FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE
There is a tree beside my house. I call it the 'Spiritual Tree'. I derive spiritual inspiration from it. A tree is an ever-growing being that was initially a seed possessing the potential of becoming a full-grown tree. A seed takes food from the universe around it and then grows into a tree. The same is true with spirituality, the desire for which is intrinsic to, and an integral part of, the very nature of, every human being. To realize this spirituality, Man must derive spiritual food from the universe around him. A tree converts carbon-dioxide into oxygen; a spiritual person is one who can take positive lessons from negative situations. From this perspective, a tree is an embodiment of a spiritual personality. —Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
CONVERSION TO GOD
THE sun is nature’s laboratory, in which atomic reaction converts matter into energy and light. Cows are a living laboratory in which grass is converted into milk. Trees are also a laboratory of nature, which take in water, minerals and gases and convert them into blossoms and fruits.
God requires man to undergo the same process of conversion as the sun, trees and animals undergo with such perfection. But there is one difference: in other things, conversion is an instinctive process, whereas in man it is a conscious one; in other things conversion occurs on a material plane, whereas in man it occurs on a spiritual plane.
The Creator of the universe requires us to see His reflection in the mirror of His creation. Facts may enter our minds as information, but we should convert this information into knowledge of God.
Normally, we just observe the outside world, but we should do more than just observe. The Creator of the universe requires us to see His reflection in the mirror of His creation. Facts may enter our minds as information, but we should convert this information into knowledge of God. When we are successful in this world, we should attribute our success wholly to God. When we fail we should, through our failure, acknowledge our helplessness. When we have cause for complaint against somebody, our inner mechanism should convert resentment into forgiveness and pardon.
A land which converts earth into trees is fertile; a land which does not do so is sterile. So it is with man. Whoever is able to awaken his inner mechanism in such a way that it begins to convert raw matter into sublime matter is a person who can look forward to heaven when he comes before God and the one who does not do so will be deprived of this blessing.
