Date: Saturday, 21 August, 2010
In this session, brother Levent Altunbas, together with brothers Kerem and Turhan, discusses the first and second Notes of the Seventeenth Flash. In this Flash, the author Bediuzzaman Said Nursi provides concise notes pertaining to the Unity of Allah.
The First Note relates to the human desire for eternity. Bediuzzaman reminds us that we all have the innate desire to live forever, and the innate love of eternal things. Since this is the case, we should not attach ourselves to perishable, transient things. These can not satisfy us. We can only be content with the True Eternal One (Baki-i Hakiki).
In the Second Note, Bediuzzaman points out that in terms of being a ‘created’ being, no person is inferior or superior to another person. In fact, no ‘created thing’ is superior or inferior to another. But Allah is infinitely superior to all things. And all things are equally distant from Allah, in terms of their fitness to be worshipped. Since only Allah is worthy of worship, and since no one apart from Allah is superior to us, we should not subjugate ourselves to other people. We should not feel obligated to other people nor be enslaved by worldly things.
Listen to our audio file for an in depth discussion. Download Audio
In this session, we answer a question from our audience relating to the First Flash. In this Flash, and in many parts of the Risale-i Nur, we are informed that true love should only be for Allah, and that love of anything else can never be real, but merely ‘metaphorical’. But since we see beauty in worldly things, and especially in other people, how can we turn our love for those things toward love for Allah? How can we direct our love toward the True Beloved (Mahbub-u Hakiki)
We should understand that all things in the universe merely reflect the Names and attributes of Allah. Things which are beautiful, and which we love, are only beautiful thanks to the beauty and perfection of their Creator. We should therefore not love them on their own account, but on account of their Creator. We should say like Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, “Look how beautifully they have been made,” rather than, “Look how beautiful they are”.
Listen to our audio file for an in depth discussion. Download Audio
"There are a few dimensions to a human's existence. Because humans are plant like, animal like, human like and also faith like."
From 'Mesnev-i Nuriye', by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Quote translated by Levent A.
Central to our learning are the weekly discussion circles. In our discussion circles we analyze, contemplate and reflect on fundamental questions that we all want and need answers to.
In our discussions of these crucial questions and issues, no questions are left unanswered. We guarantee that once you approach and critically engage with a rational mind and pure heart, you will inevitably change; in mind, body and soul.
Our discussions circles are held at the Word Vision Conference Centre in Somerton. Audio recordings of our sessions are uploaded regularly to this site. Our session times are as follows:
Females only reading group - To be rescheduled soon
Primary school children's class - Saturdays at 3.00 p m (recommencing soon)
Secondary school children's class - Saturdays at 4.00 pm (recommencing soon)
Main discussion group for both males and females - Saturday nights at 8.00 pm
In addition, videos of our discussions are now broadcast live on 'Word Vision TV' via Livestream: http://www.livestream.com/wordvisiontv So tune in to Word Vision TV from 8.00 pm (Melbourne time) every Saturday night, or watch our Livestream archives anytime.
Also, join us on Facebook and Twitter via the links below to be alerted of updates to our website, events and more.
Word Vision is a registered non-profit organisation established in 2003. We dedicate ourselves to lifelong learning. We aim not only to enhance the knowledge and abilities of our listeners and readers, but also to broaden their horizons and introduce them to new ways of assessing their observations and experiences.
We embrace the unique approach of the great scholar Bediuzzaman Said Nursi and use his work, The Risale-i Nur, as our core reference. We compare and contrast his writings to that of other prominent Thinkers from the past and present such as Plato, Kant, Hume and Dawkins.
The Risale-i Nur is a lesson of the Qur’an to modern understanding. The treatises in it are a commentary of Quranic verses dealing with all matters of faith. They provide remedies from the pharmacy of the Qur’an to all spiritual and psychological ills.
