大象传媒

From Sarah Joseph, Editor of a Muslim lifestyle magazine:
I was incredibly fortunate this weekend to attend the Service of Celebration for fellow Pause for Thoughter, Reverend Ruth Scott, who passed on a month ago. Hundreds of people gathered at Ruth鈥檚 old church in Richmond to reflect on, and to give thanks for, her life. It was a really moving service that captured Ruth鈥檚 wonderful and vibrant personality, her love of colour and nature, and her enormous contributions particularly in areas of conflict; and multiple speakers reflected on Ruth鈥檚 tremendous skill of being present. To be present - I find it no easy task.聽
In the midst of prayer I find myself worrying about the washing, or my work. In the middle of a conversation with a loved one I can find half my brain contemplating tomorrow鈥檚 travel plans. To be fully somewhere, or fully with someone, is really hard in my experience. And with the lure of my mobile phone 鈥� it seems ever harder. Yet to be truly present in the moment, is a real blessing I find. When you are with someone and you have their fullest attention. When you are somewhere and you feel completely connected to the beauty of the environment.聽
I find almost every cell feels alive and buzzing! In Islam, we are extolled to make a conscious intention before every action. And when I do it, I find it brings a presence and awareness that can be not only beautiful, but allows me to feel truly alive, not merely existing. Reverend Ruth 鈥� from all that I heard at the Service of Celebration 鈥� had seemingly conquered that art. People spoke of Ruth鈥檚 awareness of their emotions, of her profound connection to nature, of her ability to listen with her eyes (yes, her eyes!) 鈥� all of which radiated an inner beauty.聽
And so, although Saturday鈥檚 service was sad, it was also joyful. Whilst it recognised the inevitability of the journey of death, it focused on the skill of living. As one speaker said, 鈥淚 travelled to meet Ruth in her final days feeling desperately sad, and left her feeling joyful.鈥� As a Muslim I believe that I will return to God, and when I do that I pray that I will be joyful, as Qur鈥檃n reminds: "Return to your Lord, well-pleased, and well-pleasing to Him.鈥� I鈥檓 sure Reverend Ruth has.