Generosity and the nature of the Wali

We often forget how intrinsic good character is to the Sufi path. People often focus upon awrad and wazaif or their complements such as visions and spiritual experiences and forget that the true testing ground of the Sufi is his/her interaction with fellow creatures. So here are a few reminders.
” God has shaped the character [...]

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Wisdom of the Zen Masters 3

The Purpose of Zen
Over the course of centuries, Zen has branched out into different schools with individual methods, but the purpose is still the same- to point directly to the human mind (read heart).
Changing Methods
Zen teachers of true vision and great liberation have made changes in method along the way, to prevent people from sticking [...]

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Wisdom of the Zen Masters 2

Labels and Objective Truth
Because you grasp labels and slogans, you are hindered by those labels and slogans, both those used in ordinary life and those considered sacred. Thus, they obstruct your perception of objective truth and you cannot understand clearly.
Supernormal Faculties
The six supernormal faculties of the enlightened are the ability to enter the realm of [...]

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Wisdom of the Zen Masters

There are many misconceptions about the nature of the spiritual path, the role and function of spiritual masters and the need or otherwise for a connection with a spiritual tradition. In fact in our times the water is muddied even more by the proliferation of charlatans, half-baked teachers and the lack of a clarity of [...]

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Sufi Views of Adam’s Fall

Found this excellent talk by Prof. William Chittick on the sufi understanding of Adam’s fall. I first came across this in an article called Ahmad Samani on the Myth of Adam’s Fall by Dr Chittick published a number of years ago in Sufi. It’s an illuminating talk which introduces the brilliant work of Shaykh Ahmad [...]

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A Famous Rubai of Hz Sultan Bahu (RA)

This is a haunting rubai from the great Sufi saint Hz Sultan Bahu (ra). When sung the sound of the elongated HU* at the end of each line is especially moving.
Ay tan Rabb sache da hujra te pa faqeera chati, HU
na kar mintan Khawaj Khizr diyan tere andar aab hayati, HU
shawq da dewa baal hunairey [...]

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Shariah, Tariqah and Haqiqah

Hz Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi (r.a.) explains the relationship between the Shariah (law), the Tariqah (way) and the Haqiqah (Truth/Reality) thus:
The Law is like a lamp: It shows the way. Without a lamp you will not be able to go forward. When you enter the path your going is the Way. And when you reach the [...]

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Javed Chaudry on Pakistani Politicians

Quite angry and sad at the present state of affairs in Pakistan. It seems that the politicians are up to their old games yet again. Do these people ever learn I ask myself?  Their lack of vision, indecisiveness, putting personal interests before that of the country and political blunders is what makes many except the [...]

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The Secret of Love

Love has nothing to do with the five senses and the six directions:
its goal is only to experience the attraction exerted by the Beloved.
Afterwards, perhaps, permission will come from God:
the secrets that ought to be told will be told
with an eloquence nearer to the understanding
than these subtle confusing allusions.
The secret is partner with none but [...]

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Union and Separation- Part 2

Separation is the most precious gift bestowed by the Beloved. The times of separation are times when great characters are formed. It is in these times that the inner man is woken, hidden and latent qualities and capabilities are brought forth. The remembrance of the Beloved keeps man awake at night and this waking causes [...]

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