This is the process that we use to work with the qualities each week. You can use the same steps to work with different qualities on your own. We learned these steps in Ibrahim Jaffe's 99 qualities workshop in Nov 2009.
1) Knowing the quality: This means knowing the name of the quality and it's correct pronunciation.
From our own experiences, we find that correct pronunciation is important as it changes our breathing patterns, and embodied experience of the quality, hence making the use of the names very powerful. It also helps us work more effectively with sacred sounds.
2) Intention: This step incorporates supplication for Divine help, and knowing what the quality does. In our case, we refer primarily to Sidi's book, The Meaning of the Names of Our Lord.
3) Opening: This step includes chanting the quality to feel it's light directly in your being. You are encouraged to explore the way you experience the quality of the name you are working with, for example, ya Rahim, in your being, whether as light, sound, taste, sensation, openings, etc.
4) Transmitting/holding: This means letting the Light of the Name work through your being, or letting it build into your being.
5) Running: Using the quality in a directed manner for healing.
6) Absorbing: This means letting the quality be established in your being. You may compare this to basking in the sunlight, letting the Divine quality shine into your being, and activate this quality inside your own soul, spirit, secret.
We hope you find this description helpful, beloveds. Comments, questions and feedback welcomed through the comment link at the bottom of this post.
peace,
Naila and Zahra
