Heart Centred Week 8: Remembrance Of Allah In One’s Heart

‘I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh’ (Ezekiel: 36:26)

Welcome to From the Heart. You will find here 8 Islamic Heart-Centred meditations to be used across 8 weeks. There is a natural sequence from week 1-8, where you gradually get closer to Allah, so do not try jumping across weeks.

The meditations are based in a long tradition of heart-centred contemplative exercises from the Islamic tradition that goes back to Al-Ghazali. They were originally developed by Wadud Hassan and edited by Dr Miguel Farias and Sara Shah.

These meditations were developed as part of a research project sponsored by the Templeton World Charity Foundation. The protocol was published in BMC Psychology, 2024 and the research was led by Faye Ng, Miguel Farias, and Inti Brazil.

Transcript

Relax your mind and body. And set with curiosity. Have you ever seen a bird just sitting in your yard? If you are sitting on the floor, Sit in a comfortable position and support your back. If you are sitting on a chair, Support your lower back, Lengthen your spine, Soften your shoulders, Place your hands on your thighs, Feel your feet on the floor. This is called grounding. Bring your body. To a relaxed yet alert position. To do this guided practice together. On Allah's name. Assalamu alaikum. Lower your gaze. Close your eyes. Focus inwardly. And bring the remembrance of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala into your mind. Take a deep breath in. And let a long breath out. To fully relax. Let us do two more of those. Deep breath in. And a long breath out. Now, Let us breathe normally. No need to shorten or lengthen your breath. Just breathe in. And breathe out. Normally. And as you breathe. Focus upon the remembrance of Allah in your heart. Every breath, Every moment. Is a gift from Allah. And we bring a sense of gratitude into our heart, A smile on our faces, As we concentrate on Allah's remembrance with every breath. As you breathe in. Remember Allah. And let his remembrance fill all of your beings. Now, Think of your heart as vast as the heavens. This is what your spiritual heart truly looks like. Keep focusing on your spiritual heart as vast as the heavens. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Say the name of Allah. Allah Allah Allah you Say Allah's name from the depths of your heart as wide as the heavens. Let Allah's name sound across the earth and the heavens. Allah Allah Allah Allah Breathe in. . . Breathe out. Let go of everything. Everything. Only think of Allah. Allah Allah Say Allah with all your heart. Allah Allah O Allah, I am your servant. Say Allah with all your heart. Allah Allah you you Always remember Allah. Let go of everything except Allah. Allah ALLAH Every little part of creation exists because Allah wills it. Every cell in your body is there because of Allah. Allah ALLAH you you you you you Breathe in. And breathe out. Allah is the source of all generosity, Kindness, And forgiveness. Let us recite His name from our hearts. Allah Allah Allah is blessing you with His love and mercy. Be still and open your heart to Him. Open wide your heart to Allah. You you you you Open wide your heart to Allah, To His love and mercy. Make the Qur'an and Your name the delight of my heart. The light on my chest. And remove all my sadness and anxiety. Before we finish, Focus again your attention on your breath, Just breathing in and out. And breathing out normally for a few short moments. We ask Allah to forgive and cleanse all our sins and shortcomings. We send his blessings to the beloved messenger of Allah, Muhammad. May Allah bless this practice. Infinite praise and thanks to him alone. You may open your eyes gently. And take in your surroundings. After you finish, Write down the main experiences, Insights, Or questions from today's practice in your notebook.