Concurrency
“In our Sufi Arabic culture, there exists an expression known as Toufeeq, which translates to ‘concurrency.’ Recently, I’ve noticed phonetic similarities to Taoism; however, this insight may not be entirely accurate. I arrived at this realization through further exploration of the word, influenced by my frequent trips to India and the basic Siddha teachings received from my beloved teacher, Palpandian.
While my community extensively uses this phrase, similar to many sacred expressions such as love, God, and surrender, such expressions lost their sacredness through overuse, becoming dry, lifeless, and devoid of spirit.
Upon fresh contemplation of this expression, I now perceive it as a holistic insight into life’s wisdom, and this was no doubt due to the impact of the MM Siddha workshop. This expression “concurrency” became my new mantra, embodying the ineffable essence that transcends verbal expression.
The true measure of any sacred teaching lies in its simplicity. The term ‘concurrency,’ spoken by my master Palpandinian in class, still resonates in my ears and reverberates through my spirit. It exemplifies the power of a teacher to stir one’s entire being with one single word, a disguised ‘Mantra.’
This so-called mantra has initiated me into the grace of many virtues, namely patience, non-forcing, and acceptance. It is an inclusive understanding of what I would call the “art of living.” It truly is an “art.”
The art of not forcing, grasping, and controlling….
The art of not going to extremes….
The art of not being destination-oriented….
The art of sustaining…
The art of being humble without trying to become humble…
The art of cultivating our sensitivity to life…
The art of acceptance and surrender…
The Art of transcending belief to faith…
The art of being open, naked, and innocent….
Saints and prophets who mastered this art have profoundly impacted the world, continuously showering existence with their grace. They are ever-present for everyone. Just as one cannot receive anything with a tightly closed fist, we cannot receive their grace with closed hearts.
Now, as a spontaneous daily practice, each dawn I reflect on the profound teachings bestowed upon me by the Siddha Agaguru Lineage. I am humbled by the depth of their wisdom, their compassion, and love. Integrating their profound teachings into my life is my daily prayer.
The journey from stiffness to flexibility is not an easy one; it is fierce, but its fierceness is the most graceful.