The Circle of Existence
The Circle of Existence
How Does Man Reach the Promised Understanding?
Identity
Author: Mohammadreza Nokounam (b. 1327)
Title: The Circle of Existence / Mohammadreza Nokounam.
Publisher: Islamshahr: Sobhe Farda Publishing, 1393 (2014).
Physical Details: 72 pages; 9.5 x 19 cm.
ISBN: 978-600-7347-65-2
Cataloging Status: FIPA
Note: Previous edition: Qom: Zohoor-e Shafaq, 1386 (2007).
Edition: Second edition.
Subject: Islam – Various Topics
Library of Congress Classification: BP11/N8D2 1393
Dewey Decimal Classification: 297.02
National Bibliography Number: 3674288
Preface
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon Muhammad and his pure family, and perpetual curse be upon all their enemies.
The short-sightedness and simplistic thinking of humanity throughout history have caused many harms to mankind.
Indeed, how can one overcome naivety, solitary thinking, and increase the human capacity for tolerance? How does one arrive at the promised understanding? The day when wars and conflicts cease, and the many unknowns in the human mind are transformed into knowledge, where human thought, reasoning, and cultures find their scientific order.
The first article of this book answers these questions.
The second article provides an analytical response to the first, considering simplicity and oversimplification, traditional cultures, science, and human religion as the causes of human disorder – elements that elevate the cow and Pharaoh to divine status and turn man away from the God of Moses.
What is the world and the hereafter? What is the relationship between the world and the hereafter? How can one gain knowledge of the hereafter? These are the questions addressed in the third article.
The article “Different Humans” discusses the emergence of philosophies and schools of thought, reaching the truth of human perfection. It speaks of the essence of perfection, the method of finding it, the stages of perfection, and mentions some characteristics of the saints of God.
The mystical article “Two Eternal Realities” discusses the appearance and arrival of phenomena and their path to the presence of the Divine. It explains that a traveler who has reached the truth has come to understand the Divine and experiences duality, taste of selfhood, and with the return of the heart, severs the spinal cord of existence, falls from existence, and becomes one of the people of the heart and the bearer of secrets.
The last two writings address psychological matters related to children’s upbringing and offer essential guidelines for mothers and educators. In fact, the common thread of all the writings collected in this volume is the depiction of the downward and upward journey of humanity within the circle of existence.
Praise be to God.
The Promised Understanding
The issue that has brought the world to ruin from the beginning and led humanity to vanity is the short-sightedness and simplicity of human thought. Naivety and the acceptance of words and claims without scrutiny have been the sole cause of humanity’s failures throughout history. If, after centuries, man has failed to determine his fate and lead all to the path of righteousness, it is solely due to this obstacle. Daily, humans are divided into several factions, with each group experiencing some form of transformation – be it small or large, good or bad, short-lived or long-lasting. Humanity has faced storms, whirlwinds, and floods every day.
This is one of the deep, theoretical, and practical problems of the human path, which requires careful consideration by scholars. Reflection on it is deserving of any seeker because this group, having followed a certain path, may have called themselves scholars and thinkers, or perhaps, those who have diverted others into error have granted them this title. All have found themselves in some environment and have followed certain slogans, blindly obedient to a line, without considering the possibility that they may be mistaken, that there may be another correct path, or that others may be right.
The Multi-faced Thugs
The tyrants with a thousand faces and the leaders of oppression, every day and at all times, like fearless butchers and ruthless executioners, sacrifice human beings to their desires and whims, killing, burning, committing violations and debauchery, all in an attempt to record their dominance and power in history.
These man-eating wolves, although they have left behind golden titles and names in the face of history, constructed buildings, and inscribed tablets across the world, have concealed humanity’s failures, disregarded the piles of bodies and minarets constructed from human skulls, and ignored these in the grand narrative of history.
These fearless tyrants and bloodthirsty kings cloaked themselves behind the masks of ideologies, groups, religions, and beliefs, using titles such as Moses, Christianity, Islam, science, nationalism, righteousness, Yazdan (God), Ahriman (the Devil), heresy, idol worship, and many others to present themselves and spread their venom into human society.
They made the cow into a god, elevated Pharaoh to lordship, raised the Quran on a spear, and in the name of the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphs, sultans, khans, and khagans, they led countless individuals—both men and women, young and old, drunk and addicted, mute and weak—into destruction, darkening humanity’s existence and recording their crimes in history.
Should a day come when the world is able to calculate the massacres and atrocities these tyrants have inflicted upon humanity, it would become evident what has happened to the world and its predecessors. However, it is unlikely that such a day will ever come, for it belongs to the afterlife and not to this world.
The lack of reckoning and indifference toward these matters has led to the persistence of such individuals in the world, continuing the actions of their predecessors. They build statues and erect crowns for the dead, placing them before the eyes of the downtrodden, showing contempt for all.
The Third Principle: The Groundless Nature of the Human Mind
The two previous principles can be considered as the active and functional causes of the destruction of human time. The third principle, however, is the passive cause, referring to the human acceptance of these disorders.
It is the human being who, out of ignorance, fear, and caution, has accepted all these horrors and miseries, as though dead in the hands of the undertaker.
Had it not been for the movement of the prophets and the courageous and faithful free men, today there would have been nothing left of humanity. Each tyrant would have employed chains and collars, forcing groups of people into servitude, stripping them of any strength.
It is this very human who, in addition to accepting these tyrannies, has been the capable force enabling their realization.
It was humanity that worshipped the cow, accepted Pharaoh as a god, polished and preserved all the wealth, power, and deceit, and, in doing so, has been the material for all the distortions and audacity of the world’s dominant powers.
It is this human who rejected Moses, accepted the calf as a deity, burned Abraham, and obeyed Nimrod, building countless Egyptian and non-Egyptian idols and pyramids.
It is this human who stood against the divine messengers, mocked them, and uprooted the very foundations of his existence.
The calf was created by Samiri; but who worshipped it? Samiri or humanity? The cow was made divine by Samiri; but who declared it a god: Samiri or humanity?
Who worshipped Pharaoh? Pharaoh or humanity? Who prepared the fire and cast Abraham into it? Nimrod or humanity?
Who raised the Quran on a spear? Who confined Ali to his house? Who brought forth the tyrannical caliphs and rulers, placing them in power to further destroy their own progeny?
The root cause of all these atrocities and treachery can be traced back to humanity itself, who, through weakness, ignorance, thoughtlessness, and lack of discernment, has paved the way for these deep-rooted, chronic miseries.
A Plea, Sweet Yet Painful
Here, we must make a heartfelt and painful plea to humanity, the thinkers and the power-mongers of today: Is it not enough?!
Isn’t it enough that humanity has brought itself to ruin, disgrace, and disorder? Isn’t it enough that ignorance, cowardice, looting, betrayal, and oppression have persisted in the human race?
Hasn’t the time come for humanity to awaken, cast off all its errors and mental shortcomings, and, while there is still time, follow the righteous path, bearing the green and white banners of the great prophets and the infallible saints, and pursuing purity, chastity, and divine authority, awaiting the fulfillment of true divine commandments?
The Future of Humanity
As long as humanity continues to equate every ideology with thought, every tyranny with obedience, and every crafted system with religion or law, it will never experience a better era. It will never be free of such deprivation, no matter how much time passes. Yet, it is only a matter of time before human minds and capabilities can no longer endure these deceptions, and all falsehoods will collapse. At that point, humanity will awaken, and its conscience will stir, seeking a true redeemer.
It seems humanity must, as soon as possible, and in unity and sincerity, turn towards the truth, embrace the genuine and unadulterated teachings of Islam, the true Shi’ism, and the red, green, and white banners of Ali, Hussain, and the Awaited Mahdi (may Allah hasten his appearance), free from any corruptions and distortions. Only through active and sincere effort can humanity hope to reach the right path.
The True Path and Genuine Shi’ism
It is only this true path and authentic Shi’ism that can eliminate all the human sufferings, set the human caravan on the right course, and bring the human ship safely to the shores of salvation. After all, the purpose of human creation is nothing other than happiness and ultimate success.
We await that day.
The World and the Afterlife
The World
The world is the space of human deeds, a realm that embraces both righteousness and corruption, joys and sorrows.
It is a limited slice, a small piece of the infinite that reveals the eternal identity and ultimate perfection of humanity.
Humanity is occasionally struck by pain and grief, and at other times by happiness and delight. Some moments bring comfort, while others bring hardship; sometimes there is friendship, and at other times enmity. It is up to humanity to maintain a clear goal and defined stance in the face of all these fluctuations.
Life in this world is short, and human life is even shorter. One must constantly observe both the origin of eternity and the height of infinity, reclaim one’s true self, and avoid giving in to falsehood and corruption.
The Afterlife
The afterlife is a concept that contrasts with the world, representing an existence beyond it. It holds a far greater significance than the world and is an extension of the world, containing its essence. This realm brings forth the outcomes of human actions, both good and bad, into clearer view, revealing the final truths.
The afterlife is, in essence, the inner reality of the world, manifesting in a form that is hidden to the material senses but perceptible to those with higher spiritual awareness.
It is in this world that humanity can begin to experience the afterlife and prepare for its ultimate fate.
Different People
The truth that all existence and its beings seek and direct their efforts towards is the desire for perfection, whether relative or absolute. It is evident that perfection exists in two forms: natural and essential, acquired and volitional; just as beings fall into two broad categories: innate and volitional. However, volition, in its common sense, does not apply to all beings and is only valid for those capable of transforming and changing their thoughts and actions.
From this brief explanation, two certain truths emerge:
First, all beings are on a path toward perfection, and no exceptions or separations exist for any of them. They all, in one form or another, with their individual and species-specific traits, seek perfection. In this matter, there is no room for discussing bad or good traits, as this reflects the natural journey of beings toward perfection. This is the meaning of the verse “Indeed, we belong to God, and to Him, we shall return,” which signifies that all beings begin from God and ultimately return to Him.
Second, perfection for natural beings and those without volition is inherent and occurs naturally. Each being possesses perfection according to its created nature and follows its course, content and intoxicated by this pursuit, finding only that which is destined for it. There is no deficiency for them, nor any addition; their existence is their essence, and their identity and awareness are bound to their being.
After stating these two truths, the fundamental issue and the greatest problem in the world—namely, “knowledge”—becomes apparent. For beings with volition, such as humans, what is the meaning of perfection, and where does the standard and criterion for it come from? What, in essence, is the ultimate goal, aim, and higher perfection of humankind, and how is it assessed?
This is a problem that has bewildered those seeking knowledge and awareness throughout the ages. Due to daydreaming, shallow thinking, and an inability to correctly grasp the truth, each person has come up with their own version of the truth, created idols, devised philosophies, and proposed plans. As a result, they fail to consider the shortcomings, crookedness, and misguided paths of their own minds. It is in this way that philosophies, schools of thought, and systems of knowledge are continually presented in the marketplace of ignorance, each followed by a group of people who, in the end, find themselves confused and lost at the crossroads. They either fall into bewilderment or pursue stubbornness and destruction, remaining unaware of their ignorance, even as cries for knowledge and awareness resound in the marketplace of worldly ignorance.
Thus, in the field of understanding the truth of human perfection—which is the only important and valuable human desire—one must proceed with great care and thorough examination to reach the straight path, which is the path of truth, and ultimately arrive at the desired goal.
In this context, it is necessary to explain what perfection is and how it is attained. Regarding the first point, one must say: human perfection lies in the true connection with the truth and in acquiring all the inherent and active attributes of the Divine. This is achieved through the process of descent and ascent, where the proximity to the Divine is realized, and the annihilation and eternal survival make a being, free from worldly limitations, united with the Divine. Perfection has degrees, and each degree surpasses the next, to the extent that the concept of “absolute perfection” itself becomes difficult to imagine. In clearer terms, absolute perfection should be referred to as “God.” God is the essence that is beyond anything else, possessing all the perfections of existence. All manifestations of existence are expressions of His perfections and the outpouring of His existence, free from any imperfection or deficiency.
Regarding the second point, one must say: although attaining natural perfection is free of charge for all beings, especially for humans, achieving volitional perfection can only be attained by forsaking worldly pleasures, overcoming the corrupt desires of the soul, and abandoning the temptations of Satan. The degree of success in this forsaking will determine how far one progresses on the path, and the key to victory in this path is renunciation—renunciation of all desires and anything that is not the Divine. The more one relinquishes the self, the more they will attain truth.
Therefore, it must be clear that renunciation, despite being the most difficult task and the hardest path, is the only way to reach perfection. Progress in this path is determined by how much one renounces. Without this, one will gain only limited results in attaining perfection.
Thus, humanity desires to attain the perfections it is inherently capable of, and acquiring them cannot be achieved without opposing the desires of the soul. Therefore, in the course of life, human beings can pursue one of three general paths: either renounce desires, follow the path of truth, and avoid all that is wicked, crooked, or false; or, in their own imagination, forsake the truth and follow the path of selfish desire and Satan; or, neither this nor that, but rather create a mixture of both and, in doing so, develop a concoction of perfections and corruptions in varying degrees.
Now, what should a person do, and which of these three paths should they choose? Should they surrender to their desires, abandon perfection, and follow their pleasures, with no other path to follow? Or should they entirely renounce desire, endure the hardship of doing so, and follow the path of God? Or should they combine the two, experiencing neither extreme of hardship nor total lack of perfection? Which one should they choose?
The path of indulgence and following desires may seem easy and effortless at first, as many may mistakenly believe that freedom from all restraints is perfection. They may feel that being free from all responsibility, living without care, and having no constraints is the way to achieve peace of mind and a satisfied conscience. They may wish to reject servitude, embrace a satanic mindset, and free themselves from all duties and responsibilities. For these individuals, the idea of perfection does not exist, nor is there any conscience, truth, or duty that causes them distress. However, this path should be left to those who find it easy to deny all reality and perfection. In the end, these individuals will experience their own ruin and misery, and they must be prepared for the punishment of the afterlife.
Another way exists, where a person may not be so reckless and may take some steps toward the truth, saying to themselves that whatever comes is for the best. They may accept what is good as good, what is bad as bad, and what is ugly as ugly, but they will act according to their own desires in carrying them out, pursuing whatever benefits them and avoiding harm. They may seek outward appearances of piety, but without concern for the purity of heart and soul. In their food, sleep, and pleasure, they will indulge, seeking peace of mind while pretending to act in God’s name. They may perform good deeds as long as they are visible, but if they benefit from something unlawful, they will not give it a second thought. Such individuals may speak often about the truth, but will not bother to act upon it with effort or sincerity. This summary encapsulates the concerns of this group, which constitutes the majority of people, whether they are within or outside Islam, with varying degrees of involvement in worldly concerns.
The third path is the path of the righteous, where individuals who engage in self-examination, constant reflection, and mindfulness of their end will find themselves on the road to purity and salvation. These individuals constantly battle with their inner selves, hiding their sorrows and regrets while striving to overcome their own imperfections. Though they may suffer and struggle, they will eventually reach the heights of purity and excellence, finding freedom from the corruption of the soul.
In truth, this is the battlefield of the human soul, and the struggle to overcome one’s desires and rise to the heights of perfection is difficult. The sweetness and joy found in overcoming the soul’s demands are indescribable, and this moment cannot be expressed in words.
For the chosen ones, those who achieve true knowledge and perfection, the pleasures of the soul become nothing but torture, and renunciation becomes easy. They do not seek worldly comforts but are free from both worlds.
The saints and the chosen ones view worldly possessions with disdain, just as a person dislikes waste and filth. Their hearts are detached from both this world and the next.
Thus, the path to perfection is a long and difficult journey, but it is only through this path that one may ultimately achieve the highest form of knowledge and understanding.
Manifestations, Separation, and Union
What remains is the separation and estrangement, the burning and the lamentation; no particle is released, and every arrival is followed by separation, and each separation in itself carries an arrival.
Existence and Union
If a heart rises above this, it will realise that “absolute existence” and “existence in its absoluteness” are one and the same, without deficiency or negation. Every manifestation is but an expression of union, and the quest in every face and form is union. Union is nothing other than the quest of what already exists.
The universe is the very union, and the union itself is the absolute existence, which is what the “absolute existence” without limitation manifests. The manifestations are absolute unions of existence, which in their essence embody union itself, while separation and absence describe only the otherness of the Sacred Being.
The Critique of the Heart
That which reaches you is what should reach you, and what you have received is what was meant to come to you, and this reached union is the actual self of existence. It is the critique of the heart that divinity has been poured into water and clay to refresh the heart and establish the tent of divine love in the dust of the earth. Only the absolute existence is the absolute union, and the divine manifestations acquire their distinctiveness in the container of the absolute union of divine reality; if you realise your true nature and search for your essence, you will find yourself and know your true self. The saints are those who have experienced this realization. If you do not yet realise it, rest assured that you will find it, whether in this world or in another realm, today or in future days. You must understand that the truth you seek is within you and can never be lost or destroyed, though it may take time to be discovered.
Absolute Unknown and Absolute Known
One who seeks something other than themselves seeks the absolute unknown. The truth, within the realm of the other, is the absolute unknown, while within the realm of the truth, it is the absolute known. Although the “absolute unknown” is the same as “absolute existence,” its appellation in this sense describes a separateness from the truth, which in its essence has no division or otherness. Existence itself is the union, and union itself is existence; there is no duality or separateness in it.
Manifestation and Expression
That which all seek is nothing but that which is hidden within them. Existence seeks its own manifestation, and manifestation is simply an expression. The seeking of the seeker is the very union it seeks, manifesting ceaselessly in the form of union. This absolute existence and the absolute unknown are the very union, and all other manifestations and unions are merely reflections of this complete form, which takes on a dualistic appearance in the eyes of the other.
The Call of the Kingdom
One who attains this understanding has reached union and can receive the heavenly call: “There is no god but God” and “We belong to God and to Him we shall return.” Through this, they will realise what the truth of the world is, who mankind truly is, and what the truth of existence is. The seeker of truth reaches the divine and attains the knowledge of otherness, tastes the ego, and is freed from the descent and ascent of existence. In this state, they are stripped of all worldly desires and become a person of the heart and possessor of secrets, finding their heart as the sole abode of the Divine and the true home of the truth.
The Period of Human Evolution
It is unclear where human life begins. Does it start with natural growth and maturation, or with birth and the commencement of human life’s evolution? Should we consider the parents’ union before the birth of a child, or perhaps extend further back and speak of a world that precedes this one, the source of existence for every individual, which we might call the “World of the Particles”? Or if we proceed even further, we might encounter the “Divine Knowledge,” a realm where material and intermediary factors play no role. In any case, regardless of where one begins, it matters little, as what is important is how human life begins and where it ends.
Thus, divine primordial knowledge is involved in every action, guiding the human being along a restless and continuous path toward its ultimate goal. Without this guidance, one could say that reaching the lower goal of human choice is a challenging task. Although a person may run for hundreds of years and not falter, if their goal is not attained, it remains an unattainable result.
After this stage, every parent, when considering a child, must envision a great goal for their offspring and make a wish for them, ensuring the necessary conditions are met and not delaying the process. Only when parents fulfil their lofty role can the child avoid wandering in the alleys of deficiency and lack.
It must be acknowledged that achieving the necessary conditions for parenthood is an incredibly difficult task, and success varies from one individual to another. The more these two personalities strive for perfection, the better the child they will raise. Through divine grace, a clear face of blessing will appear.
When a child enters the world, parents must realise their own strength and abilities in order to provide the necessary spiritual and psychological readiness to raise a child who will bring pride to them and society.
It is clear that during childhood, the responsibility mainly rests on the mother, who is the real educator and companion of the child. The father, in this stage, plays a more general role. At this age, the child’s spirit is primarily nurtured. The mother is the one who provides the active force, while the child’s potential is shaped by her. The child mirrors the mother’s nature, and both her virtues and flaws directly influence the child. This stage, which should be considered one of the fundamental periods in human development, is short, and a child can hardly leave the home before the age of five. From this point onward, the mother must begin to exercise more control over the child’s development.
This stage eventually passes, and the child moves on to school. Primary school is the first real exposure to society, and although it is the most crucial stage for the child’s growth, it is also the most dangerous. The child enters society without knowing what it truly is or how to navigate it. It is at this crossroads that the child may either be shaped for good or for bad. The child may be greatly influenced by the environment, and if they emerge safely from this stage, they will be closer to their true purpose.
Thus, it is essential for the caregiver to provide unwavering support and guidance during this time. If the child encounters a harmful environment, they may quickly fall into ruin.
Once the child passes through the primary years, their true nature becomes set, and they are prepared to take on the active role of growth. If the foundation is strong, they will perform many of the preparatory tasks necessary for their salvation. However, it becomes harder to change a person’s path at a later stage.
Next comes the “intermediate phase” of the child’s life, where it remains uncertain whether they will continue along the same path or choose a new one. While the father must continue to play an active role in this phase, the opportunity for significant influence is limited, and the foundations laid up to this point are all that can truly benefit the child. During this stage, the young person’s thoughts are shaped by their peers, teachers, and society, and it is crucial for the community to ensure the child is prepared for a healthy life.
When the young person reaches adulthood, they will begin to solidify their worldview and social role. It is during this phase that the structure of their thinking and social persona will come into clearer focus.
At this point, it is important to evaluate each of these stages from psychological, social, and practical Islamic perspectives in order to guide the person effectively.
