Reflections Beneath the Morning Sky
- Nature’s Duality and Harmony: Observing the interplay of clouds, sunlight, and streams revealed life’s balance of joy and sorrow, reflecting the coexistence of opposites.
- Spiritual Awakening: Immersing in nature shattered ego-driven concerns, fostering introspection and unveiling deeper truths about existence and unity.
- Yearning for Liberation: Inspired by the freedom of birds and flowing streams, the experience evoked a desire to transcend worldly attachments and achieve spiritual clarity.
Early in the morning, as I gazed at the sky, I witnessed a different spectacle of nature. Though I had seen such scenes before, I had never truly reflected on them. Immersing myself in this view, I realized how much time I had wasted. A new reflection of my Creator appeared in everything. The weather was splendid, and the joys of spring were visible all around. Yet, this particular view had an extraordinary and refined charm.
The sky seemed to be alive with emotions, expressing Itself through the play of clouds. Some clouds were light and serene, spreading calmness, while others were dense and dark, hinting at the possibility of rain. The duality in the sky reminded me of human life—how moments of joy and sorrow coexist, shaping our journeys. It felt as if the sky was telling me a story of balance, of how opposites complete one another. I couldn’t help but feel connected to this harmony.
The calm smile of the clouds, coupled with their playful glow and thunder, pulled every fiber of my being toward them. In some places, the clouds reigned supreme, while elsewhere, sunlight timidly peeked through their embrace, glittering in my pupils. Beneath these clouds, the chirping of birds transported me beyond my existence. I felt as if I were about to fly or as if I didn’t belong to this world. I was merely a traveler, here to waste time, having forgotten my true realm and destination. Every glance I cast toward the sky seemed to convey a message I could not decipher.
As I continued to gaze, a flock of birds flew gracefully across the sky, their synchronized movements mesmerizing me. Their freedom and unity stirred something deep within my heart. I wondered if humans, despite our intelligence, had lost the simple beauty of living in harmony. The sight of these birds made me long for a similar freedom—a release from the burdens of ego and worldly concerns. Their flight was a silent reminder of the vastness of existence beyond the limitations we impose on ourselves.
At that moment, my gaze fell upon the flowers that, in the happiness of spring, were shedding dewdrops like tears in the early morning. As I continued to watch, a refreshing breeze brushed past me, shattering my ego into pieces. The pain of my fragmented self made my soul weep and wail, but it also granted me a profound peace I had never experienced before. I lack the words to adequately describe this feeling, but one thing is clear: I will never forget it. If I were to call this state the “Sultan of Sensations,” it might not be an exaggeration.
Nearby, a gentle stream flowed, its water sparkling under the sunlight. The soft murmur of the stream felt like a soothing song, calming my restless thoughts. I sat by its edge, observing how the water flowed effortlessly, bending around obstacles in its path without resistance. It dawned on me that life, too, is like a stream—continuously moving, finding its way, and teaching us to adapt and flow gracefully through challenges.
Amid these beautiful clouds, some dark ones had claimed their place. Yet, soon, the radiant rays of the sun broke through them, spreading everywhere. At that moment, I realized this scene was a living manifestation of the Quranic verse that declares truth and eradicates falsehood. These luminous rays exemplified this perfectly. Another truth became evident: even dark clouds have their worth, showering rain indiscriminately, without distinguishing between the parched and the drenched. But we humans are the ones who create such divisions.
The mountains, too, stood firm, bearing witness to their existence, embedded like stakes In the earth. Their peaks, cloaked by dark clouds, appeared faint. Looking within, I saw my true self also shrouded by the fog of worldly desires. Suddenly, a strong gust of hopeful wind blew, dispersing some clouds and pouring rain from others. In a short while, the entire scene became as clear and bright as a polished mirror. For the first time, I turned inward again, striving to free my true self from worldly attachments, pondering where to find that wind which could illuminate my being just as it had cleared the view before me.
Amidst all this, a peculiar fear arose in my heart. It was neither of my past nor my future, not of losing worldly possessions nor of my existence fading away. It wasn’t driven by the desire for paradise or the dread of hell’s torment. This fear carried an inexplicable intimacy, drawing me closer to my reality.
After all this, I did not find my old self; rather, I discovered a new one—freed from the ego of the self and enclosed within the truth of existence. Yet, even this state did not satisfy me. I yearned to escape this too, to obliterate my being and achieve eternal union.
The writer is a student of Urdu Literature, with a focus on literary, philosophical, and psychological topics. He contributes articles to various newspapers and magazines in both English and Urdu.
