Initially, Sophia found it truly strange to be eating in complete silence.
There were people around, but the only thing that could be heard were the sounds of people moving about.
This practice was to help one develop the practice to focus one's attention and have outer and inner awareness. When you are silent, you tend to think - some overthink.
But nonetheless, you start to reflect on the day, on your life and such situations.
Another thing that Sophia had to get used to was that they did not have dinner. Thus, she had to learn to eat what she really needed in order to last the day yet not be too greedy that she overstuffs herself.
Their days were full of sessions of meditation, teachings and discussion groups. Everyone was to attend every session.
One could even approach the lamas of the monastery if they wanted personal guidance.
One could not, however, disturb them (and the monks) of their studies. They were to observe propriety and never invite them to the room - even if it was to learn more. They had to learn to respect them by learning their habits and way of life, and follow accordingly.
In other words, no matter what your own perception and beliefs are, you are to follow and respect others.
They were also expected to live like monks, in the sense of being serious in their meditation, studies. To keep to the five precepts: no killing, stealing, lying, sexual activity, tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs of any kind.
Men and women were to be in separate rooms, and one is not allowed to visit the rooms of the opposite sex. Even couples who attended were separated, and would even sit separately in the meditation hall.
Lastly, the dress code was loose, simple, comfortable and appropriate for the monastic environment. Nothing sexy, short or revealing was to be worn.
The more Sophia stayed and learned, the more she felt that it reflected Islam in so many ways. Rather, the teachings and the core aspects of it were all the same.
Meditation? That was the five prayers in Islam. The five precepts were also things that were forbidden in Islam. Eating was also the same. Though in Buddhism, they only had two meals, the purpose behind it was the same in Islam.
In Islam, you are to eat only what you need to. Stop when you are full and never waste food. Never eat excessively or lavishly. They even had their fasting, which was to cleanse the body.
At the end of the ten day course, Sophia knew that this was not for her.
The fact that she could understand the principles behind Buddism yet see it to be similar to Islam was disturbing.
Disturbing in the sense that she would never truly be able to immerse herself in the teachings of Buddism if she was to constantly compare it to something else. Although, more importantly, she felt something was missing from Buddhism for her.
Since she started believing in a higher being, the fact that Buddhism doesn't meant that it wasn't for her.
Despite that, she didn't leave the area immediately.
She stayed in a hostel for two weeks to truly reflect on what she had learned from the monastery and see if she was making a decision properly. At the end of the two weeks, she knew for a fact that it wasn't for her.
So she went to the next location, to learn about Christianity.
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Sofiya spent the next few days to tell Ali all about her spiritual journey. She had gone and tried out quite a lot - though not all.
In the end, she realised that all of the religions had, in essence, the same concepts. Even Christianity (especially the Old Testament), forbade drinking and pre-marital sex. She also found that the contents of the Bible were almost similar to the contents of the Al-Quran.
With that realisation, she then focused not on its teachings, but in the core belief of those teachings. Just who were they praying to, or what did they believe?
Buddhists seek to reach a state of nirvana and did not believe in any deity. It may teach the concept of gods, heavens, and rebirths, but it considers none of these gods as a creator.
Christians believed in God and that God is the Creator and in Trinity i.e. God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It wasn't that there were three separate Gods, but one God, that was three.
The more she learned, the more confused she got.
When she came to Islam, however, it was as if everything fell into place. Everything made perfect sense.
There was only one God.
Her heart felt peace.
With that, she knew, without a doubt, that Islam was the religion for her.
After hearing this journey of Sofiya, Ali was amazed. He was born into the religion, so seeing it from the perspective of one who was seeking it actively, was fascinating and enlightening.
"When did you revert?" Ali asked.
"Three months ago," Sofiya replied.
"Wait, if you had decided on Islam so long ago, why did you only come back a month ago?" Ali enquired in puzzlement.
"I wasn't sure if you … well, I did break up with you," Sofiya said softly, "I was scared."
Ali hugged her tightly to him, "There was not a single day in my life that I didn't think about you. I always prayed for you, that you were happy and safe, wherever you may be."
Sofiya smiled, hugging him back.
While the two lovebirds were getting to know each other all over again, one gleeful man was looking at the report about Ali's wedding.
It made huge headlines, partly because Ali was so young but mostly because despite the lavish wedding ... his best friends, the Elite Five, were not there.
He picked up the phone and said, "It's time."
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