Nowadays, almost everyone working in corporate America agrees that there is dog-eat-dog competition going on among rival companies as well as among candidates for jobs in these companies. The price companies pay for even a short period of “relaxation” in this non-stop race is very high: it is paramount to going out of business. The same holds true for individuals; a brief disengagement from the field or the market is likely to have serious negative consequences for one’s career. There is endless hassle without a break. Such stiff competition has devastating results at all levels: At the individual level, a wide range of psychological disorders and psychosomatic illnesses, such as stress and stress-related disturbances, and frequently sacrificing one’s values, such as altruism and humility, to survive in a job; at the family level, neglecting family members, especially children, who beg for genuine care and quality time from their parents; at the societal level, the loss of respect and care for one another, and indifference to problems in the society.

This article is neither a detailed description of the complete list of problems caused by the current system in many industrialized countries nor a practical remedy guaranteed to work the next day. It is obvious that the problems mentioned above cannot be fixed overnight or through band-aid solutions to only one aspect of life. With that in mind, it is also important to realize that any solution to any problem is influenced to a great extent by the underlying philosophy. Therefore, this article offers some fruits of reflection by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, collectively suggesting a thought-provoking perspective to the disturbing picture given above. To this end, a unique description of the gracious environment offered by nature-in its unspoiled, pure form-is presented, as opposed to the suffocating climate-as briefly described above-in the superficial world that mankind has built for itself.

While being continuously busy with, or even overwhelmed by, the necessities of modern life have you ever reflected upon what Almighty offers us through Nature? Here are a few points to think about and thank for; please read with your heart as well as with your mind:

• All animate beings-from the most powerless to the most powerful-are given some suitable form of sustenance. A hand of infinite generosity gives feasts to all living things, none being forgotten. A little thought given to the variety of living things on the earth and the corresponding diversity of the types of sustenance they continuously beg for will suffice to realize the overall grace as a principle that is always at work.1

• By merely glancing at the material causes we can find clues that we have been provided with all our needs. Has it ever occurred to you that we are being dressed in the finest of fabrics-silk-by an insect that has no limbs and that we are eating wholesome and sweet honey from a bug that has a poisonous sting? Have you ever reflected on grapes? Bediuzzaman once saw a grapevine in a garden. He counted the bunches hanging from that grapevine, all of a thickness of two fingers. They numbered one hundred and fifty five. He counted the grapes in one bunch. There were around one hundred and twenty. He thought that if that vine had been a tap from which flowed honey-flavored water and if it had given a constant flow of water, it would have been just enough for to water the grapes, which in the face of extreme heat, contained hundreds of little pumps of the sherbet of mercy.2-3

• There is an inverse relationship between sustenance on the one hand and strength and willpower on the other. The more one relies on strength and willpower, the more difficult it will be to sustain one’s life. For example, it is the most helpless and delicate creatures that have the choicest food; for example, infants and the young of all species. The most impotent and least intelligent animals are the best nourished; like worms with fruit. On the other hand, the most powerful and intelligent animals experience difficulty in their livelihood. It is the wild beasts, such as lions, that have to relentlessly pursue their prey. The cunning fox remains thin in its search for food.4

• Compassion is apparent in relationships between living things. In the world of plants, look at the fruit-bearing trees. For example, the coconut tree, which carrying fruit that are like so many cans of ready-to-drink nourishment, gives sweet milk to its fruits while contenting itself with muddy water. Trees like the pomegranate and grapevines distribute a delicious beverage to their fruit and, in extreme heat, content themselves with mud. In the world of animals, look at the self-sacrifice mothers display. The hen has the courage to sacrifice its life for her chicks, throwing herself at a dog. She remains hungry and gives them food to eat. And she receives such pleasure in her duty that she prefers the pains of hunger and pangs of death.5-6

Regardless of how much we, human beings, have destroyed such a nourishing cradle in pursuit of our endless desires this is the description of our environment-in its pristine form-that has been prepared for humankind. One can easily realize what an important mistake it is for a guest, long awaited and shown such respect, to be in conflict with such a wonderful environment. Personally, I would be much happier to be in harmony with this environment than to be an inhabitant of a merciless, hostile one.

Just imagine for a second that aliens in space are watching the world. They will quickly realize that human beings, the most intelligent of living things, are those in the greatest agony; in contrast to all other members of the same world who are living content with their lives. I think we need to stop and take a careful look at our lives from above this hasty flow and decide what we are looking for.

Nature is out there, always ready to provide lessons that offer solutions to the problems in the world of humanity and I hope that the people tackling these problems will consult with this objective, age-old instructor and, where applicable, make use of the wisdom it offers.

Notes

• Nursi, Said, The Words, Sozler Publications, Translated by Þukran Vahide, Istanbul: 2002, The Tenth Word, Second Truth, p. 75.
• Ibid.
• Ibid., The twenty-second word; second station; sixth flash. p. 309.
• Ibid., p. 75.
• Ibid., p. 75.
• Nursi, Said, The Flashes Collection, Sozler Publications, Translated by Þukran Vahide, Istanbul: 2000, The Seventeenth Flash, Eighth Note, p. 171.

In our daily lives, we come into contact with several different people. We trade or work together with some of these people, while with others we just exchange greetings or a few words. There are also some people with whom we share our troubles, worries, or joys. Life becomes sweeter and more meaningful with these people. People to whom we can open up our inner worlds tell us their sincere opinions about our good or bad sides. We realize our dreams and wishes; namely, we realize ourselves through them. And we can really be ourselves when we are with them. We experience friendship, brotherhood (or sisterhood), and we share our secrets with them. Real friendships are built over years as people get to know and try out one another, building up mutual trust. It is very difficult to maintain such good relationships through a lifetime without shaking the trust of the other person. When trust is shaken, the relationship collapses and shatters like glass, since the feeling of security is like a glue that adheres people together and improves relationships. Nothing can go right when there is no trust between spouses, children and parents, an employer and employees, directors and those who are directed, the state and its citizens, or between institutions. In such cases, people cannot fulfill their potential, they cannot present their positive feelings, cannot work efficiently, cannot try new things; relations become mechanical and life becomes robotic, blocking the ways that lead to both material and spiritual gain. Imagine a family with no feeling of trust between its members. Which member of that family can share their thoughts, joys, grief, or troubles with the rest? Such a family can only produce children deprived of love, and spouses weary of defending their interests.

On the other hand, a family which is made up of members who trust the others in opening up their ideals, ambitions, and their strong and weak sides will be the complete opposite, for the members of that family will feel confident that they will not be let down in return. Love, tolerance, and compassion prevail there. Sorrows, joys, and worries are all shared; everyone tries to realize their dreams and hopes.

How is a feeling of security maintained? Who do people trust? To whom can people entrust their property or life peacefully? Why isn’t everybody trustworthy? Are they not aware of the significance of trust in the family, in society, and in the business world; or do they choose not to be trustworthy? Or, perhaps, they don’t know how to be trustworthy.

Many things have been said about the importance of feelings of trust. Prophet Muhammad also stressed this fact, saying “The real believer is the person whom people are secure concerning their property and lives.” Then he underlined the six virtues of a trustworthy person as follows: “if you can make me promises concerning six things, I can assure Paradise to you. When you speak, speak the truth, fulfill what you have promised, be trustworthy with what has been entrusted to you, be chaste, protect your eyes from the unlawful, and keep your hands from harming others.” When we think about this on the whole, we are able to see that the people who have these qualities are trustworthy people. If a person has noble qualities, such as modesty, loyalty, tolerance, righteousness, courage, patience, vigor, and frankness, that person inspires trust in those around them. However, it is not enough to have such a character if a person is to establish a good dialogue with others. If we are to express ourselves confidently and overcome the difficulties we face in life, we need to have the ability to develop dialogue and good relations with other people.

Open Communication Leads to Trust

People need to feel secure in opening up their feelings and thoughts to others, so that they are able to establish a good relationship. Expressing ourselves freely, opening up to somebody else, is in direct proportion with the degree of sincerity and trust between that person and ourselves. Undoubtedly, we cannot simply open up to everyone we meet. Opening up means finding somebody we can trust. It takes time for one person to trust another. The person who is able to open up inspires trust in the other and receives the message “I trust you” in return. The trusted person opens up further and this leads to a deeper and closer relationship. When a person is reserved, on the other hand, then they initiate a vicious circle which makes the other party suppress their feelings. Surely, open communication is not possible at all times. There are also risks in open communication, but it is not healthy to be totally introverted all the time. If a person becomes too introverted, then they will suffer terrible loneliness. Open communication should not be expected from the other person at all times, and it should not be dependent on the initiation of open communication by the other party. One must take a risk in order to be open; almost all achievements in life are based on taking risks, to a lesser or greater degree. If we are open with the person with whom we are communicating, if we can trust and appreciate them, then they will also respond in the same manner, be open to us, and appreciate us. The steps we take in order to learn the truth, to improve ourselves, and to realize our thoughts are dependent on accepting the risk of being open.

Open communication is not only important in family relationships or friendships; it has a fundamental role in working relationships in both the private and public sectors in order to build up trust. A good leader knows that a small group cannot find the right solution to everything. They keep in mind that not only the executive board, but other employees may also have valuable knowledge, and that these “lesser beings” are no less intelligent than their “superiors.” Therefore, a good leader tries to keep in contact with the information potential at the ground level. The aim of a good leader is not only to teach others what to do, but also to ask how they can be of help and to comprehend what happens in practice. A leader does not decide everything behind closed doors. Instead, they clearly express their targets, anxieties, and needs, maintaining the flow of information from the bottom through to the top by establishing healthy communication. In this way people can see that their efforts are appreciated and they feel better. Who doesn’t want to be appreciated? Who doesn’t want to be listened to, cared about, and valued? How can a leader who does not maintain open communication with those at the ground level, who does not make people feel that they are important and that their ideas are valued gain their full support? People trust and do not want to disappoint leaders and managers who value them.

In Turkey, in the city of Diyarbakir, when the city’s Chief Commissioner of Police died, the funeral was held at the Governors Mansion. Tens of thousands of people from all over the city filled the street early in the morning. They were truly mourning the late Commissioner; it was as if they had lost a close relative. But what had made them love him so much? How had he managed to conquer the people’s hearts? In one of his interviews, he essentially answered this question: “We have established individual contact with our citizens; we have actively participated in their social activities and even their sports.” He continued as follows “I listen to everybody, I talk to everybody. I visit any grocer; if he’s busy I go on to the next. The sincere hospitality shown by an ordinary shop owner is one of the best feelings. In short, I am together with my people. When I was given this duty, they told me to protect the lives and properties of the people; this is my responsibility. Being the Chief Commissioner does not make me different, all of us are humans. We cannot act as we choose. People need to be loved, people need to be respected. If people respect me and I respect them, there isn’t much more to do. This is what people look for in this city.”

Here is the secret of maintaining trust: being close to people, making individual contact, not seeing one’s rank as a privilege, and not looking down on anybody. The Chief Commissioner saw himself as an ordinary man in society, and approached everybody with the same love, respect, affection, and sincerity, no matter what their age, sex, or ethnic background. One cannot help but remember the wise words of Ali ibn Abi Talib “Be a(n ordinary) person among people.” It makes no difference if one is a state official, or a company executive, or just a volunteer who wants to win people’s hearts; you will fail if you do not follow this principle. An absence of trust prevents us from realizing our goals effectively. When we manage to maintain trust however, people just flow toward the common goal spontaneously, like a river which has found its bed. This will be the time when you have attained real success.

Sharing Your Thoughts and Work Increases Trust

Keeping close contact with people is the type of behavior that builds up trust. Some administrators even adopt the principle of not making friends with the staff. They just get entangled with the pomp and prestige of their position, overlooking their own mistakes. Those who are open and realistic on the other hand, receive the same attitude from the people who work under their command.

Listen to Yourself and to Others

A person who knows how to listen can solve most matters easily. Someone who has the patience to listen to people can initiate a better dialogue with people through this ability. While listening, they can learn more, understand new points, and attain a deeper comprehension by seeing different aspects of issues; they can then put forward new solutions.

Listening to oneself leads a person to a deeper comprehension of themselves. If we learn to listen to our different moods and feelings, then we can get to know ourselves better. We realize our strong and weak sides. Someone who knows who they are and what one is experiencing is able to understand others more easily, and is able to look at things from their point of view, thanks to the broader perspective they have attained by listening to themselves. Listening makes people feel that they have been given importance. Not only does it show that you are interested in the person in front of you, but listening to someone helps you to predict that person’s disappointments before it is too late and helps you to prevent them.

Try to sense what people feel. Try to understand how fragile relationships are and the importance they bear for people. Know how difficult it is to establish these relationships and how easily they are damaged. Listen to both yourself, and those around you.

Be Predictable

Being consistent and predictable in a complex world helps the people around you to feel secure. Those who feel that the ground under their feet is firm can be open to new ideas and are not discouraged from taking risks. If they know that you do not change your attitude every day, they will feel that they can trust you. Predictability means being the same person all the time, so that people can predict how you will respond. Do not be afraid of telling the truth. Always give the same message; make yourself clear about what you expect from people. The trust you are to inspire will be the best help you can offer them.

The purpose of our creation is obvious: to reach our utmost goals of belief, knowledge, and spirituality; to reflect on the universe, humanity, and God, and thus prove our value as human beings. Fulfilling this ideal is possible only through systematic thinking and systematic behavior. Thought will provoke action, and thereby start a œprosperous cycle. This cycle will produce more complex cycles, generating between the heart’s spirituality and the brain’s knowledge, and thereby develop ever-more complex ideas and produce larger projects.

Carrying out such a process calls for strong belief, consciousness, and understanding. People with these characteristics can realize and analyze the unreflective lifestyles of others. Such people think, do what they believe to be right, and then reflect upon their behavior, thereby continually deepening their thoughts and acquiring new ideas. They believe that only those who reflect deeply are productive, and that the pain and suffering they endure makes their belief stronger and more acceptable.

They live a life of reflection by observing creation every day, sometimes reading it like a book or embroidering their minds with the wisdom they acquire. Believing that the universe was created to be œread and understood, the purpose of our creation must be nothing but that.

On its own, existence is the very bounty that leads us to a prosperous path of bounties. Given this, we should appreciate its value. Since we were created, as was a whole universe of bounties, we must use these gifts and benefit from them.

To reach this goal, we must use our willpower, a voice heard by the All-Powerful One, and develop our abilities and skills to their furthest extent, thus proving ourselves to be willful beings. Our duty is to reflect upon our place in life, our responsibilities, and our relationship with this vast universe. We should use our inner thoughts to explore creation’s hidden side. As we do so, we will begin to feel a deeper sense of our selves, see things differently, witness that events are not what they seem, and realize that events are trying to communicate something to us.

I believe that this should be life’s real purpose. We are the most important living creation in this universe. In fact, we are more like its soul and essence from which the rest of the universe develops. Given this, we should reflect upon and observe it so that we may realize and fulfill the purpose of our creation. Our duty is to hunt for insights and divine joys in our hearts and souls, for only this way of life can move us beyond the frustrating endeavors of a totally materialistic and painful life.

What makes this painful life worth living is the joy we feel while moving along the path and receiving the gifts we are given. Those who walk this path are constantly delighted with various insights. They run enthusiastically toward their final goal like a river flowing to the sea.

We do not believe that happiness comes from temporary outer sources. True happiness comes from within, deepens along with our relationship with God, and turns into an eternal life in heaven … yes, this is how joyful we are. Our inner world is a realm of Divine insights, and our consciousness is a follower of these insights. As we beckon and wait all our lives for the slightest glimpse, our souls sing in utter pleasure: œOur hearts are your throne, O King! Welcome to our hearts! (M. Lutfi).

Our generation needs guides to teach us how to achieve such belief, thought processes, and happiness. Their guidance will allow our youth to enjoy being young and living upright lives. They will experience existence and non-existence as the same thing once they feel immortality in their souls; realize that they can do more than they thought in only a couple of seconds; see the afterlife reflected in everything and thereby witness endless life; discover that life is worth living; witness that all creation rises and sets in their souls; and journey through the dimensions of their souls, just like travelling through galaxies, observing infinity within the dimensions they reach during this mortal life.