culture

Just as DNA is the coding of life, so culture is the encoding of a society: where it has been, where it might go, and where it is right now.
When you remove, delete, or ignore the components of a culture – the visual, performing and literary arts, you take away the unifying heart of that society. Without its heart and memory, that society will quickly devolve to the lowest common denominator, making education subservient to the state or worse.

Nafs Management

We are professional get-in-the-wayers, We know very well how to block Allah's blessings so we can think "I am an individual and I can do it myself." Well, there are some things you do need to do that, but it's like the actor forgetting that she is wearing a mask, and can't remember to take it off.

Being Present

There is nothing like one's impending death to focus one's mind. Pick a day when you have some open time, and imagine that these are your last hours on earth. Each breath you take is your last one. Each tree, bush, person, rock is the last you will ever see. Each person you look at is the last time you will ever have the opportunity to say hello or goodby.
This is IT. There is no more after this moment. Your purpose here has been fulfilled and you are being recalled back to where you came from. You have no more time. Time is done. When you go to sleep there will be no more waking up. This is a terminal situation, and you will not survive.
Enjoy this moment, because there will be no other like it.