What are some specific feelings, challenges, outcomes of your meditation? What difference (if any) does listening to the Sufi music make?

What are some specific feelings, challenges, outcomes of your meditation? What difference (if any) does listening to the Sufi music make?
MENA 160 A1 The Religion of Islam Dr. Nassa PAPER #2 MEDITATION JOURNAL EXPERIENTIAL ASSIGNMENT Sufism is one of the most misunderstood dimensions of Islamby Muslims and non-Muslims alike. To understand more about Sufism and its connection to contemporary spirituality, you will write a 5-6 page journal that reflects on your own experience with meditation. Your journal is due on Wednesday, March 27th or Friday, March 29th in your discussion section. Be sure to bring a hard copy to your section and upload your paper to D2L prior to class. You will undertake an experiential exercise that links Sufi practice with other meditation forms that have recently become popular in the United States. To do so, you will keep a journal for one week (7 consecutive days) in which you track and reflect on your meditation practices and the impact that Sufi music has (or does not have) on it. First: Familiarize yourself with general meditation practices. Links can be found here: https://zenhabits.net/meditation-guide/ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gallery/2011/jan/22/how-to-meditate-ten-steps-headspace https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12124/meditation-for-people-who-dont-meditate-a-12-step-guide.html Second: Familiarize yourself with the Sufi music selection here: Sufi Meditation Music: Allaho Akbar, Ya Rahimo https://youtu.be/t-J1hVGzWro Third: Write at least a half-page reflection (typed, double spaced) on your thoughts about meditation before beginning this experiment. What do you think of meditation in general? What are you expecting from this meditation practice? Fourth: Commit to meditating for at least 10 minutes every day for a week, preferably the same time each day. Alternate days when you listen to the Sufi music and when you meditate in silence. Fifth: Each day at least a page (typed, double spaced) about your practice. What are some specific feelings, challenges, outcomes of your meditation? What difference (if any) does listening to the Sufi music make? Be sure to apply some of the key concepts of Sufism and/or spirituality (either readings or lectures) to your reflections. (See Rubric for more guidelines.) Note: BE HONEST! There is no right or wrong way to feel, and feelings change from one day to the next. Sixth: After the seven days have ended, write at least one page (typed, double spaced) of concluding thoughts: What is your attitude towards meditation before vs. after this week? What changed about your spiritual awareness? Is this something you think you would continue? Why or why not? ? RELI 160 Meditation Journal Grading Rubric (Adapted from: https://comminfo.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/journal_reflection_rubric_generic.docx) Criteria Unsatisfactory-Beginning Developing Accomplished Exemplary Total Content Reflection 0-34 points 35-39 points 40-44 points 45-50 points /50 – Introduction and journal reflections do not demonstrate critical thinking. – No examples given to support observations. – No connections made – Introduction and journal reflections demonstrate limited critical thinking in analyzing and evaluating key concepts related to Sufism and/or spirituality. – Few examples given to support observations. – Minimal connections made – Introduction and journal reflections demonstrate some degree of critical thinking in analyzing and evaluating key concepts related to Sufism and/or spirituality. – A few examples given to support findings. – Some connections made in certain places. – Introduction and journal reflections demonstrate a high degree of critical thinking in analyzing and evaluating key concepts related to Sufism and/or spirituality. – Many specific examples given to support findings. – Insightful connections made throughout the journal. Personal Growth 0-11 points 12-19 points 20-25 points 26-30 points /30 – Journal conveys no evidence of reflection on own work; no personal response to the self-assessment questions posed. – Journal demonstrates no personal growth or signs of spiritual awareness – Conclusion does not mention future implications – Journal conveys little evidence of reflection on own work; lacks a personal response to the self-assessment questions posed. – Journal demonstrates little personal growth and signs of spiritual awareness – Conclusion briefly mentions future implications – Journal conveys some evidence of reflection on own work with a personal response to the self-assessment questions posed. – Journal demonstrates some personal growth and signs of spiritual awareness – Conclusion somewhat explores future implications. – Journal conveys strong evidence of reflection on own work with a personal response to the self-assessment questions posed. – Journal demonstrates significant personal growth and signs of spiritual awareness – Conclusion thoroughly explores future implications. Writing Quality 0-13 points 14-15 points 16-17 points 18-20 points /20 Poor writing style lacking in standard English, clarity, language used, and/or frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling. Needs work. Average and/or casual writing style that is sometimes unclear and/or with some errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling. Above average writing style and logically organized using standard English with minor errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling. -Well written and clearly organized using standard English, characterized by elements of a strong writing style and basically free from grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling errors. Timeliness Deduct 11 points Deduct 6-10 points Deduct 1-5 points 0 points deducted /– Journal reflection is submitted 2-3 days (49-72 hours) after the deadline. Journal reflection is submitted 1-2 days (25-48 hours) after the deadline. Journal reflection is submitted within 1 day (24 hours) after the deadline. Journal reflection is submitted on or before deadline. TOTAL POINTS (sum of 4 Criteria) /100 Additional Comments: HONORS COMPONENT In addition to completing the above assignment, you will write a 3-4 page paper (typed, double-spaced) comparing and contrasting the origins, teachings and practices of two of the Sufi orders listed below. Naqshabandi order – https://naqshbandi.org/ Qadiri order – https://www.aqrtsufi.org/index.html Mevlevi order – https://www.hayatidede.org/ Chishti order – https://inayatiorder.org/ Shadhili order https://www.suficommunities.org/ Who was the founder of each order? Where did it originate? What are the main beliefs? Do they incorporate music or dance in their practices? Which order do you find more appealing (if any)? Why? The Honors component is due with your meditation paper. The grading rubric for this component will be similar to that of the Quran paper.