BIRTH DATE: January 14, 1917 URS DATE: August 10, 1997
Arifa in her 20’s
Arifa with her mother embarking on a cruise to France
Arifa dancing the Lord’s Prayer
BIRTH DATE: January 14, 1917 URS DATE: August 10, 1997
Arifa in her 20’s
Arifa with her mother embarking on a cruise to France
Arifa dancing the Lord’s Prayer
Yes, I have warm souvenirs to her.
when I was a work-study student at the Abode in 1989 she was moving out there to some place and I helped her moving, carrying her stuff etc. I had to dump her paper basket, but I saw papers of the Sangathas in the basket, therefore I didnot dump the basket, but carried it instead into the kitchen of Dowla, to check the content. At that moment she returned and she saw, what I did. And she started to laugh that tears were running out her eyes. I felt catched and embarrassed. Anyway, this was, when I got into possession of my first Sangathas (some unusual serie I believe), and I had no right to have them. Today I am laughing myself about this happening.
Arifa teached me the value of balance.
Once, there was a dancing-session at the Abode. Several young women were dancing pretty neat, should have been spiritual, but then SHE entered the stage. She was already old then, in her 70, I believe, but when she started to dance, I was simply overwhelmed. She did unbelievable subtle and fine movements. Slowly. She outdanced the other girls without effort.
It was really stunning. I will never forget those events with Arifa Miller.
Assad-ud-din Splieth, Germany
How exquisite it was to watch Arifa’s light become even stronger in the last weeks I saw her, before I left the Abode of the Message July 30, 1997, for California. For weeks her face shone with the force of an inner sun, like Prince Huraksh was blasting forth his radiance through her. She became lighter in every way: she floated. Knowing I was preparing to leave, she shared her own inner and outer preparations. She would give me knowing glances, secret smiles, as though we shared some deep delicious secret, each getting ready for our own journey. But she still was on the earth plane, for she was the first to come to my clothing “free store” giveaway to stock up for the winter…just in case. When I heard of her death not long after, my soul leapt. I “saw” her in all her glory…her whole body, being, radiant…as she was met by an ecstatic chorus of Beings who welcomed her and rejoiced in her arrival. Thank you, Arifa, for all you have given me, and continue to do. Carry on, sweet angel.
Majida Gibson Petaluma, California
I keep Arifa’s picture on a bulletin board I have near my computer along with other luminaries; such as, the Dalai Lama, Murshid, and (one of my personal favorites!) Bill Cosby. Everyday she smiles down on me and this is the way it was when I lived with her at the Abode of the Message too.
Actually, since Arifa was such a strong-willed individual we often found ourselves in heated arguments over this topic or that during the day. But the beautiful gift that Arifa gave me was that every morning the slate would be wiped absolutely clean and we would start again as fresh as the dawn. On the same bulletin board that I have her picture, I also have the saying “Let the beauty we love, be what we do” and Arifa was the living embodiment of this saying.
Thank you, Arifa, for teaching me the gift of renewal.
Elizabeth “Elsa” Weber
It is so sweet to remember Arifa in the last week of her life. There was a music camp at the Abode, and every time I saw her she seemed to be surrounded by young men. Her last weekend on the planet was with her beloved teacher and guide, Pir Vilayat. When I first got the news that she had been killed in her car returning from that retreat, my very first thought. “AH, free at last.” And the image of that moment was a photograph of her standing tall, and clear and radiant dressed all in white with her arms and face raised to the heavens, the hem of her dress wrapped around as if she had just finished whirling. Beauty and freedom were now hers in the union of lover and beloved. She is still so very present in my life as I have her walking stick. So so many years later, Arifa keeps me straight on the path. What a blessing she continues to be in my life.
Arifa is the spiritual Godmother of our sons, and as such, I speak with her often regarding the challenges they are facing. To this day, she has something valuable to say to me, and always begins with “Oh Dearie”. What a blessing!
For most of my years and certainly in my youth you were simply Aunt Jean. Some of the fondest memories of my life were our family Thanksgivings when you all would come to Connecticut to spend Thanksgiving weekend with us. Those weekends are, inarguably, the fondest memories of my entire life. But there are others. The months when you and Checko and I shared an apartment in Florida were, well, wonderful. You took full advantage of the fruit trees growing outside our door and made sure that we always had a full jar of fresh-cut fruit in the fridge. Wonderful things came out of our kitchen and I have to admit I never felt better, before or since. You would put up with my shenanigans and just laugh and say “Oh, Rick”. You knew that peace and beauty in this world began within every individual and you made sure to, in one way or another, tell every individual you met. That’s another thing I’ll never forget. I am fortunate enough to have a lifetime of memories of you but I so wish that I could have seen more of you, spent more time with you. You touched everyone you met, your spirit so gentle and giving (you always looked people right in the eye) yet you always made sure to point them in the right direction if they needed it and you knew if they did. Remarkable. I love you Arifa, Aunt Jean, and I miss you.
Rick
A brief chat – sounds so fleeting – and yet your dazzling eyes and delightful smile spoke deeply of a brilliant soul. You gently reached out to gather hold and get a better view of the charms round my neck – i usually would NOT allow anyone that much room on such short notice – but your energy & presence assured me it was alright. Briefly & peripherally i was brought into your closer circle by way of the “share a mom program” – i have every installment. May your spirit & energy continue to flow & dance.