This month, we’ll resume  our series: Art, Stories & Body Whispers® .

As you know by now, to follow along, you will need a blank-page journal or sketch book and some basic colours or collage materials. Every month we will explore a theme using art exercise and stories, sometimes I will suggest songs, poetry,  or traditional wisdom that will add some insight to the theme. Finally, we’ll discuss common Body whispers® related to the theme we are exploring.

This month is about soul yearning and daring to live.

Years ago, my cousins and I used to rent a small boat from the shores of the Alexandrian sea. The fisherman would warn us, “you can row far and wide, but never cross the boughaz (the inlet)” – this was a small opening in the wall of the breakwater rocks that the city had instilled years ago to protect its shores from the raging sea…. The Alexandrian coastlines were thus tamed and peaceful. Still, its sea was vast and wide… you can safely row for hours and hours and stop your boat to fish and cast your net… You’re safe and protected as long as you don’t cross the inlet - the boughaz!
Yet, crossing we did… EVERY SINGLE TIME… We couldn’t help it… Those bunch of rebellious kids who wanted to experiment with the unknown. As soon as we got the hang of our tiny boat, we row and row away from the shore and out of sight right through the boughaz… it’s a whole new world out there, a magical feeling. In just a few seconds, you are thrown into the wild and the Mediterranean shows its true face, its untamed and scary side. It is much more alive than the boring smooth waters of the safe coastlines. Once we've tried it, we could never enjoy the tamed sea again… we had to cross the inlet every time we’re out in the sea… and, it was our little secret. The beauty, serenity, and the peacefulness of the vast blue waters that meant the world to everyone, was but a boring illusion that kept us away from the true taste of the mysterious world – a world with no boundaries – the true Mediterranean – the True Sea, we yearned for.

Decades later, I am wondering where this adventurous rebellious girl went… I can’t remember how many times I surfed art supplies stores buying art supplies and stocking them in my already busy drawers and tool boxes. When I decide to finally paint, I open my tool box, gaze at my endless materials and think: “No… these are too precious, I’ll save them for a more serious project.” And, guess what! This ‘more serious project’ never comes. My paints, glue cans, and mediums wait in their safe storage until they dry up and flake, until they turn from precious to useless waiting for the ‘perfect moment’ that never came, and may never come.
Of course “art supplies” here are but a metaphor for everything in life… every new adventure, opportunity, dream, passion… that we stock in our safe drawers waiting of the perfect time. Kind of like the story of the poor fisherman throwing away the big fishes he catches as he only has a tiny frying pan at home. The big fishes just won’t fit!!!

The most important lesson I learned from my art classes at the faculty of Fine Art back home is to be bold, to take risks. You are faced with a blank canvas, you could paint it any way you wish. If you choose dull, monotonous colors just to ‘be on the safe side’, you will end up with a boring lifeless painting. “What if I mess up? What if I used the wrong colors?” I asked. “Just add a fresh new layer,” my professor calmly answered. Accidental mistakes and bad choices in art, like in life, are revealing strokes. They teach us and force us out of our comfort zone, “see them not as mistakes, rather as opportunities,” my professor taught.

I’m wondering whether the beauty, safety, and comfort of our modern life became but a boring illusion… a veil that denies our soul its yearning of crossing the boughaz, of reaching out for its True Sea?

You might have already guessed our art project for today… Open up a new page spread in your art journal and just pour a blob of random paint - any random color… better yet a color that you don’t really care for.
Then, close the journal while the paint is still wet and open it up again.
Now that you created a mess, use more colours, paint, scribbles, collage, whatever you fancy and turn this blob of random mess into a monster. Yes, a monster!

Remember, there is no right or wrong way of doing it. Your art could be realistic or abstract… don’t worry about the drawing skills… don’t worry about colouring inside the lines, perspective or proportions… just freely capture the feelings you are experiencing.
Take your time and then jot down any words that come to mind.

Now, look at your art:

• What colour did you use? What texture? What shapes?
• How strong, sharp, heavy or light are the colours, lines and shapes?
• Who or what is your monster? How strong, sharp, heavy or light is it?
• What is he/she trying to push you to do? Or prevent you from doing?
• How scary is your monster? How big is it?
• What triggers it?
• What calms it down?
• How does it block/ stand in your way?
• If you want to add yourself to the page, where would you be?

Here is a song, you might enjoy while painting your monster:
Tim McGraw - Live Like You Were Dying

Rumi gives the simile:

“When you load your cargo on a ship, you do
that with full trust God keeps it safe for you.
You don’t know whether you might drown
Or, you’ll be saved from ever sinking down.
If you say, ‘till I know which one I’ll be
I won’t go on the ship or in the sea,
I need to know if I’ll be drowned
Reveal to me if I’ll arrive safe and sound?
I won’t embark on a journey with all the unknown
The truth to me has to be clearly shown.’
No trade will be accomplished, then, by you
Because the answer is hidden far from view.
The frightened merchant with a fragile nature
Finds neither loss nor profit in his venture.”

Reflection & Journaling prompts:

• Name your fears

There are so many ways your body can whisper to you that your soul is yearning for more out of life… You need to sit and listen. Everyone is unique.
Yet, usually, the parts of the body that get affected when we deny our life passions and yearnings, when we let our fears prevent us from pursuing what we are called to pursue, are the sexual organs and the thyroid.

• Sex organs & female hormonal imbalance - things like PMS, hot flashes, uterine fibroids, PCOS, and ovarian cysts... are trying to tell you that you are missing joy, excitement & creativity in your life.
• Throat & thyroid whispers want to tell you that you need to be heard; you need to reclaim your authentic voice. This area is also related to issues with surrender and learning to align our will to the Divine will without compromising or giving up on your dream nor ignoring your voice.

​There is an old Sufi tale about a Stream that flowed freely for years. It is said that he began his journey from up there in the mountains far far away… He passed through hilltops and lowlands… He survived ditches and travelled plains … until one day, he reached the desert.

The Stream has been through a lot on his journey and was certain that he can pull through this one too. So, he tried and tried; and the more he tried to cross the desert, the faster he kept sinking into its Sands… the Stream’s waters were disappearing and the Stream was gradually fading away… it was scary!

The Stream knew that he was meant to cross the desert… but, he had no idea how… And, he began to wonder why… Why was he facing such a hard task?  Why can’t he just continue flowing as he used to? This is when the Stream heard a gentle subtle voice that seems to come from afar … the voice whispered: “the Wind crosses the desert, so can you.”
“But, the Wind can fly,” replied the Stream, “it can flow over those harsh arid Sands that keep sucking the life out of me.”
“Maybe you’re pushing too hard,” whispered the voice,
“maybe you need to let go… To trust.”
“But, what would I be if I let go?” Wondered the Stream. 
“If you just allow yourself to be absorbed in the Wind, it can happily carry you to wherever you are meant to be.”
The Stream fiercely objected, letting go meant losing control… it meant facing the unknown… it meant embracing the change that is taking place … a scary ambiguous change.
Yet, what will he be if he does not let go? Continuing to push against the harshness of the Sands is futile. He will soon be absorbed away or turned into a swampland. 

It was a hard choice to make… After all, the Stream only knew one way of flowing… one way of knowing. All his life, he has been flowing in his old familiar way… he has been knowing in his old knowable way... he was free, or so, he thought… he had never relinquished his control before… “Will I remain the same Stream that I am today?”

“Your essence will never change… whether you become a new stream, a lake, or a river… whether you choose to sink in the Sands or turn into swamp or marsh... you are and will always remain you… your secret… your most essential you.”

“How do I know that this is true?”

“You need to trust.”

The Stream was more confused than ever… So many questions needed to be asked. But, the answer did not come from the faraway whispers this time, the answer came from deep within. The Stream vaguely remembered once upon a time far faraway when he was held by the caring Wind… it felt safe… it felt true… or, did it? 

And, the Stream allowed his waters to be absorbed in the Wind… and, the Wind gently carried the waters to the mountaintops far faraway. The Stream was watching and learning... He was flowing like he had never flown before… He was knowing like he had never known before...
The Stream still did not know where the Wind is carrying him… And, he still did not know what or how he’ll end up being… But, it felt true… it felt real… it felt safe. The Stream somehow knew that he still was and will always remain the Stream that he had always been and he also knew that he no longer was and will never remain the Stream he had ever been.

And, on his journey up to the mountaintops, he heard the familiar gentle voice whisper again, “We have always known, because we see it happen all the time."
And, this is why it is said that the journey of your Stream of Life is written in the Sands.


*The story is from Tales of the Dervishes by Idris Shah

Reflection & Journaling Prompts:

• What do you need to let go of?
• What is your relationship with trust?
• Do you trust yourself and your judgements?
• Do you trust God? What does trusting Him means to you?

“If tomorrow morning by stroke of magic every dazed and benighted soul woke up with the power to take the first step toward pursuing his or her dreams, every shrink in the directory would be out of business.” Steven Pressfield
What “first step” you need to take now towards pursuing your dream?

Our life is a story…

We make sense of our journey and our sufferings through stories…
Our pain stems from our disconnection from those stories… When we disconnect, our life and body sends us warnings, Body Whispers®, to tell us that something needs to change in our life. If we don’t listen, the Whispers get louder and louder until they become screams that we can no longer ignore.
Our healing lies in listening to our Body Whispers®, in reclaiming our story and re-telling it in our own authentic voice, in restoring connections and integrating our mind, body, heart & soul, finding our life meaning and purpose, restoring our health, and living in joy.

The 7 I's help you through this journey. It is inspired by Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey.

• The first stage: Integration: It seemed like an ordinary life until you get a Call for Adventure. This call might come in the form of major life changes or challenges, or it might stem from your body sending you warnings, Body Whispers®, to tell you that something needs to change in our life - the warnings could be in the form of anxiety, depression, heartaches, body aches, or simple feeling of uneasiness… Now, it's chaos & ambiguity -  You stop to connect & integrate all the bits & pieces of your life and build the foundation of your primary. needs for safety, security, support, and belonging: who am I? Where do I stand? Who stands with me? The integration stage is the foundation that establishes the structure and framework needed for you to embark on your journey.

When this stage is not in order, our Body Whispers® to us through the adrenal glands. We feel anxious, unable to cope with stress, our blood pressure is out of balance, our bones ache, we experience constant fatigue, depression and/or our immune system falls out of synch.

• The second stage: Initiation: Change is hard. Yet, as you acknowledge the kaleidoscope of your emotions (all the anger, fear, grief, frustration, guilt...), you Accept the Call & are initiated on your healing journey. In the midst of the chaos, you start looking for the light that could reignite your love, passion & joy.

When out of balance, our body sends us warnings through disturbance in sexual hormones and reproductive functions, creativity block and addictive behaviors.

• The third stage: Implementation: It is time to make the decision - to Cross the Threshold & become an active agent in your healing journey. You own your narrative and assume responsibility for your life & your health.  You acquire knowledge & gather tools. You choose your allies & support system, you re-visit your beliefs about yourself and others, dig for “sparkling events” that point you to your strengths, potentials, and talents; and integrate those stories into your emerging identity. 

When this stage is not in order, our body sends us warnings through imbalanced blood sugar levels, digestive disorders, liver problems, different food cravings, addictive behaviors and some forms of cancers.

• The fourth stage: Intimacy: Healing is not easy nor is it a straight forward journey. There is  no magic wand nor a secret pill. It is a Road of Trials that you have to tread. And, as you are advancing on the path, you are building your heart-based strength, courage & resilience. You are anchoring your trust in the Divine & intimately connecting with a sacred, transcendent reality that gives meaning to your life.

When out of balance, our body sends its warnings mainly through our heart, vascular system and immune functions. Lung problems and breast cancer are also common whispers here or rather screams.

• The fifth stage: Integrity: This stage is an expected pause in any life-changing journey. Digging into your stories and exploring strengths and weaknesses force you to come face to face with many tests, allies, and enemies that might force you to retreat in the Belly of the Whale, into your Innermost Cave.  It is time for slowing down, for reflection & re-evaluation. Here, you achieve Transformation. You find your genuine true voice and trust & surrender your will to the Divine will. 

When out of balance, our body sends its warnings through disturbance in our thyroid gland and throat & upper respiratory tract problems.

• The sixth stage: Insight: You are seeing through your ordeal and emerging with a richer narrative & a valuable contribution. You now must take the Road Back for Resurrection to occur. You reintegrate into re-engage in life with more wisdom & meaning. The insight you gain at this stage of your journey enables you to see new ways and embrace other alternatives, choices, and possibilities.

The sixth chakra, known as the third eye, is about finding meaning and wisdom in our challenges and humbly making peace with our human nature that limits our ability to find all the answers we seek. It sends its whispers through the pituitary gland, the ‘maestro’ of the endocrine system. This is why when it is thrown out of order, we experience load of associated whispers ranging from stress, worries, and anxiety to autoimmune disorders, immunity & reproductive system malfunctions, and metabolic disorders.

• The seventh stage: Intention: You are strengthening your love and sincere connection with the Divine; reclaiming your true identity & sense of agency. You are earning the Freedom to Live: Freedom as our Divine gift to live our life in harmony with His law and order. You are now clearly seeing & actualizing the valuable purpose & meaning of your life. You are back "Home", yet you are seeing it in new eyes.

The crown begins its whispers through insomnia, headaches, dizziness, migraine, low energy, and depression. With an out-of-balance crown, we lose our sense of purpose, meaning, motivation, and interest. On a deeper level, it is related to brain and nervous system disorders and fatal degenerative illnesses.



We go through the journey all the time, with every new challenge, change or transformation in our life. We are always at one stage or another on the journey.​

Take the time to locate where you are at this stage of your life and thus envision how to proceed further.

“If you become addicted to looking back,
Half your life will be spent in distraction
And the other half in regret.
You can live better than that!
Find happier friends.” Rumi 

“If you stop reading from your own small view,
The phoenix will grant kingdoms then to you!” Rumi 
​

Forgiveness is an elusive concept. You think you’ve already forgiven and put the past behind you only to find the ugly face of anger, rancor, and hurt suddenly peek through the curtains of your life out of nowhere disturbing your peace and scaring the heck out of you. 
Caroline Myss says, “the capacity to forgive is nothing less than the acceptance of a higher principle of Divine justice rather than earthly justice, as the organizing element behind the events of your life.” Forgiveness, she adds, “requires you to surrender your ego’s need to have life fall into place around your personal version of justice.” 
No wonder forgiveness is so hard. It does not follow any logic or reason. Trying to rationalize it could be ultimately frustrating because we are applying our humanly limited version of logic in a futile attempt to manage our fears and pains. We are trying to control the chaos of our life, or rather what we perceive as chaos and randomness.
We will never find logical explanations for all the circumstances of our life, good or bad. Through his poetry, Rumi teaches us not to try to understand. Whatever meaning, reason, or conclusion we draw are but tiny pieces of threads in the big fabric of reality. Life is much more complex. Rumi advises:
“Please don’t request what you can’t tolerate
A blade of straw can’t hold a mountain weight.” (140)

And,
“If you stop reading from your own small view
The phoenix will grant kingdom then to you.” (1098)

To forgive, Myss teaches, we need to “defy gravity, to transcend the limitations of the reasoning mind and connect with an inner realm of mystical truth.”
Forgiveness defies reason as it defies gravity. It defies the clinging of the soul to explanation, order, structure, logic. It defies the gravitation towards a physical, inflexible, rigid realm and instead levitates us towards a heavenly mystical higher truth.

It is not easy… To forgive is to let go of a solid ground that might have supported us while we were trying to make sense of our life and existence; to let go of a familiar structure that held us as we navigated our way through life’s scary maze and wilderness. To forgive is to let go of the ant view and instead, fly high to see with an eagle eye...To see the bigger picture, the whole panorama, and realize that it is not about them… this is my story… my path… my journey; and all the challenges, troughs, snarls, and tangles are but lessons perfectly designed to help me build more resolve and strength, to help me advance on the Path and fly higher.

“Forgiveness, Myss says, is an act of release, surrendering the need for an explanation[…] forgiveness is your release from the hell of wanting to know what cannot be known.”

Myss sees that failing to surrender is a lack of humility as we cling to the illusion that we “can prevent God from creating chaos in [our] life.” “Certainly, you will never uncover an explanation that actually heals the full measure of your pain, because reason simply can’t penetrate the heart and soul that deeply.”

As Rumi says,
“The One from whom all benefits arise
Can surely see what you’ve seen with your eyes!
A million benefits are here and all
Compared with that one are extremely small.” (1531)
فكيف لا يرى ذلك الذي تتولد منه الفوائد ذلك الذي صار مرئيا لنا؟
وهناك مئات الآلاف من الفوائد كل منها تعد الفوائد التي ندركها بالنسبة لها قليلة القيمة

“If all Divine wisdom should be known to [the human being] at once, the benefits in it would leave him unable to act and the infinite wisdom of God would obliterate his comprehension. He would not be able to cope.” This is why God says, “We only send it down in a fixed measure” (Q. 15: 21) وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِقَدَرٍۢ مَّعْلُومٍۢ

Healing, teaches Myss, “represents a cleansing of the ego that liberates the embittered self. In its place emerges an inner truth that assures you that nothing was a mistake or an accident.”
“To surrender runs counter to all your instincts of protection, grounded as they are in your need for personal safety.” “Surrender represents […] a supreme act of faith that states, with God, all things are possible […] you leave it to God to chart the course of possibilities.”

Forgiveness is surrendering the ego… And, surrender is the ultimate test in humility. You acknowledge and assume your position as God’s servant عبدالله, you stop fighting for control or entitlement, you do the work and retreat in the shade, releasing the results, knowing and believing deep in your heart that the perfect plan is already in effect.

In Rumi’s words,

“The waves of peace collide with wonderous might,
Uprooting from men’s breasts all hate and spite” (2590)


“At one stage on this path snake venom changes
To wholesome food - it’s God who rearranges…
Things harmful to the soul in that pure sphere
Can be remedy where they are down here:
Unripe grapes are too sour for us to eat
But when those same grapes ripen, they taste sweet.” (2610-2614)