I never thought much about the significance of 𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 .
Since young, I was taught to say 𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 before I sleep, before I eat, before I say my prayers etc
And if you think it sounds familiar, you’re not wrong. Freddie Mercury included it in Bohemian Rhapsody - you know the part - “𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝! No, we will not let you go. Let it goooooo”.
Initially I was hesitant about sharing this post, thinking I might offend the non-believers by writing about Bismillah, which is an invocation used by Muslims at the beginning of an undertaking. Plus I feel conflicted because I'm not particularly religious as well.
But this was an inquiry that stayed with me since the subject of religion came up in my yoga sutra study class. And having gone through some personal struggles recently- I started to question why I say 𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 and the feeling it evokes in me?
Oxford Languages defines 𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 as “In the name of God” - but I found another beautiful translation of it by Wahiduddin -
𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 expresses our wonder, awe and thankfulness while it also expresses our innermost prayer that we may have the blessing of another breath, another moment of life, and that we may walk on a path of truth and understanding.
In my fixation over 𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 - I found a very old story that went like this:
One of Prophet Mohammad’s companion complained to him about bodily pain. The Prophet told him to place his hand on the part that hurts, say 𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 thrice and say the dua: 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳. There upon his pain disappeared.
Is 𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 the answer to all our problems? You know when our heart is breaking, when we are grasping at straws, when there is no more hope?
I don’t know the answer, and as I like to always say to my students “The answer to how is in your Heart” so……
For right now, saying 𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 gives me a sense of peace when I repeat it over and over again. It grounds me and it’s like my spiritual safety net. It doesn’t solve my problems but it’s ONE way to get me out of my head and into my heart, ever since I’m practising to say it with feeling, with an intentional desire to be thankful and joyful.
It’s just a word, and I won’t pretend it makes me more religious, no but being 100% intentional saying it, makes a whole lot of difference and it’s a start.
Only God knows that I try to be a better human being, in my own way, every single day and that counts for something, right?
I know some of us are not so religious, or maybe you are. It doesn’t really matter. Maybe 𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 is not your thing, or maybe you have something else that grounds you and keeps you connected to this earth, to this life, to your heart. Or maybe you are still searching.
But could 𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 be what you need? I don’t know. Is it possible that this word or your version of this word - could give you access to peace and being grounded - if you set clear intentions?
I believe 𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 could be universal like love - love is universal, love is not exclusive - love for all human kind, animal, plants , non- living….
So to all of you brave souls out there - this is my wish for you:
𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 ♡ 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑦𝑒𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒
𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 ♡ 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡’𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒
𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙝 ♡ 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡, 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
Journal
We sometimes take for granted the simplest of words, rituals or things - which can be the perfect antidote for what is really needed. What is the one thing grounds you? What is your anchor? If you are still searching, be curious about one constant in your life, and then see if you can say or do it with more feelings of peace and being grounded.
Please share in the comments below - I’d love to know your story and your experiences.
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