Learning in Freedom

Welcome to Learning in Freedom, a blog all about the learning adventures (and mishaps) of the Allen family. My four children are unschooled, following their interests and passions every day and living the lives of their choosing. The purpose of this blog is to share our every day lives (and my not-so-humble opinons) with anyone interested in stopping by. We hope this will give a glimpse of how natural learning unfolds from day to day......

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Cat Stevens is back........

.......or rather Yusuf Islam made a CD, since he doesn't go by Cat Stevens since he converted to Islam many years ago. He found his answers in religion, which is unfortunate, but hey it worked for him. Markus heard the soundtrack and said it's pretty good quality. I can't help but wish he was still singing hippy songs, but it's nice that he's decided to make music again.

Ironically, he was turned away in 2004 from entering the US because he was on the "no fly" list. The guy goes on to win a peace award, yeah, he's a big threat eh? sheesh.
You can read about it in the Herald Tribune online.

10 Comments:

hahamommy said...: uh YEAH, he's a threat to the war-mongering that is now considered American Patriotism!! OF COURSE they can't let him in; he may spread a message of Unity and Love & where will our current administration be then?? Can you say Mutiny?? hee hee hee; 5:42 PM
Ren Allen said...: True.
And of course we can't have proof of peace-loving Muslims!! Goddess forbid we let Muslims that are anti-war have their say.

I could really go off on the whole "patriotism" of today. It's so NOT about patriotism. Gag me with a flag.; 5:49 PM
Zenmomma said...: Thanks for the news. I had no idea! I want to listen to clips now, but everyone here is quiet and sleeping. I'll have to wait till morning...sigh...Did you check out Yusuf's website? It's stunning!; 3:14 AM
shukr said...: As a convert myself, 'unfortunate' is a term I find a little, um, unfortunate! to choose.
He does sing very beautifully.
Please, no offence intended, just felt uncomfortable reading that without commenting that I'm sure he actually feels very *fortunate* to have embraced Islam!
Only 'problem' being Muslim is the media image these days.lol.
A little more peace and love would be *very* welcome...
best wishes; 2:43 PM
Ren Allen said...: He obviously does feel happy to embrace Islam. My "unfortunate" comment was not about him being Muslim...I would make the same comment had he converted to just about any religion! I agree with the saying "religion is the opium of the masses".

I believe religion is devisive, creates dependancy and hands people a dogma to follow rather than listening to their own inner guidance.

I think he had all the answers right inside of him all along and he didn't need any prepackaged religion to figure out his path. But that's my opinion and everyone has to find their own way. Some find it in religion. I believe the answers are within.; 4:48 PM
Ren Allen said...: One more thing....the very term "convert" is problematic to me. If life is a journey and we're learning all the time, then we don't need to convert to anything. We can simply learn new things and incorporate ideas as they become useful or discard them as they become less useful.

Most religions seek to convert. They need to change people's minds, to win them over. That is where the problems begin.; 4:50 PM
shukr said...: Oh, but it's good opium.wink.
I appreciate your feedback.

I am absolutely certain that we come to this life knowing the answers within. For me personally, you're right in that the change happened deep within, and 'convert' doesn't do that justice. I didn't decide to step outside of one box and into another! There was inner movement and a subtle shift in perception of Reality. like having laser surgery and being able to stop wearing some glasses with a coloured tint!lol.

Like religious guidelines, labels can have a place for expression, but are certainly not where things stop.

I hear you were not specific on the fact that he became Muslim btw, any religion potentially turns you off.
I see non religion to be as much of a dogma as religion itself can potentially be. I have seen too many people box themselves in to become a victim of their own inner guidance.

Anyway, I guess you have thrashed this one around many a time to get to where you are now!! It wasn't my intention to take to any deep level, so I won't. Just felt as if Yusuf Islam's choice wasn't honoured somehow. Sorry if that was misjudged.

I wish you the best for *your* path of discovery.; 4:28 AM
Ren Allen said...: Whether I think adherance to a religion is wonderful or not, it doesn't honor or dishonour his choice. His choice is his own, his path is his own, how I feel about it matters not one whit.

I don't see how not adhering to any set of rules or dogma is the same as choosing to adhere to one. I have no dogma or creed of worship. I trust that the universe is working exactly as it should be, that the answers are within and that whatever makes a person feel uplifted and connected is worthy. Some need a church to do that (and sometimes I choose to meet with likeminded people) others can trust that their "church" is wherever they go.

I am the temple. I am the divine. I am. I truly believe if more people could understand that, then religion would cease to be a devisive point and simply another form of expression....maybe.

And no, I don't think that by not adhering to any religion I am somehow better than someone that chooses to. It does make me sad when people see a religion as THE answer though, because with that comes a lack of trust in self and a handing off of personal responsibility.

I trust that Yusaf Islam is at peace and his path is exactly where it needs to be. I trust that he is growing and learning like the rest of us. I see that he is a deep and beautiful person no matter what his religious path.....; 1:18 PM
Ren Allen said...: ~~I have seen too many people box themselves in to become a victim of their own inner guidance.~~

I would love to know how trusting your inner guidance "boxes" anyone in or how it makes one a victim.

I see trusting my inner guidance as the very first step in personal responsibility, what does that have to do with being a "victim"?

Enjoying the discussion.....; 1:20 PM
shukr said...: Even within a religious framework, one still has to use inner guidance to see who has a balanced understanding true to the origins of one's choice, and who has missed the point/ innovated a new direction away from the core of the faith. There is the possibility of 'loonies' in any idea/ religion/ race etc...one cannot blindly follow any Pied Piper whichever path (s)he may be taking.

Religion itself does not disable or render impotent that capacity to think, feel, reason and decide. Our actions, as humans generally, are a reflection mostly or our individual state.

However, I feel content to label myself a Muslim. I embrace the rules and regulations of this religion as Ultimate Truth. After this, there is a saying within Islam, 'take the good wherever you find it' - which hardly suggests 'the borg effect' (star trek!?) of dependency/ loss of individuality. and so my inner guidance is ever sieving and filtering as I move through life. but with a sense of what it is connected to.

The fact that I have embraced this as Reality and a noble code of conduct, is liberating for me. I came to it, (or was brought to it!), through thought and heart, and now I am free to grow further. I would imagine others have similar feelings from their own faith background. Somewhat like settling foundations maybe.

That isn't what causes the divisions, it's the egos who want to dominate who pose the problem. Dominate in the sense of wanting to annihilate personal *choice within* - not allowing for any inner guidance or individuality. How can there be compulsion over one's inner heart! How ridiculous. That is not, however, to say free for all to do as they will - I think anyone mentally healthy will agree with that.

My comment ~~I have seen too many people box themselves in to become a victim of their own inner guidance.~~
is along the lines of seeing people who cannot take from anything as they have cancelled it's validity as being oppressive/agressive/subversive/
whatever - and fail to look past the form.

People make many things their Higher Thing/ Consciousness:
ie:
their own Ego - (which arises mainly out of inner guidance - from paedophiles or rapists who make up fantasies to be able to abuse 'she likes it really. she's asking for more'
to somebody who steals some sweets as 'it won't hurt anybody'
to shouting at a child as 'they are just a child' etc etc )
Goddess(es)
God(s)
Universe
Mother Nature

what does all this mean really? Where/ what is the definitive Source - our inner guidance can be so wildly at odds.
It has a place, but how do you propose to reconcile your inner guidance and that of the person who harms you or your child - or anyone else?
Do you embrace their right to rule by rape or murder, guided from within?
Religion may grate the ego, but what is beyond the form?

btw - you sound very Sufi with
~I am the temple. I am the divine. I am.~

and at essence this may be true, but there is often a form to manifest Reality. ie: the attribute of generosity/ beauty can be witnessed amongst us.
where do they originate from as traits?
inner guidance itself stems from where?
what are we tapping into when we go within?

as a Sufi once said:
When I drank from the glasses of Love and tasted the Wine, (of Divine Unity), my attributes were removed, so I have no attributes. And all of me passed away from me and disappeared from me.

indicating the form as a means perhaps?

Sorry if that sounds all over the place.if i was writing an essay I would rearrange, lol, but my dear children are currently rearranging the kitchen to a point of no recovery and I really should go check in!!; 12:45 PM

Learning in Freedom

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Thursday, November 30, 2006

Cat Stevens is back........

10 Comments: