The Yogi and the Sufi

During the recent retreat, Atum talked about how the different spiritual paths available may have the same goal, but one path may be suited to one person and yet not necessarily good for another. The message was clear, one must look within oneself when choosing a spiritual path. This may be the one of the reasons why some teachers or guides are selective of the students they are willing to work with. For Atum, this brought to mind something Thich Nhat Hanh once said, “Buddhism is purified detachment, while Sufism is purified attachment.”

In this vein, I would like to share an excerpt from one of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s talks given in Amsterdam on the afternoon of January 11th, 1924:

What is the difference between the work a Sufi does and another mystic? In the East the Yogi mystics are the best known, and it is worth while to consider what difference there is. The Yogi tries to touch the infinite by diving deep into his innermost being; and the process he takes is to close himself and move away, as far away from the world as he can. And by doing this he reaches that depth which is the goal everyone is seeking. The methods of the Sufi differ herein from those of the Yogis, in that the Sufi opens himself to all that is good and successful. He says that to go back to the infinite without all that is beautiful here is absurd. He wants to love all the beauty of the earth, and so he opens himself. Therefore his part is very difficult — to love and yet not to be attached; to be in the crowd, and yet in the solitude; to be in the world and yet be above it. He sees God in opening himself to the beauty of the world.

Ya Azim, Ya Haqq, Ya Fattah, Hu

The retreat in North Carolina was an experience in grace, bringing those present closer to the essence. Ya Azim, Ya Haqq, Ya Fattah, Hu... this was one of the several alchemical formulas that we practiced on the retreat. In Ya Azim, one recognizes the divine image in another by bringing this into ones own being. This is followed by Ya Haqq, the unveiling of ones heart, lovingly exposing ones true being. Ya Fattah represents opening the door to the heart and embracing the divine presence in the form of the person before you. With Hu, both beings look into each others eyes and acknowledge that through this practice the Divine is more present. This is not very different from what Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20)

I am thankful that we are given the awareness and the time to ask essential questions that many don't. I feel even more blessed when the answers to these question reveal themselves. What is it that holds me back from fully embracing life? If I where fully alive, what kind of person would I be? When have I felt fully alive? What did it feel like?

We also took some time to contemplate our place of spiritual refuge. This is easily understood from the perspective of Buddhism where one takes refuge in the Buddha (the divine being), the Dharma (the spiritual path), and/or the Sangha (ones spiritual community). I am grateful to have all three. Nature and music are also an important place of refuge for me, both are gifts that enable me to have a clearer vision of the Beloved.

The divine qualities that you come into this world with are your main spiritual practice (these are the primary archetypes you embody). Some may need the help of a guide identifying these. It is ones mission to bring into manifestation the full potentialities of these archetypes. Thus the phrase in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." This is how one becomes an extension of the Divine intention. Hazrat Inayat Khan said, "Make God a reality and God will make you the Truth."

Become the flame, not the moth... Give up the longing. Become the beauty that you long for. Be (Ya Haqq) the living flame (Ya Azim) of joyous love (Allah).

One of the first practices that Atum taught me years ago was the Ocean Zikr or the Zikr of Love, Ishq Allah Ma'abud Allah. We are a wave on the ocean of reality. The wave of who we are rises up so that the divine intention may be expressed. When the divine qualities are blocked - that is the picture of the suffering god in Sufism. Sufi practices are geared towards removing these veils so that the full expression of these qualities are manifested.

The only thing you have to give God is yourself. Have faith and surrender to the state of not knowing! Faith is trusting that the ego does not know, but that the soul knows. Understand the limitations of the ego. Often the answers come in pieces, giving us a starting point that may open into a path. Discernment is needed to start with the little that you do know.