A General Introduction to the Sufi Path
The Sufi
path is, in a sense, an apprenticeship process. In such a program, an individual
associates with a spiritual elder or master - that is, someone who has gained mastery over
herself or himself.
Although in
the beginning this association may take place in the context of physical proximity, this
association is, in essence, a function of the spiritual relationship between a teacher and
student. Consequently, once the proper seeds have been sown and begun to take root, the
association can carry on quite well even if considerable physical distances may separate
the two people.
The purpose
of the aforementioned association is to provide the individual with an opportunity to
realize varying degrees of spiritual potential which are inherent in the nature of the
human being. The degree of this potential which may be realized depends, in part, on the
character of the commitment and spiritual capacity of the individual who is seeking
realization.
Ultimately,
of course, capacity and struggles notwithstanding, the extent of spiritual realization
depends on the grace of God. In fact, both an individual's spiritual capacity, as well as
one's willingness and strength to struggle in the way of God are themselves manifestation
of God's blessings.
One of the
most fundamental dimensions of the previously noted issue of the apprenticeship process
revolves around the authenticity of the spiritual elder who is to oversee the individual's
journey on the Sufi path of Self-realization. The legitimacy of a given teacher or elder
is underwritten by a chain of proven and accepted (by God) masters, each of whom has been
entrusted by his or her own guide, to assume the responsibility of transmitting, if God
wishes, the methods, insights, wisdom and understanding of the mystical sciences which
constitute the Sufi path.
However,
none of these spiritual teachings can take root essentially and, then, God willing, bear
fruit, unless the teacher has the God-given capacity to help establish and engender the
quality of nisbath in the person seeking realization. Nisbath is the medium, so to speak,
through which spiritual nourishment is transmitted and received.
An
individual may have considerable knowledge of the Sufi path, and this person may even have
acquired, through various means, certain extraordinary spiritual gifts of one description
or another, but if this individual does not have, by the grace of God, the capacity to
engender and nurture nisbath within the seeker, then such a person cannot serve as a
viable spiritual guide. Nisbath is the umbilical cord of the Sufi path.
Alternatively,
if the seeker does not permit herself or himself to grasp hold of, and be opened up to,
the spiritual possibilities entailed by the nisbath being offered through a teacher, then
no amount of spiritual practices will effect much transformation in such a would-be
wayfarer of the mystical path. Many people make the mistake of assuming that the Sufi
journey is merely a matter of the acquisition of the requisite kinds of technique and
method, when, in reality, technique and method are relatively useless without a healthy
nisbath linking spiritual elder and seeker.
Like any
other contract, the relationship between student and teacher is organized by the
conditions of offer, acceptance and consideration that give expression to the etiquette
and nature of the Sufi path. Unless the conditions of the contract are honored, then, in
point of fact, the contract becomes null and void.
An authentic
spiritual guide always will fulfil, God willing, the terms and conditions of the contract
of nisbath. Unfortunately, this often is not so when considered from the seeker's side of
fulfilling the duties and obligations that are entailed by the spiritual contract binding
teacher and student on the path of Self-realization.
Sufi
mystical sciences are intended, God willing, to help the individual seeker to realize her
or his true identity and essential capacity. These sciences involve, among other things,
providing a means of gaining insight into the quality of one's true Self as a
manifestation of Divine attributes.
Furthermore,
Sufi mystical sciences offer the individual an opportunity, God willing, to activate ones
unique, essential capacity to know, love, cherish, serve and worship Divinity. Moreover,
when this capacity is fully realized, one can fulfil one's responsibilities properly with
respect to being a caretaker of, and source of mercy for, all of creation.
All aspects
of the Sufi mystical path give expression to an infinite, unconditional and sustaining
love. This love is an essential binding and transformational force which colors, shapes
and orients all the various facets of Sufi methodology.
Without this
love, there is no mysticism, irrespective of whatever rituals, practices or appearances
may remain. The Sufi mystical sciences constitute the enduring passion play in which human
beings both seek, and are sought by, their Creator through the currents and eddies of an
ocean of Divine manifestation.
The presence
of this unconditional love which is manifested through the spiritual guide should not be
assumed to be a sign of license being extended to the seeker in which anything is
permitted. Moreover, such unconditional love does not mean that love can be relativized.
Unconditional
love is a Divine gift that establishes a constructive framework of compassion, trust,
acceptance, tolerance, wisdom, forgiveness, and encouragement that help enable the seeker
to struggle with the mistakes and problems which are inevitable parts of the individual's
journey along the Sufi path. Unconditional love provides the degrees of freedom necessary
to provide the individual with the sort of working environment through which one has an
opportunity, God willing, to overcome, and leave behind, those facets of human nature that
are inclined to error, distortion and rebellion concerning the truth being manifested by
means of, and which stands behind, human existence.
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