When I sat down after last night’s ride, to bullet-point the thoughts which most consumed me, I didn’t get too far. You see, some of what I think about I’m afraid to share. After all, I’m someone whose self-worth is supremely correlated with how others view me. And the truth be told, I hold back a lot of what I think about for that reason. For example…
Most people reading this have no idea I’ve been privately studying Islam for a decade, and my interest in it goes back another decade beyond that. That’s not a joke. To date, I’ve completed nearly 30 books on the subject and have been to a local Islamic center a handful of times meeting with their education leader.
My interest hasn’t yet guided me to accept Islam as a faith, and I’m not sure it ever will. I do feel though, connected with it far better than the Judaism I was raised with or the Christianity that surrounds me. Whether I accept Islam into my life or not is a story for another day. I can only say that as a blueprint for community living, I’ve not seen a better one, and I’ve looked at most of them — in depth.
Just the thought of sharing that with an audience of dozens frightens me, though it’s been on my mind nearly every ride since I began this page four years ago, and since I began blogging and 2002. The Islamic faith, as a model for community living and how one should conduct one’s self privately, is what I think about as much cycling, fitness, and all the other nonsense that occupies my brain.
That’s as much as I’m going to share for now. Throwing this out there this morning, to people who will fix to strong opinions quickly, feels like jumping out of an airplane. And if you know my story, the last time I jumped out of an airplane, it didn’t go so well, but I did make a full recovery. Still, this morning I’m taking that leap.
We live in an age where we accept a president who says it’s okay to grab a woman by the pussy. We have state legislatures making it more difficult for poor people and people of color to vote. We have elected officials proposing legislation to minimize the rights of gay and transgender people. We have representatives and senators who are willing to make racist and homophobic statements to the cheers of the crowds which finance them. Yet in all of that, I’m afraid to show my true colors. Shame on me. Shame on us all.
This is what I think about when I ride… Jhciacb
This Week By The Numbers…
170 miles
7,300’ climbing
15.0 mph avg
9,700 calories
Seat Time: 11 hours 22 minutes
Whether you ride a bike or not, thank you for taking the time to ride along this week. If you haven’t already, please scroll up and subscribe. If you like what you read, give it a like and a share. If not, just keep scrollin’. Oh, and there’s this from Praise. Enjoy…!
The Spoke And Word™ 
Not too a far distance from jib jab to hijab…
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I didn’t know that about you. Makes total sense to me. I’ve found Buddhism and especially Daoism or Bhai much more sensible than Western religions. I resonate with spirituality most above all.
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You didn’t know because it’s something I’ve been very quiet about. It doesn’t bode well for a Jewish kid, born in Massachusetts and growing up in Colorado, to talk about a faith that was born half a world away. But I guess I’m talking about it now…
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The idea of finding a belief system or deity that fits your current mood is sort of funny and foreign to me but I am pretty much a non believer. I think that the least noxious and violent shade of Islam is the Sufi flavor, hence they have been pretty much hunted down in the middle east as have the Hazari. If you do go full blown I hope that you will forego the whole smiting part of the equation, the constant internecine warfare that has marked a large part of the creed since the initial sunni/shia split back in the 700’s. If you come gunning for the yids please give me a head start.
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Thank you, Robert. My interest has always been an early Islam, the era of the Rashid doing, the constitution of Medina, which I know is controversial, but I believe it.
What I struggle to believe, and why I’ll probably never go “full-blown“ is the revelation itself. That said, and like I said in the piece, as a blueprint for a living it’s on par with Confucianism, which is something I’ve also been enamored with for the last 20 years or so.
It’s funny how talk of Islam always defaults to the Middle East, when they account for roughly 17% of the worlds Muslim population. Of course this makes sense, because that’s where it was founded, but I like to remember the billion and a half Muslims who live in Asia, Oceana, Africa, and even right here in the United States, and who knows, maybe Fallbrook…
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Good for you brother stay true to you and your beliefs. Never be afraid, ashamed or have any doubt. My Mom’s sister one of Japans first woman Shinto Priest sharing Buddhism,our Dad Roman Catholic, relatives of LDS,and Jehovah Witness faith all had me puzzled. Growing up with Muslim and Jewish friends. Me not embracing any of their faiths, although I did truly respect them. I knew and understood you observed several religions. I’m straight up Christian and do not prejudge anyone.Do your thing brother,go with what moves you and touches your heart.
Love You Man, Always🤙🏽
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Thank you, Amigo. Much Love and much appreciation…
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As-Salaam-Alaikum . . . K
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Coming into one’s self. A journey. A blessed journey.
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Thank you, Bill. Blessed indeed…
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I applaud you for expanding your spirituality. I wish you well
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Thank you, Cliff for taking the time. It’s much longer story than I let on here, and maybe I’ll write more in the future. With gratitude…. Buck
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the road to to finding our path is a fun one, never the less terrifying at times. Where will the path take us… See you on the crossroads.
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