Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
Tasyakur, as an expression of deep gratitude to God for all the blessings we have received—both visible and invisible—encompasses an inner awareness of a heart that praises and glorifies God.
Therefore, based on the potential of each person’s spiritual abilities and intelligence—which are necessarily based on religion—the attitude of tasyakur can be the key to opening the heart to see the vast and beautiful landscape of the vast spiritual universe. Uniquely, entering the spiritual realm can be done with the simplest things—beginning with the attitude of tasyakur—as a total acknowledgment of all the gifts and blessings received from God—from the pleasure of eating with gusto with simple side dishes, which is part of the awareness to enter a deeper and deeper spiritual understanding.
Even the pleasure of defecating, when experienced as part of the pleasures given by God, can awaken an immeasurable sense of gratitude that leads to a deeper and deeper spiritual understanding.
These small spiritual experiences, when explored more broadly, will reveal a more abundant spiritual source. Imagine when even farting feels obstructed and obstructed, we can be led to the realization that humans are truly limited, and that even if we can only exercise sovereignty over ourselves, we will still complain more to God.
A spiritual experience can be gleaned from a meal with an extended family—one that is quite wealthy, at least with all the most delicious side dishes served in abundance—yet, during the meal, the host is more busy with his wife discussing how much food has been consumed—because the wealthy host must limit his rice consumption even to eat, due to this and that illness that has plagued him.
Therefore, when a Sufi poet friend invited us to his home, which was very modest in all proportions, we could eat with gusto just with eggplant chili sauce and salted fish, as if it were a heavenly gift. This means that when an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving (tasyakur) can be ignited in a clear and pure heart, even the simplest things can bring joy, making the journey up the spiritual path even more enjoyable and enjoyable.
The same applies to discernment from a clear and sincere heart. At first glance, the Car Free Day atmosphere, which is more prominent in the festive spirit and attitude of self-entertainment during the holiday, is evident in the many people in wheelchairs with regretful faces, as if they were too late to express their gratitude to God, recalling their youthful, energetic days, only now realizing the power of the All-loving and All-merciful God who once gave them strength, agility, and resilience in the field of sports. But now, all that remains is a melancholy and romantic reminiscence of youth gone by.
This means that the opportunity to practice inner practice in our twilight years is still abundantly given by God, so we no longer need to grieve for all that has left us. Because in the next moment, we too will leave all of that behind, without any compromise. Because the law of God—God’s law—which we often call the law of nature is indeed true. **
Banten, August 8, 2025
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