Der Mythenspiegel

Today Sheikh Mohamed Efendi’s 2nd sohbet as a successor for Mawlana. As I looked in his eyes this took me to the source, the origin, to THE eyes of all wisdoms, Mawlana. I remember the one night Oct-2011 when I asked him a question. In an angry voice he said, leave what is non of your concern, from now on you sit in front of me, he made a facial expression to show me how I should be. Open your eyes wide and mouth ( sign of being overwhelmed ) and nod your head in agreement to what is said. In addition, you must know the words I want in English before I say it.!! And it was. For the years to follow I did exactly that, and locked my eyes to His and listened. He talked, the words came from his eyes from heart his mouth, words not so easy to translate sometimes. During sohbet there were few words he wouldn’t accept. For example the Arabic word, محروم, deprived, he never accepted this translation. Other times he objected to my pronunciation for example, اخلاص, sincere. He would pronounce it more poetic, senceyar, rhymes with Shakespeare, pulse a shout.. This idiot dose not know English. Other times he would say an Arabic classical or Damascus dialect word that I wouldn’t recognize. Again a shout, but this time he would say. English I understand you don’t know but also Arabic you don’t know…! Very rarely if ever I would get the word he intend to say before he asked it, then maybe I get a head nod or a funny complement. When he was on the minbar for Jumaa khutba, once I was using my tasabeeh“praying beads“ in my hand. After Jumaa he said, it’s not accepted according to tradition those siting listing to khotba to hold beads during Khutba. That time period is considered as if you are in prayer then you shouldn’t occupy your self with any thing. In the television room he talked, at breakfast table, in derga, and then came the live broadcast. Then the pressure was more knowing that not only I have to quickly translate, but his shouting back is now LIVE heard all around the world. He set the rules, don’t occupy your self with anything except listing, leave what is non of your concern, agree to what is said, and express overwhelming gratitude.