything you want or need, please ask me and I will provide it for you if it is in my power...

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]]> Many years ago the sultan of the Ottoman Empire visited one of the great sheikhs of Istanbul. He was deeply impressed with the wisdom and sincerity of the sheikh and began coming regularly to the sheikh's gatherings.

After some time the sultan said, I have come to love you and your teachings. If there is ever anything you want or need, please ask me and I will provide it for you if it is in my power. That was, in effect, a blank check from one of the wealthiest and most powerful men on earth.

The sheikh replied, Yes, there is one thing you can do for me. Please do not come back.

The astonished sultan asked, Have I done anything to offend you? If so, please accept my apologies.

The sheik replied, No, the problem is not you; it is my dervishes. Before you began visiting us, they would pray and chant to God, seeking only God's blessings. Now their minds are occupied with thoughts of pleasing you and receiving a reward from you. I have to ask you not to come back because we are not spiritually mature enough to handle your presence here.

This Sufi spiritual story is from the book Essential Sufism by James Fadiman and Robert Frager. In addition to excellent information about Sufism, there are also several more Sufi spiritual stories in it.

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]]> https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/spiritual-short-story-424-sultan-and-the-sheikh/feed/ 0 So Called Dragon Slayer https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/spiritual-short-story-425-so-called-dragon-slayer/ https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/spiritual-short-story-425-so-called-dragon-slayer/#respond Sat, 18 Feb 2017 18:47:07 +0000 http://www.spiritual-short-stories.com/spiritual-short-story-425-so-called-dragon-slayer/ A so-called dragon hunter went to the mountains to trap a dragon. He searched the mountains and finally discovered the frozen body of a great dragon in a cave high up one of the tallest peaks.

The man brought the body to Baghdad. He claimed he slew the dragon single-handed and...

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]]> A so-called dragon hunter went to the mountains to trap a dragon. He searched the mountains and finally discovered the frozen body of a great dragon in a cave high up one of the tallest peaks.

The man brought the body to Baghdad. He claimed he slew the dragon single-handed and exhibited it on the bank of the river. Hundreds of people came to see the dragon.

The warmth of the Baghdad sun gradually warmed the dragon's body, and it began to stir, coming slowly out of its winter sleep. The people screamed and stampeded, and many were killed. The dragon hunter was frozen in fear, and the dragon ate him in a single gulp.

This Sufi spiritual story is from the book Essential Sufism by James Fadiman and Robert Frager. In addition to excellent information about Sufism, there are also several more Sufi spiritual stories in it.

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]]> https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/spiritual-short-story-425-so-called-dragon-slayer/feed/ 0 Dervish and the Money https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/spiritual-short-story-421-dervish-and-the-money/ https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/spiritual-short-story-421-dervish-and-the-money/#respond Sat, 18 Feb 2017 18:47:01 +0000 http://www.spiritual-short-stories.com/spiritual-short-story-421-dervish-and-the-money/ A dervish was praying silently. A wealthy merchant, observing the dervish's devotion and sincerity, was deeply touched by him. The merchant offered the drevish a bag of gold. I know you will use the money for God's sake. Please take it.

Just a moment, the dervish replied. I'm not sure if it is lawful for me to take your money. Are you...

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]]> A dervish was praying silently. A wealthy merchant, observing the dervish's devotion and sincerity, was deeply touched by him. The merchant offered the drevish a bag of gold. I know you will use the money for God's sake. Please take it.

Just a moment, the dervish replied. I'm not sure if it is lawful for me to take your money. Are you a wealthy man? Do you have more money at home?

Oh yes. I have at least one thousand gold pieces at home, claimed the merchant proudly.

Do you want a thousand gold pieces more? asked the dervish.

Why yes, of course. Every day I work hard to earn more money.

And do you wish for yet a thousand gold pieces more beyond that?

Certainly. Every day I pray that I may earn more and more money.

The dervish pushed the bag of gold back to the merchant. I am sorry, but I cannot take your gold, he said. A wealthy man cannot take money from a beggar.

How can you call yourself a wealthy man and me a beggar? the merchant spluttered.

The dervish replied, I am a wealthy man because I am content with whatever God sends me. You are a beggar, because no matter how much you possess, you are always dissatisfied, and always begging God for more.

— By Sheikh Muzaffer

This Sufi spiritual story is from the book Essential Sufism by James Fadiman and Robert Frager. In addition to excellent information about Sufism, there are also several more Sufi spiritual stories in it.

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]]> https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/spiritual-short-story-421-dervish-and-the-money/feed/ 0 In the Hands of God https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/spiritual-short-story-422-in-the-hands-of-god/ https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/spiritual-short-story-422-in-the-hands-of-god/#respond Sat, 18 Feb 2017 18:47:01 +0000 http://www.spiritual-short-stories.com/spiritual-short-story-422-in-the-hands-of-god/ One day, the caliph Omar met a group of people who were sitting around doing nothing. He asked them who they were. We are of those who put their affairs in the hands of God, and we trust in God, they replied.

Indeed you do not! he retorted. You...

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]]> One day, the caliph Omar met a group of people who were sitting around doing nothing. He asked them who they were. We are of those who put their affairs in the hands of God, and we trust in God, they replied.

Indeed you do not! he retorted. You are nothing but freeloaders, parasites upon other people's efforts! Someone who truly trusts in God first plants seed in the belly of this earth, then puts his affairs in the hand of God, the Sustainer.

This Sufi spiritual story is from the book Essential Sufism by James Fadiman and Robert Frager. In addition to excellent information about Sufism, there are also several more Sufi spiritual stories in it.

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