The
Practice of Adab
“From
a superficial view, adab might look like simple politeness or a
prescribed way of acting. But in fact, adab is based on the
relationship between the soul and God. Over time, this fundamental
inner relationship that includes humility, respect, devotion, and
continual watchfulness becomes part of our daily pattern of
behavior—our way of interacting with life, with each other, with
the path, and with the Absolute.”
Llewellyn
Vaughan-Lee (Not Knowing, Non-Being, and the Power of Nothingness;
Parabola, Fall 2015)
Adab
is a Sufi practice involving ones attitude and intention toward all
that is divine, which of course, is all that is, the Absolute. It
means literally, “courtesy of behavior.” In Islam, it is the
blessing invoked whenever the prophet's name is spoken, “Alaihi
Shalaam—Peace be upon him.” It also is said in greeting one
another.
In
Judaism, this greeting is “Shalom,” meaning “Peace.” In
Hindu, it is “Namaste,” meaning “I bow to the God within you.”
In our Christian churches, we greet one another with, “Peace be
with you,” and respond, “And also with you.” These are the words that Jesus used when he entered a room, or greeted his
disciples. Here in the deep South, we have secularized it to,
“Hello, how are you?” the response being, “Fine, thank you, and
you?” but it's often followed by, “Have a blessed day.”
In
all cases, these greetings are a recognition that God is at all times
present, and that we all share One Divine Consciousness. How would our life be different if they were spoken not routinely, but from the heart, and intended as an actual blessing? What if we
were to truly understand that each time our soul encounters another
living being, whether human or non, we are seeing God in disguise?
Would we be more respectful? Would reverence become our habit?
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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