KISAH KISAH SUFI siri 2

AIR SORGA

Haris    seorang   Badawi,   dan   istrinya   Nafisa   hidup

berpindah-pindah tempat membawa tendanya yang tua. Dicarinya

tempat-tempat  yang ditumbuhi beberapa kurma, rumputan untuk

untanya, atau yang mengandung sumber air betapapun kotornya.

Kehidupan semacam itu telah dijalani bertahun-tahun lamanya,

dan  Haris  jarang  sekali   melakukan   sesuatu   di   luar

kebiasaannya.   Ia   biasa   menjerat  tikus  untuk  diambil

kulitnya, dan memintal tali dari serat pohon kurma untuk  di

jual kepada kafilah yang lewat.

Namun,  pada  suatu  hari sebuah sumber air muncul di padang

pasir, dan Haris pun mencicipi  air  itu.  Baginya  air  itu

terasa  bagaikan air sorga, sebab jauh lebih bersih dari air

yang biasa  diminumnya.  Bagi  kita,  air  itu  akan  terasa

memuakkan karena sangat asin. "Air ini," katanya, "harus aku

bawa keseseorang yang bisa menghargainya."

Karena itulah  ia  berangkat  ke  Bagdad,  ke  Istana  Harun

al-Rasyid;  ia  pun  berjalan  tanpa  berhenti kecuali kalau

makan beberapa butir kurma. Haris membawa dua kantong  kulit

kambing  penuh  berisi air: satu untuk dirinya sendiri, yang

lain untuk Sang Kalifah.

Beberapa hari kemudian, ia  mencapai  Bagdad,  dan  langsung

menuju istana. Para penjaga istana mendengarkan kisahnya dan

hanya karena begitulah aturan di istana mereka membawa Haris

ke hadapan Raja.

"Pemimpin  Kaum  yang  Setia,"  kata  Haris,  "Hamba seorang

Badawi miskin, dan mengetahui segala  macam  air  di  padang

pasir,  meskipun  mungkin  hanya  mengetahui sedikit tentang

hal-hal lain. Hamba baru saja menemukan Air Sorga  ini,  dan

menyadari bahwa ini merupakan hadiah yang sesuai untuk Tuan,

hamba pun segera membawanya kemari sebagai persembahan."

Harun Sang Terus terang mencicipi air  itu  dan,  karena  ia

sepenuhnya memahami rakyatnya, diperintahkannya para penjaga

membawa pergi Haris dan mengurungnya di suatu tempat  sampai

ia   mengambil   keputusan.   Kemudian  dipanggilnya  kepala

penjaga, katanya,  "Apa  yang  bagi  kita  sama  sekali  tak

berguna,  baginya  berarti  segala-galanya.  Oleh karena itu

bawalah ia pergi dari istana pada malam hari. Jangan  sampai

ia  melihat  Sungai Tigris yang perkasa itu. Kawal orang itu

sepanjang  perjalanan  menuju  tendanya   tanpa   memberinya

kesempatan  mencicipi  air segar. Kemudian berilah ia seribu

mata uang emas dan terima kasihku untuk persembahannya  itu.

Katakan  bahwa  ia  adalah penjaga air sorga, dan bahwa atas

namaku ia boleh membagikan air itu kepada kafilah yang lalu,

tanpa pungutan apapun.

Catatan

Kisah  ini  juga  dikenal sebagai "Kisah tentang Dua Dunia."

Kisah ini disampaikan oleh Abu  al-Atahiya  dan  suku  Aniza

(sezaman  dengan Harun al-Rasyid dan pendiri Darwis Mashkara

('Suka Ria') yang namanya di abadikan dalam istilah  Mascara

dalam   bahasa-bahasa  Barat.  Pengikutnya  tersebar  sampai

Spanyol, Perancis. dan negen-negeri lain.

Al-Atahiya disebut sebagai "Bapak puisi suci  Sastra  Arab."

Ia meninggal tahun 828.

KISAH KISAH SUFI

AHLI BAHASA DAN DARWIS

Pada  suatu  malam  kelam  seorang  darwis berjalan melewati

sebuah sumur kering ketika ia mendengar jerit  minta  tolong

dari dasar sumur itu. "Ada apa?"

"Saya  seorang ahli tata bahasa; karena tak tahu jalan, saya

terperosok ke sumur ini; sekarang saya tidak  bisa  bergerak

sama sekali," jawab orang itu.

"Tenang,  bung,  biar  saya  cari tangga bersama tali," kata

darwis itu.

"Tunggu dulu!" kata  Si  Ahli  Tatabahasa.  "Tatabahasa  dan

pilihan katamu keliru; usahakan memperbaikinya."

"Kalau  hal  itu  memang lebih penting dari yang pokok ini,"

teriak darwis itu, "kau  sebaiknya  tinggal  saja  di  dasar

sumur itu sampai saya bisa benar-benar berbahasa bagus."

Dan ia pun berlalu.

Catatan

Kisah  ini diceritakan oleh Jalaludin Rumi dan dicatat dalam

Tindakan  Para  Mahir  karya  Aflaki.   Kisah   ini   pernah

diterbitkan  di Inggris tahun 1965 dengan judul Dongeng Para

Sufi; kisah tentang Mevlevis  dan  tindakan-tindakannya  ini

ditulis pada abad ke empat belas.

Beberapa  kisahnya  sekedar  berupa  cerita aneh, namun yang

lain mempunyai nilai sejarah: dan  beberapa  lagi  merupakan

jenis  aneh  yang  oleh  para  Sufi dikenal sebagai "sejarah

penjelasan,"  yakni  serangkaian  kejadian   disusun   untuk

menunjukkan makna yang berkaitan dengan proses psikologis.

Berdasarkan  hal  itu, kisah-kisah itu disebut "Keterampilan

Ilmuwan Darwis."

Bowling Hook

Learning how to create a bowling hook can really enhance your bowling game. See, the direction of the bowling ball is generally determined by your aim and swing, but putting some spin on it can really up your chances for a strike. Most experienced bowlers put some side-spin on their throws purposely to improve their scoring options.

Bowling balls used to be made of plastic or hard rubber, but now they are almost always made of urethane cover stock. Bowling balls made out of urethane cover stock have a more significant reaction when spin is put on the ball. This makes hooking the ball easier. You can still find bowling balls made from plastic, but they are generally used as spare balls, which means players use them only when they are trying for a spare.

Enhancing your bowling hook will boost your bowling game, but it will never take the place of consistent play when you want to keep your scores high. The best way to get a better bowling average is by routinely playing a good game that includes perfect timing, great accuracy and good strength and balance. Getting a high score is great, but getting that same high score regularly is even better.

There are a few reasons to perfect your bowling hook, and upping the strike percentage is at the top of the list. Just throwing a straight ball and hitting the pocket every time is not enough to consistently get strikes. You must throw a straight ball and hit the pocket at precisely the right angle every time. And that is why a great bowling hook is so vital.

The key to a great hook is perfect release of the bowling ball. The ball needs to come off of your thumb first, so you can use your fingers to put spin on the ball. When you get some spin on it, the ball will rotate as it goes down the lane and hook into the pins. Your thumb should naturally come out of the ball first as you release, since it is shorter than your fingers. But it is also important to have a ball that fits your fingers properly.

The next important aspect to achieving a great hook is your approach. The hook is created during your approach and swing, so both of these techniques must be flawless. First, the arm holding your bowling ball should be at a right angle to your body, with the ball out in front of you pointing straight down the lane. Always hold the ball with your palm underneath the ball, facing up.

Your thumb should be hooked into the ball, pointing at 10 or 11 o’clock. Left-handed bowlers should point their thumb to 2 or 1 o’clock. Be sure to keep your wrist firm throughout the release. It is good to feel a little pressure on your fingers as they release the ball, because this is when the rotation is created.

Perfecting your bowling hook will take time and practice, so never get discouraged if it doesn’t come right away. As your hook skills improve, try increasing your hand action for an even more powerful rotation and even better hook!

How to Choose a Bowling Ball

Bowling balls come in all shapes and sizes, and knowing how to choose a bowling ball is vital to anyone who is serious about their game. Beginning bowlers can easily become confused trying to make decisions about which bowling ball to buy. Weight is a big issue, and so is deciding on cover stock, or what the ball is made out of (particle, reactive, urethane, etc.).

Professional bowlers generally have several bowling balls, maybe 6 or 7. Learning how to choose a bowling ball as a beginner can make a big difference in a bowler’s level of success. Even newcomers and intermediate level players should consider having at least 2 different bowling balls – a strike ball to use for strikes and a spare ball to use for spares.

Certain bowling ball qualities make some balls good for shooting strikes and other balls better for shooting spares. Strike balls grip onto the bowling lane more and tend to hook toward the pins as they hit, creating a better chance that the pins will all go down. Spare balls have a different cover stock than strike balls, and they are usually made of plastic. This kind of ball does not grip the lane like a strike ball and takes a straighter path down the lane. If you are shooting for a spare, you get the best results when aiming for a particular pin so the straight pathway of the spare ball is better for this type of shot.

Bowlers that really want to increase their average may choose to purchase a custom bowling ball, which can be done at the local pro shop. Custom balls work really well because they are made according to the purchaser’s specific needs. It is a good idea to get a professional opinion when deciding how to choose a bowling ball.

Custom balls are tailored to the bowler’s specific measurements and preferences. The pro shop will gather information about height, strength and weight. Of course they also take into account your preference for the bowling ball’s weight. Most pro shops will recommend a ball that is one-tenth of your own weight, so a 180-pound man would use an 18-pound ball. As with other preferences, this depends on the particular bowler and what makes them comfortable. Two more considerations when choosing a bowling ball are how you hold the bowling ball and whether you prefer a conventional grip or fingertip grip.

Conventional grip and fingertip grip are the different grips on a bowling ball. The holes in a conventional grip ball are drilled deep enough for the fingers to fit in to the 2nd knuckle. Conventional grip balls usually go straight down the lane with little or no curve. And this is the most common grip found in house balls at the

bowling alley.

The holes in a bowling ball with a fingertip grip are not drilled as deep,and the fingers only go in to the 1st knuckle. The fingertip grip leavesmore of the bowler’s hand exposed and able to grasp the ball. This allows for greater power and the ability to put some spin on the ball when it is released.

Bowling Lane Conditions

Bowling lane conditions are different every time you bowl. Even if you always use the same lane at your favorite bowling center, the lane will change from game to game.

Different factors are responsible for the differences in bowling lane conditions. Wooden lanes differ from synthetic lanes, and players can cause changes to a bowling lane that will make it feel different every time you play. The best way to evaluate the bowling lane is by asking yourself a few questions while you throw your warm-up shots.

Bowling Lane Conditions: Oily, Medium or Dry

You would think that the easiest way to check the condition of the bowling lane is by looking at it, but that is not the case. Even an oily lane is not easily visible, although it can be seen on your bowling ball. An oily bowling lane may leave an oil ring on your bowling ball as a clue. Generally, however, the way your bowling ball acts is the best way to determine lane conditions.

Your bowling ball will react differently depending on the bowling lane conditions. If the ball moves to the left, it means the lane is dry so you have to adjust your throw to the left. If the ball won’t hook, then the lane is oily so you will have to adjust your throw to the right. The key here is to adjust your throw in the same direction as the error.

Oily lanes require movement to the right, and a move known to bowlers as “closing the shoulders.” This means closing your shoulders in as you throw the ball. A dry lane calls for corrective movement to the left, and for this you want to open your shoulders up.

Oftentimes, the bowling lane will start out oily and your ball will not hook. As the game goes on, however, the bowling lane may dry out causing your ball to have more of a hook to the left. Always be aware of what the ball is doing and adjust your position and throw as necessary. And don’t forget that adjustments are always made in the same direction as the error.

Of course, the adjustments suggested here assume that you are using proper bowling techniques. If you are not using good technique – proper stance, correct ball position and release, good timing and complete follow-through – you may be the cause of your ball’s erroneous path, not the bowling lane.

To make sure you are using correct techniques, do the following:

- Keep your swing accurate and consistent.
- Make sure your swing is properly timed with the movement of your feet.
- Release the ball at precisely the right moment.
- Make sure you are walking straight on your approach.

Bowling Techniques

If you are a serious bowler, you want to continuously improve your bowling techniques to bowl the best game possible on a regular basis. Bowling involves certain skills that need to be mastered and then performed consistently to improve your bowling average. You learn and practice the steps to getting a strike, for example, and then repeat them over and over again.

There are 2 basic bowling actions that, when perfected, can turn your bowling game around: your approach and your swing. There are certain bowling skills used during each one of these actions. Consistently get those things right, and you will become a top-notch bowler.

The bowling approach involves 2 specific bowling techniques: stance and ball position.

The perfect stance sets you up for a perfect shot, and if your stance is off, your shot will be off too. In a correct stance, the knees will be slightly bent and the spine is angled forward just about 3 inches. This leg position gives you the power needed to push off with strength and balance.

Once the stance is right, focus on the position of your bowling ball. Basically this means how and where you hold the ball before beginning your swing. Generally, the ball is held about even with the waist during approach. Shorter people may want to hold the ball a bit higher to add some power to their swing.

Now that you and your bowling ball are in perfect position, it is time to work on swing.

The swing involves 4 additional bowling techniques: timing, release, rotation and finish.

Good timing is vital if you want to hit that 200-plus bowling average. When the timing is off, everything else is thrown off as well. Perfect timing leads right into when to release the bowling ball to get the perfect shot. For maximum control and accuracy, the ball should be released when your arm is at the very bottom of your swing. A good point of reference is to release your thumb from the ball when it is directly next to your ankle.

Rotation of the bowling ball comes into play at the exact moment the ball is released from your grip. Rotating your fingers just 2 or 3 inches as you let the ball go will create a nice hook as the ball glides into the pins.

As you finish your swing, your arm should be pointing directly up at the ceiling. If you finish in this position, you will have put plenty of power into your swing to give it a high number of revolutions going down the bowling lane.

No review of bowling techniques would be complete without talking about bowling balls. Nearly all good bowlers have at least 2 bowling balls: a strike ball and a spare ball. This is because different bowling balls work better for different types of shots, so you use the strike ball on your first throw and your spare ball to grab the spare on any 2nd throws.

You will want to use your strike ball for the first shot, when you are trying for a strike. To do this, start right at the center dot, which is the 20th board of the bowling lane. Once you are in position, focus your aim on the 2nd arrow from the right. Don’t forget to rotate the ball upon release to give it a nice hook into the pins.

Bowling Rules

Bowling rules were developed many years ago and have been standardized to provide a consistent bowling game no matter where you bowl. American bowling standards are monitored by two groups, the American Bowling Congress, which began in 1895, and the Women’s International Bowling Congress, which came along in 1916.

Bowling rules involve specifications that apply to all types of bowling equipment. Here we will go over the bowling rules for the balls, lanes and pins.

Bowling Ball Rules

The specifications for bowling balls state that the ball must be round and made of solid material. The circumference of a bowling ball cannot be bigger than 27 inches. The minimum weight for a bowling ball is 10 pounds, and the maximum weight is 16 pounds.

Most bowling balls have 3 holes – one each for the thumb, the middle finger and the ring finger. There are also bowling balls additional holes, which may help players to fine-tune their hand position while they are bowling.

Bowling Pin Rules

All bowling pins are made out of hard maple. The standard measurement of a bowling pin is 15 inches tall with a 2.75-inch diameter at the base and a 15-inch circumference at the widest point around the middle. The minimum weight of a bowling pin is 2 pounds 14 ounces, and the maximum weight is 3 pounds 10 ounces.

Bowling Lane Rules

A standard bowling lane has to be 60 feet long, measured from the foul line to the head pin, and have a width of 42 inches. The rules also state that a bowling lane must be level, with an error margin of just 40/10,000s of an inch. The condition of a bowling lane is determined by the oil pattern, which can be oily, medium or dry.