Omar Cherif > Quotes

“A fundamental difference between scripturalism and experimentalism will always exist — in terms of depth of knowledge as well as in terms of Truth; between imitating and creating; between those who follow others’ paths and those who dare exploring uncharted territories and create their own trails. As such, confusing religion with spirituality is like confusing education with intelligence.”
― Omar Cherif

“The strongest souls are those who help others through their storms while they themselves are going through their own. The strongest also tend to be the gentlest.

Seemingly paradoxically, to be whole with a strong resilient character means to likewise be somewhat fluid, flexible, fragile — just like water. Rather than rigid and unyielding, being brave and tough includes being tender and sensitive… as well as a certain level of softness.
Those who are truly aware of their own strengths are comfortable in their own skin. For they have nothing to prove to themselves before the world, you see. That raw honesty, that courageous nakedness, also makes them vulnerable, which is not some kind of weakness as sometimes portrayed. Vulnerability here is actually a sign of strength and a highly attractive quality in humans. It makes them relatable, familiar, and accessible to their fellow Earthlings, allowing both sides to connect with each other on deeper, more authentic levels. This very transparency equally offers the opportunity to see a reflection of oneself or parts of oneself in others.

Vulnerability is powerful as it is sexy.”
― Omar Cherif

“A healthy dose of doubt, uncertainty, and scepticism is an essential preliminary of amelioration.”
― Omar Cherif

“Answering an anonymous letter pseudonymously is synonymous with it autonomously happening posthumously.”
― Omar Cherif

“Those who take life, or themselves, too seriously are missing the point.”
― Omar Cherif

“Whenever one is exposed to that which goes against a certain belief they hold and it triggers an emotional reaction, they ought to take it as an opportunity to re-examine the belief — preferably along with their entire reality tunnel. Over time people get comfortable with their own convictions, they may become dogmatic in their views and opinions. Anything coming from outside the norm then tends to be feared, judged, rejected, vilified. That is, because it challenges the way they had been leading their lives.

Say if something someone said made you angry, dig deep within your inner being and investigate the reason for your anger. Ask yourself why you are taking it personally. Oftentimes, you see, the impulsive reaction has subconscious roots coming from the part of you that knows that you have no legit reason to think or feel as such.

Other times, it is the awareness of the existence of some degree of truth in what you had seen, heard, or read that irks you. It was Rumi who said: “If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?”

Seeing through our own convictions with impartial eyes allows us to see them under a different and often deeper light, possibly transcending them. You deal with one matter at a time and you do so by observing the thoughts and emotions without ever forgetting you are not them. For like the ocean waves, they are temporary, ephemeral, transient while you remain the generator as well as observer.

It matters not if you fully agree with the different view at the end. Neither is there any need to identify, believe, judge, condemn, or to follow it into oblivion.

But do take the chance to look into yourself. For you will likely end up learning something from the experience — including some self-knowledge. The challenge would either strengthen your argument(s) or offer you a different perspective(s). Perhaps a bit of both if one is lucky.

A confident person does not feel threatened when coming across an opposing view or opinion. Not only do they cause no harm, but the exposure may actually have some benefits.”
― Omar Cherif

“Heal ThySelf to a
HealThy Self
NowHere other than
Now Here.

We cannot really heal, save, or awaken anyone. Essentially, we can only inspire them to find out for themselves how to become their own healer and saviour. So they may own their truth, independently of a healer, guru, spiritual figure. This is not established through any formal teaching, advice, instructions, rituals or ceremonies. But instead, by sharing our bliss, grace, peace, passion, sensibility, awareness, groundedness — our energy. It remains up to them to integrate what they experience in such presence into their lives. It is their journey, after all, during which their own answers are to be unveiled and revealed.

Looking for radical, fundamental change? Change yourself rather than trying to change others. You want awakening? Awaken all of yourself rather than trying to awaken humanity.

Verily, the divine spark you seek is already within you. Allow it to shine through you unobstructed and it becomes a torch that eternally lights The Way.

Love is The Way.”
― Omar Cherif

“Once you learn how to think for yourself and stop blaming anyone or anything for what happens in your life, you’ll be forever free.”
― Omar Cherif

“The strongest souls are those who help others through their storms while they themselves are going through their own. The strongest also tend to be the gentlest.

Seemingly paradoxically, to be whole with a strong resilient character means to likewise be somewhat fluid, flexible, fragile — just like water. Rather than rigid and unyielding, being brave and tough includes being tender and sensitive… as well as a certain level of softness.

Those who are truly aware of their own strengths are comfortable in their own skin. For they have nothing to prove to themselves before the world, you see. That raw honesty, that courageous nakedness, also makes them vulnerable, which is not some kind of weakness as sometimes portrayed. Vulnerability here is actually a sign of strength and a highly attractive quality in humans. It makes them relatable, familiar, and accessible to their fellow Earthlings, allowing both sides to connect with each other on deeper, more authentic levels. This very transparency equally offers the opportunity to see a reflection of oneself or parts of oneself in others.

Vulnerability is powerful as it is sexy.”
― Omar Cherif

“There are only two kinds of people in this world: Those who are always certain of everything and I’m not sure who the others are.”
― Omar Cherif

“Sometimes it’s wise to let the liar think that you believe their lie. Because it gives you an advantage by allowing you to make your next move in peace — without awkward confrontations. Thereby by playing a fool you fool the fool who’s trying to fool you.”
― Omar Cherif

“The only way to deal with this mad world is to become so absolutely mad yourself that it has nothing to offer you but respect.


”
― Omar Cherif

“Whenever you see something beautiful in or on someone let them know. Not only do they deserve to know, but also the positivity will somehow always come back to you.


”
― Omar Cherif

“When we smile to life, it smiles back. Sometimes not right back, but eventually it does.”
― Omar Cherif

“Encourage all artists; for it’s how we get a glimpse of others’ realities.”
― Omar Cherif

“Most people either live in the past or in the future. Those who dwell on the past tend to be depressed — suffering from their memories; those who overthink the future tend to be anxious — suffering from their imagination. In that regard, the procrastinator and precrastinator are two sides of the same coin; both resisting the present while disregarding or perhaps forgetting that neither the past exists anymore nor the future exists yet; that the Here and Now is where time essentially exists. It is when nothing and everything are happening. For each and every moment is an eternity on its own.

Only the few who realise this nugget of truth are able to enjoy the present moment. Only them find peace of mind. The quintessence of being, you see, lies in fully living the multitude of this timeless Here and Now — what there is and all there is.”
― Omar Cherif

“Being a decent and sensitive human being who aspires to do the right things in life has nothing to do with nationality, ethnicity, religion, skin colour, or creed. It mainly depends on the level of empathy and compassion you possess; how you treat others, including old people, children, and animals, also the weak, the vulnerable, and the less fortunate. To be kind and gracious in one’s interactions and relations without expecting anything in return — be it a divine reward or otherwise — and without fearing retribution of any sort. For it’s not our beliefs that actually matter, it’s our behaviour. Love is all there is.”
― Omar Cherif

“Do not work on keeping relationships in your life; work on keeping life in your relationships.”
― Omar Cherif

“Iran in the morning, then Iraq in the afternoon.”
— Persistently, Americans who don’t say (Eye-)taly.”
― Omar Cherif

“In a world where speaking one’s mind is, by definition, unsettling, when I took art in general and writing in particular as vocations I promised myself that I would never betray my inner being or sell out. To be true, genuine, authentic, and real. To be someone I can love and understand. From repression to expression, this meant not to censor oneself when it comes to creativity. For one could gain the world but lose their soul. At some point along the way I came to accept that, having an unquenched appetite for the different and unordinary, my views will always seem to convey a distaste for conformity and the established norms of the day; that which is considered “popular” by the masses. As an outsider swimming upstream against the current, usually in solitude, who’s looking in at humanity — and through it — rather than looking out. As such, I shall carry on speaking my unfiltered, anti-conformist, anti-establishment mind till the day I die. The true artist who does not fit in often ends up standing out.”
― Omar Cherif

“Being a decent and sensitive human being who aspires to do the right things in life has nothing to do with nationality, ethnicity, religion, skin colour, or creed. It mainly depends on the level of empathy and compassion you possess; how you treat others, including old people, children, and animals, as well as the weak, the vulnerable, and the less fortunate. To be kind and gracious in one’s relations and interactions without expecting anything in return — be it a divine reward or otherwise — and without fearing retribution of any sort. For it’s not our beliefs that actually matter, it’s our behaviour. Love is all there is.”
― Omar Cherif

“We teach by learning as we learn by teaching.

We cannot expect to serve humanity or help it evolve as long as our cup is empty. Fill it with whatever virtues — and vices — you may see fit, then you can do The Work. Go out and do, learn from the doing, then share your findings while teaching from the knowing. Without inner substance, you see, there is nothing to pour but regurgitated, exhausted material. And nothing gives a man more credibility than saying “I have been there”. For experience cannot be studied or bought, which is why it is the mother of all wisdom. Make it a conscious choice to replenish your cup… until you become the cup.”
― Omar Cherif

“Drumming for me is not just mere fun. It is a cathartic, therapeutic, meditative practice, even spiritual. Without playing at least once a week, usually on the beach, my thoughts become discombobulated — full of words and concepts and analysis, including some nonsense, too. Music then comes to the help by lighting up the neurones of the brain which start firing up as soon as I decide to go drumming. And natural highs don’t have lows. Rather than thoughts, drumming is how I connect with my emotions, process and regulate them. I also get to commune with Mother Nature and its great outdoors. Like poetry in motion, the system is then alchemically recalibrated… until the next jam.

“The highest goal of music is to connect one’s soul to their Divine Nature, not entertainment.”
— Pythagoras”
― Omar Cherif

“When we begin looking at angry people as children who cannot control their tempter, it becomes almost impossible to get back at them. Because this very awareness of their anger shields us from being dragged into their storm. Essentially, most are angry at themselves. Their fight is not really with others, but it’s within them. That’s all. If we are not able to respond with love, then assuming the observer position offers quite the amusing spectacles.”
― Omar Cherif

“To know how much something truly means to you, consider what you’re willing to give up in order to reach it.”
― Omar Cherif

“Trust is the foundation of every healthy relationship; make sure not to shake it too many times.”
― Omar Cherif

“The wisest of all is he who knows how to be rather than merely exist.”
― Omar Cherif

“My secret? I stopped chasing — people, situations, substances. When things unfold, I let them. When they don’t, I let them. Instead of chasing the dream, I taught myself how to wake up — as much as possible — in order to be able to live the dream: Here and Now. Hence manifest my own reality. This is how we become at peace and in harmony with the natural flow of the cosmos.”
― Omar Cherif

“You are a sage and you are a lunatic. You are also the One capable of transcending this seeming duality just by observing the observer.”
― Omar Cherif

“Hearts that bend can always mend.”
― Omar Cherif