In recent posts about his travels, and comparing the East and West, Hazrat Inayat Khan has given us clear insights into their characteristics. Here he continues the theme, describing something of the spiritual training that he knew from the East.

‘Verily the believers are brethren.’
   – Quran

In the East religion is sown in the heart of the child from birth, no matter to what religion he may belong. The invocation of the name of God becomes a daily custom, which he consciously or unconsciously repeats, in sorrow as well as in joy. ‘Bismillah‘ – In the name of Allah, or ‘al-hamdulillah’ – Praise be to Allah, or ‘Allahu akbar‘ – God is great, and ‘ya Allah’ – O God; such expressions as these are used at the beginning and the end, as well as in the midst of every ordinary conversation. This attunes the believer and even attracts the unbeliever to the thought of God, which in the end leads the seeker to self-realization and the peace of God.

In good homes morality is taught to every child in unity with religion; by checking all its egoistic leanings it teaches the child to become humble, modest and respectful.

There is a little story told of the grandson of the Holy Prophet. The child, on addressing a slave by name, was corrected by his grandfather, who exclaimed, ‘Nay, those are not good manners; although he is a slave he is older that you, so you must call him ‘uncle’.’

If this courtesy were practiced in modern civilized countries such as America, where a strong prejudice against color exists, how much better it would be for the nation! Courtesy to strangers is taught as a virtue in the East, while the selfishness of modern civilization prevents strangers from entering Western countries without fear. This is quite an inhuman tendency, and reminds one of dogs who bark and drive away a stranger from their own habitation.

Overlooking the faults of others with politeness, tolerance, forgiveness, and resignation is regarded as a moral virtue in the East. Man’s heart is visualized as the shrine of God, and even a small injury in thought, word, and deed against it is considered as a great sin against God, the Indwelling One. Gratitude is shown by the loyalty of the Orient, and by being true to the salt; the hospitality of a day is remembered throughout all the years of life, while the benefactor never forgets humility even in the midst of his good deeds. There is an Eastern saying, ‘Forget thy virtues and remember thy sins.’

To be continued…