A painful place...

Assalaamu’alaykum,

Something we all want is connection, whether we recognise that or not.

Our relationships are defined by the level of connection we share, our experience of life is determined by how connected we are in each moment and our presence in front of Allah, in our salah and other acts of ibaadah are also inextricably linked to how connected our hearts feel to Him SWT.

Connection is the heartbeat that runs through every facet of our lives, even in the most ordinary moments. You might be walking past the most stunning sunset, surrounded by the beauty of nature but still miss it all because you're lost in your head thinking about your to-do list, consumed by problems or distracted by your phone.

Ehem... there's no harm though in disconnecting from our phones a little more often :)

However, I think there's one type of disconnect that can be very painful. It comes with a plethora of symptoms, such as emptiness, frustration and recurring cycles of people-pleasing, burnout and overwhelm.

And this type of disconnect is so common and remains undiagnosed at it's root for the longest time. Instead, people try to resolve their pain by seeking better time management, stronger self discipline or "doing more." But none of these will work long term while the real root of the problem still exists deep down.

So many people walk through my coaching doors with these symptoms, never having realised that what's driving their discomfort and at times their inner sufferings is that they have disconnected from themselves.

When people are living only on the outside, with little or no awareness of what's happening within their rich inner world, the natural equilibrium Allah created us with to experience harmony, joy, peace and connection begins to fall off balance.

The world just becomes a place of "doing" "pleasing" "chasing" but never truly experiencing at a soulful level. Never just being in the authenticity of your fitrah, connected to your soul, present in your heart and standing in your convictions. And that can be a very painful place to exist.

So what does true connection with self look like?

It's to be present in the moment, present to what your heart, soul and body are saying to you, not just your mind. Present to the reality that you are a servant who is always seen by your Master. It's knowing yourself and standing by your values and convictions. It's standing in the light Allah placed within you, even when the world around you feels dark, chaotic or constricted.

This kind of connection is a ni'mah (gift) from Allah and is the only place that sukoon (tranquillity) can be found. It's not crippled by worldly setbacks, people's judging eyes or life's curveballs. Alhamdulilah.

Having spent the last 10+ years working on my own inner connection and helping hundreds of others reconnect with themselves, I'm excited to share that I'm working on something that will help even more people access this place of deep inner connection, both with themselves and with their Rabb, InshaAllah.

If this interests you, please hit reply and let me know, your feedback is very important to us at Awakened Hearts Academy and we welcome it with open arms :)

Reflection of the Week

In what ways might you have you become disconnected from yourself?

This week, make space to listen before you react. Notice what your heart, soul and body are telling you and ask yourself whether you're living from your fitrah or simply responding to the noise around you.

Dua of the Week

اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلَاهَا

O Allah, grant my soul its righteousness and purify it, for You are the Best to purify it. You are its Protector and Master.

(Sahih Muslim 2722)

Allah's name of the Week

Al-Qareeb (The Ever-Near)

Ya Qareeb, You are always near, even when our hearts feel distant. Draw us back to You, reconnect us with our fitrah and allow us to find true tranquillity in Your remembrance. Make us among those whose hearts are fully connected and present before You in every moment.

Aameen, ya rabbal aalameen.