In AD 80 Rome saw the opening of a huge amphitheatre, known as the colosseum. For almost four centuries this became the foremost place of enjoyment for the Romans. Bloody sports took…
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Simple thinking
A certain man who was fond of studying all kinds of systems of thought wrote to a Dervish Master, Abdul-Aziz of Mecca, asking whether he could talk to him in order to…
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Saving from peril
Hasan of Basra relates: ‘I had convinced myself that I was a man of humility and less than humble in my thoughts and conduct to others. ‘Then one day I was standing…
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Spirituality
Hasan came upon Rabia one day when she was sitting among several contemplators, and said, “I have the capacity of walking on water. Come, let us both go on to that water…
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The teacher
A man came to Bahaudin Shah and said, “First I followed this teacher and then that one. Next I studied these books and then those. I feel that although I know nothing…
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The real and the ideal
When a Zen master was weeping at the funeral of his favourite disciple, a young monk who saw him took him to task, saying, “I would have thought that you were beyond…
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The song of eternity
A monk was walking in the monastery grounds one day when he heard a bird sing. He listened, spellbound. It seemed to him that never before had he heard, but really heard,…
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Unanswered prayer
In ancient India much store was set by the Vedic rites, which were said to be so scientific in their application that when the sages prayed for rain there was never any…
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Prayers all
The village priest was a holy man so each time the people were in trouble they had recourse to him. He would then withdraw to a special place in the forest and…
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Prayer from the heart
Late one evening a poor farmer on his way back from the market found himself without his prayer book. The wheel of his cart had come off right in the middle of…