|
This is an account of one woman’s discovery of the inner self. Amatullah Armstrong, the author of this book, like most men and women, sought to discover the reason of being. But while many — constricted by life’s burdens — seldom arrive at conclusions, Amatullah, with her insatiable quest, managed not only to discover the reason of her being, but went further to use her discovery to transform her very existence.
Born in Sydney, Australia, Amatullah, spent the early part of her life as Jyly, the daughter of average, middle class parents with interests typical of girls her age at the time, constantly changing according to changing times and modes — from ballet to Beatles to Beethoven to Egyptian goddesses to Twiggy’s fashions. But all along, what she refers to as ‘years of madness’, which actually are ‘a conspiracy to imprison and destroy a young girl through endless fads and fancies’, there was a seed somewhere within her, taking nourishment of its own from forces not known to her, and which would eventually spread its roots towards a culture alien to her at that time.
She writes that as an eight-year-old, when she was taught the poem, ‘Abu Ben Adam’, the poem about a sufi saint, the inspiration came to her that a different life was meant for her. And 35 years later, at the age of 41, she was finally initiated into the sufi tariqa by a murshid in Australia.
From the preface
Each person's journey through life is unique. Each has a different story to tell. My journey took me through the hippie generation, the national and international art scenes, much travelling and living abroad-until I reached the one true journey- the journey within myself to the Source of all Life-Allah. Sometimes, in hearing or reading about another person's experiences or goals or desires or needs, we may learn something which will assist us in our own search. An idea expressed or an experience recounted may lift a corner of the veil for us. We might about-face to a fresh new goal or turn our steering-wheel a little closer on-course or push-on to our original goal with renewed hope and strength. Reading played an integral part in my initial journey towards Islam when I was searching for the true direction. I then kept reading as I searched for the inner teachings of Islam. And now, within the Traditions, my reading continues. Perhaps in these pages the reader will encounter a few words which will encourage him or her in their own personal journey. It is my hope that someone may benefit from my story. It is said that every aspirant will find a true guide if he deserves one. For myself, when the need for such a guide reached a point of the utmost urgency I found my Teacher standing right there in front of me |
