#timelesswisdom

Fulton John Sheen was an American Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Rochester from 1966 to 1969. He was known for his preaching, especially on television and radio.

Born: 8 May 1895, El Paso, Illinois, United States

Died: 9 December 1979 (age 84 years), Upper East Side, New York, United States

Five facts about Fulton John Sheen.

Born in 1895 in Illinois, Fulton J. Sheen became one of the most famous Catholic bishops of the 20th century. Not famous in the influencer sense. Famous because people listened when he spoke.

He hosted the television programme Life Is Worth Living in the 1950s, pulling in tens of millions of viewers a week. He won an Emmy. A bishop beating Hollywood at its own game still stings, even now.

He held doctorates from the Catholic University of America and the University of Louvain in Belgium. In other words, he was intellectually armed, not just spiritually enthusiastic.

Sheen was a fierce critic of communism and moral relativism, arguing that societies collapse when they abandon objective truth. This was before it became fashionable to pretend truth is a personal hobby.

By the Pen of Divine Light and the Ink of Eternal Wisdom

Prologue: The World Before the Flood

Idrees (AS) entered the world in the city of Babylon, cradled by a lineage of light: he was the great-grandson of Seth (Sheeth AS), the son of Adam (AS) who carried the mantle of prophecy after the tragedy of Cain and Abel. From infancy, Idrees was unlike other children. His eyes, it is said, reflected the constellations, and his first words were not of childish folly but the glorification of Allah: "Subḥān Allāh!"

By age seven, he had mastered the tongues of men and the silent language of the cosmos. He would wander into the desert at night, tracing the dance of the planets with his finger, whispering, "These are but signs for those who reflect."Elders marveled at his wisdom, while tyrants bristled at his defiance. When the priests of Babylon demanded he bow to their idols, the young Idrees replied, "Shall I prostrate to a stone that cannot hear, see, or breathe, while the Lord of the Throne calls me to His light?"

Chapter 2: The Prophet-Civilizer

At thirty, Idrees (AS) received revelation. Angels descended with tablets of emerald light, instructing him to "rise as a warner and a mercy." He became the first man to wield the pen, etching divine laws onto parchment made from papyrus reeds. To a people clothed in animal hides, he taught the art of sewing: "Stitch garments to cover your bodies, as piety covers the soul." To astronomers lost in superstition, he mapped the orbits of planets, revealing how they bowed in submission to Allah’s command.

Yet his greatest battle was against the Jabābira—the giants of tyranny who ruled Babylon. These kings, descendants of the wicked, had allied with fallen angels (the Watchers of the Book of Enoch), who taught them black magic and the secrets of war. Idrees (AS) confronted them in their marble palaces, his voice thunderous yet gentle: "You build towers to reach the heavens, but the highest station is a heart purified by tawḥīd!"

Chapter 3: The Ascension: A Bridge Between Worlds

For 365 years, Idrees (AS) walked the earth, his beard whitened by time but his spirit unyielding. One night, as he prayed atop Mount Qāf—a mountain of sapphire said to encircle the earth—the angel of death, ʿIzrāʿīl (AS), appeared not to take his soul, but to escort him alive into the heavens.

In a whirlwind of light, Idrees (AS) ascended through the seven celestial realms. In the fourth heaven, he met the Angel of Tears, who wept for humanity’s sins. In the sixth, he glimpsed the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūẓ), its letters pulsating with the destiny of creation. Finally, at the boundary of the seventh heaven, Allah declared: "This is your station, O Idrees, until the Hour is established."

In Shia tradition, this ascension mirrors the Miʿrāj of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and Idrees (AS) is said to reside in paradise alongside Khidr (AS), eternally alive, interceding for those who seek knowledge.

Chapter 4: The Bloodline of Salvation: From Idrees to Nuh (AS)

Idrees (AS) left behind a son, Methuselah (Mutushalikh AS), whose name meant "man of the javelin"—a symbol of the prophetic truth that would pierce the darkness of the coming age. Methuselah’s grandson would be Noah (Nuh AS), the ark-builder, who inherited his forefather’s resolve.

The Book of Enoch foretells this lineage: "From his seed shall arise a plant of righteousness, and he shall build an ark in the day of wrath." In the Dead Sea Scrolls, Enoch warns Noah of the Flood, urging him to "carry the fire of Adam’s covenant." Shia narrations add that Idrees (AS) entrusted Methuselah with celestial books, which Noah (AS) later preserved in the ark—a lineage of knowledge spanning from Adam to the Imams of Ahl al-Bayt (AS).

Chapter 5: Echoes in the Heavens: Enoch in Judeo-Christian Lore

The Book of Enoch, rediscovered in Qumran’s caves, paints him as a scribe of judgment who walks among angels. In Jewish mysticism, he becomes Metatron, the celestial scribe. Christians honor him in the Epistle of Jude: "Enoch prophesied, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His holy ones!’"

Yet Islam strips away the myth, returning him to his essence: Idrees (AS), the mortal prophet, whose ascension was not deification but divine favor. Where the Book of Enoch speaks of fallen angels breeding giants (the Nephilim), the Quran hints at corruption without compromise: "And [We sent] Idrees... every soul will taste death" (Quran 21:35).

Epilogue: The Eternal Teacher

Today, Idrees (AS) watches from his celestial post. To the Sufi, he is the patron of mystics; to the scholar, the father of letters. In Shia lore, he whispers secrets to the Imams—for did not Imam Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq (AS) say, "The knowledge of Idrees is inscribed in the hearts of the truthful"?

His legacy is a covenant: that knowledge, when wedded to faith, becomes a ladder to the Divine. As Babylon’s towers crumbled, his words endured: "The ink of the scholar is holier than the blood of the martyr." In every child who gazes at the stars, in every pen that writes "Bismillāh," Idrees (AS) lives on—a prophet not of endings, but of beginnings.

Saint Namdev’s doha, "Ek Na Chhin, Do Na Chhin, Reh Jaaye Poora," translates to "Not one moment, not two; it remains complete." This profound verse invites us to contemplate the concept of completeness beyond the constraints of time and duality. Sant Namdev’s wisdom challenges our conventional understanding of time and existence, urging us to explore the timeless essence of our being—a state of wholeness that is ever-present and unbroken.

A Divergent Perspective on Completeness

In our daily lives, we are often caught up in the pursuit of fleeting moments—moments of happiness, success, or peace. We measure our lives by the passage of time, counting the seconds, minutes, and hours that make up our existence. However, Sant Namdev’s doha compels us to look beyond these transient markers and recognize that true completeness is not something that can be quantified or divided into moments.

"Ek Na Chhin, Do Na Chhin" speaks to the idea that the essence of our being is not bound by time. It is not confined to individual moments, nor is it fragmented by the passage of time. Instead, it remains whole and undivided, existing in a state of eternal completeness. This realization shifts our focus from the temporal to the eternal, from the fragmented to the whole.

Sant Namdev’s doha encourages us to understand that the true nature of our existence is beyond the duality of time and space. The "poora" or completeness that he refers to is the timeless, formless, and eternal essence of the self—a state of being that is always whole, regardless of external circumstances. It is the realization that we are not mere beings living in time, but timeless beings experiencing life in the present.

The Spiritual Significance of Timeless Wholeness

In the context of spirituality, Sant Namdev’s doha is a powerful reminder of the inherent wholeness of our true nature. This wholeness is not something that can be attained through external achievements or experiences; it is the fundamental reality of our existence. When we identify with this timeless essence, we transcend the limitations of the mind and ego, which are constantly seeking completeness in the external world.

The doha also speaks to the futility of seeking fulfillment in transient moments. When we chase after individual moments of happiness or success, we are essentially fragmenting our experience of life, reducing it to a series of disconnected events. However, when we recognize that our true nature is already complete, we no longer need to seek fulfillment outside of ourselves. We realize that the completeness we seek is already present within us, here and now.

Sant Namdev’s teachings remind us that the present moment is a doorway to this timeless wholeness. When we are fully present, free from the distractions of the past and future, we tap into the eternal essence of our being. In this state of presence, we experience life as it truly is—complete, whole, and undivided.

Practical Toolkit for Embracing Timeless Wholeness

To help you integrate the wisdom of Sant Namdev’s doha into your daily life, here is a practical toolkit:

Mindfulness Meditation:

Begin each day with a few minutes of mindfulness meditation. Focus on your breath and the sensations in your body. As you meditate, let go of thoughts about the past or future and bring your attention to the present moment. This practice helps you connect with the timeless wholeness within.

Embrace Presence in Daily Activities:

Practice being fully present in your daily activities, whether it’s eating, walking, or working. Instead of rushing through tasks, slow down and savour each moment. This helps you experience the completeness of life in the here and now.

Cultivate Gratitude for the Present Moment:

Throughout the day, take a few moments to express gratitude for the present moment. Recognize that in this moment, you are whole and complete. Gratitude shifts your focus from what is lacking to what is already present.

Let Go of Time-Based Goals:

Challenge the notion that your worth or happiness depends on achieving certain goals within a specific timeframe. Instead, focus on the process and the experience of the present moment. This helps you cultivate a sense of inner completeness, regardless of external outcomes.

Practice Non-Dual Awareness:

Engage in practices that cultivate non-dual awareness, such as self-inquiry or contemplative prayer. These practices help you transcend the duality of time and space, allowing you to experience the timeless essence of your being.

Create Moments of Stillness:

Set aside time each day for moments of stillness and silence. In these moments, simply be with yourself, without any agenda or goal. This practice allows you to reconnect with the timeless wholeness that underlies all of existence.

Affirmation of Completeness:

Use affirmations to reinforce the awareness of your inherent wholeness. For example, repeat the affirmation, "I am whole, complete, and timeless," throughout the day. This affirmation helps you shift your perspective from lack to abundance.

Disconnect from Time-Based Stress:

Identify areas of your life where you feel stressed by time-based pressures. Take conscious steps to reduce this stress, whether it’s by delegating tasks, adjusting deadlines, or simply allowing yourself to slow down. By disconnecting from time-based stress, you create space for the experience of timelessness.

Deep Listening:

Practice deep listening in your interactions with others. When you listen fully and attentively, without interrupting or planning your response, you enter a state of presence that transcends time. This practice enhances your relationships and deepens your connection to the present moment.

Reflect on the Timelessness of Nature:

Spend time in nature, observing the timeless cycles of the natural world. Whether it’s watching the sunrise, listening to the sound of the ocean, or walking in the forest, nature offers countless opportunities to experience the timeless wholeness that Namdev’s doha speaks of.

🎭 Life's a close-up tragedy, but a long-shot comedy. 😂