This reminds me of a class I just had where we discussed landscapes and brings out some interesting questions on landscape. Probably, one would look at Death Valley in this example, and think "oh look, that's a landscape". But what about sound? Or the absence of it, the silence.
In the same way Gustav Mahler's symphonies could embrace landscape, so too could the silence of God. But sound that might also show us the signs of God, like the chattering of birds.
More artificial sounds could signify something else like manmadeness entering the natural landscape of God. And of course with the middle way but maybe, in the same way the landscape devoid of any cars would be natural, or the Barn Owl needing its silence, Fajr being silent, is possibly a reminder of the primordial sounds of the world, hence gravitating towards silence and not disturbing the landscape.
That while we pray aloud for certain prayers, the silent ones are not only a balance but also remind us about the natural, undisturbed landscape before modern industrialisation.
your writing was very inspiring and indulging for my sense of sounds of silences as well of musics of words and genuine laughters. Neither confined to one or another. This is Gods intended path of integration for me, the human. His Quranic messages guide us to find beauty in balance.
Wonderful as always :)
This reminds me of a class I just had where we discussed landscapes and brings out some interesting questions on landscape. Probably, one would look at Death Valley in this example, and think "oh look, that's a landscape". But what about sound? Or the absence of it, the silence.
In the same way Gustav Mahler's symphonies could embrace landscape, so too could the silence of God. But sound that might also show us the signs of God, like the chattering of birds.
More artificial sounds could signify something else like manmadeness entering the natural landscape of God. And of course with the middle way but maybe, in the same way the landscape devoid of any cars would be natural, or the Barn Owl needing its silence, Fajr being silent, is possibly a reminder of the primordial sounds of the world, hence gravitating towards silence and not disturbing the landscape.
That while we pray aloud for certain prayers, the silent ones are not only a balance but also remind us about the natural, undisturbed landscape before modern industrialisation.
Thank you Weitske
your writing was very inspiring and indulging for my sense of sounds of silences as well of musics of words and genuine laughters. Neither confined to one or another. This is Gods intended path of integration for me, the human. His Quranic messages guide us to find beauty in balance.