amin's journal

poetic virtues: simplicity, intensity, honesty
poetic vices: exaggeration, word play, sentamental-ism, false/forced originality

sometimes i think that great teachers are rarer than great artists, philosophers, or scientists. the vocation of true teachers has never been to compose poems, build philosophical systems, or solve complex mathematical equations. the true teacher is the prophet. his vocation is to transform lives by his mere being and exemplary existence. his giving is not secondhand. he does not transform through the intercession of his poems, thoughts, or astronomical discoveries. what he gives he gives of himself. his mere breath inflames the spirit.

I miss Amherst. Those three years have a special place in my life...
I'm reading a book on Imam Ali by Reza Shah-Kazemi. It's an insightful and well written book. I'm also reading a magnificent book on Ghzali by Ebrahim Moosa called "Ghazali's Poetics of Imagination".
Today I was reflecting on the 30 sessions I had with Slavin. It def did me a lot of good. If I had enough money I would certainly see him for 30 more sessions. He made me realize that some of the problems I face daily are actually the manifestations of some other deeper issues and not the problems themselves. However, he did not provide me with enough resources so that I could deal with these deeper issues internally.

going to london tomorrow. haven't been there in seven years...

Have started to read Ibn al-Arabi's Futuhat in the English translation. It's too soon to see what his impact will be on me. In my experiences of reading Ibn Arabi he has never grasped me - or maybe I've not grasped him - the way that Rumi, Hafez, Attar, Ghazali, Shams, or Ansari have penetrated my being. I find him a bit too theoretical; too concerned with metaphysics. However, from time to time there are some insights and hermeneutical readings that struck me. I should give it more time.

Religious language is the highest form of indirect communication. The divine Word is more a matter of metaphore than metaphysics.

turned 26 a few days ago...some reflections

what is your current state of mind...hopeful
who is the greatest love of your life...my brother
what is your most marked characteristic...aloofness
what do you value most in your friends...honesty
what is your greatest extravagance...books
which words or phrases do you most overuse..."nice", "interesting"
which talent would you most like to have...playing a musical instrument
what is it that you most dislike...selfishness
who are your heroes in real life...martyrs, saints, doctors, teachers
who are your favorite authors...rilke, dostoevsky, emerson, nietzsche, kierkegaard, whitman
for me an influential thinker of the past was…rousseau
a current major influence is…william james
what is the trait your most deplore in others...dishonesty
where would you like to live...isfahan (iran) or valais (switzeland)
what do you consider your greatest achievement...to have read [almost] every single word written down by emerson's pen
what is your motto...let go and let god

creative intuition vs critical intelligence

I prefer paperback editions to hardcover books. They are humbler.

Soroush is (trying to be) the Thomas Paine of Islam. A caricature of Paine of course, and like him very immature both intellectually and spiritually.

Discourse
Thought
Reflection
Meditation
Contemplation
Communion
Silence

There was supposed to be a mass demonstration in Tehran two days ago. Hope it went well.
Parveez Meshkatian has passed away. Made me really sad. Have been listening to him in the past few months. He was a good writer as well. Read a few of his essays online and liked them a lot.
Ramadan ended today. Did a complete reading of the Quran.

I have never liked summers. Hot weather has a really bad effect on me. Also, since childhood summers have been a time frustration, boredom, and aimlessness. However, I do enjoy summer afternoons. Autumn is my favorite season and winter nights and spring mornings my favorite times of the day.

Have been biking a lot recently. Went and bought a bike with Ben two weeks ago and it's done me good.

i'm on the verge. really on the verge.

Jews have Maimonides.
Christians have Augustine.
Muslims have Ghazali.