• "To help sustain compassionate awareness of the ego, Sufi teachers suggest a technique called Sacred Naming, which addresses our tendency to engage unconsciously in negative self-talk. Choose a term of endearment for yourself — for example, 'beloved' or 'dear heart' — to evoke compassion for yourself, and use it whenever you become aware that you are getting down on yourself. For example, when I discover that I am in the middle of an unhelpful inner conversation, I interrupt it with words such as, 'Brother Jamal, I am so sorry you are experiencing this difficulty. Please know that I am here to support you. Let us hold this feeling together. Brother Jamal, let us together invoke God's boundless compassion and mercy to help us in this process.' This simple technique has a powerful effect on our spiritual growth: the ego softens and becomes more willing to join in partnership with the soul.

• "The beautiful Sufi technique of Sacred Light fosters the practice of Basmala in our relations with others. As often as you can remember, send light from your heart to everything and everyone with whom you come in contact. Simply intend to send out light and, if possible, love from your heart. Intention equals action in the subtle realms. If you meet someone you do not like, remind yourself that you are sending light and love from your heart to the other person's soul or essence, which is pure and sacred. You are not condoning his or her personality or behavior. For that, let your Sustainer be a witness. With this technique, you are naming the person by his or her true divine name and doing it with the divine energy at the core of your being. Graced by God's compassion, you will evolve more and more into your own divine essence and enable others to do the same.

• "To open a doorway between human heart and divine heart, Sufis practice a technique called Gazing upon the Heart. Try to make it a lifelong habit to bring your attention to rest on your heart during quiet moments and even as you are engaged in speech and action. Continuously, as you go about your daily life, be mindful of your heart. In the practice of meditation, rest your attention on your heart. If your mindfulness wavers or is distracted, compassionately bring your attention back to your heart again and again. As this habit takes hold, you will become deeply centered and amazingly present to each moment and the window of your heart will open magically. A beam of light from the divine heart, infused with compassion and mercy, will illuminate your heart and guide your life.

• "To take Gazing upon the Heart a step further and deeper, adopt the practice of Adoring the Heart. In your waking state or in meditation rest your attention on your heart space and, with feeling and tenderness, tell your heart repeatedly, 'I love you . . . I love you so much . . . I really love you.' If the words do not resonate, change to 'I am willing to love you,' or change the word 'love' to 'cherish' or 'honor.' No matter how awkward it may feel, say the words to your heart repeatedly. Know that God, who not only exists outside of you but also resides in your heart, longs to hear these words from you. Your ego might resist, so persist! Eventually, the ego lets go, for in the face of genuine, abiding love and compassion, the ego is helpless. With continuous practice, a supremely compassionate divine vibration goes from the tongue into the mouth, into the chest, deep into the heart, and deeper still into the mysteries within, healing you, empowering you, and transforming you."