Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem SUFISM : Sufism is the way of purifying the heart from bad manners and characteristics under the guidance of a Sheikh. _What is a Sheikh? A Sheikh is someone who has inherited what the prophets brought and who is authorized to convey these teachings and secrets to those who take his hand as teacher. A true Sheikh is the one that has mastered his lower self's bad characteristics through devotion and sincerity towards His Lord. For that reason he is able to guide his students to mastery of their own lower selves, opening the way to reach unlimited potential of their spiritual realities. _How does one reach spiritual levels in Sufism? The main methods of attaining spiritual progress in Sufism are: _1 . Following the guidance and instructions of an authorized Sheikh or guide. _2 . Performing dhikr, the remembrance of your Lord through reciting his Holy Names and Attributes, glorifying Him and praising the Creator of all. _3 . Attending the advice and dhikr gatherings held in the presence of the Sheikh or his representative; sitting together, praying together, welcoming all that come to praise their Lord. _How is Sufism related to Islam? It is the path of spirituality that exists in Islam. Its meaning is: 1 . Seeking the pleasure of God 2 . Love and peace with one's self 3 . Harmony with all creations (mankind, animals, and nature) *4* . To be dressed with the beautiful attributes of Prophets and Saints what does Islam mean? Islam means submitting to God's Will and accepting that there is no God but one God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God, peace and blessings upon him, as are Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Noah and Adam, peace be upon them all. What is faith according to Islam? Faith is believing in: 1 . One God 2 . In the existence of spiritual beings known as angels 3 . In the revelations of God (the Testaments), the Psalms revealed to David, the Torah sent down to Moses, the New Testament brought to Jesus and the Last Testament, Qur'an brought to Muhammad (peace be upon them all) 4 . all the prophets that were sent as mercy to mankind 5 . The Judgement Day and Resurrection 6. The Divine Decree (destiny) _How does Islam view other religions? 1 . All are vehicles and a path to God's Divine Presence; 2 . According to Islam, all religions are originally from God the Exalted. With time and man's weakness, most religions were distorted from their original truth and adopted practicing of idol- worship or other wrong beliefs, which turned people away from worship and adoration of the one true God. 3. You will find the essence of other religions embodied in the beliefs of Islam. How does one enter Islam? One enters Islam by believing in one's heart in the existence of One Lord and believing in Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) as the last of the Prophets that the Lord has sent throughout history. _Sohbet : Companionship in conversation, association The English language is often inadequate when it comes to describing spiritual states of mind. Sohbet, in Sufism, is a spiritual transaction between teacher and student which relies on ancient oral storytelling traditions and practices. Mystical knowledge and Devotional Love is transmitted during Sohbet in such a way that it attempts to circumvent the knots of the rational mind and connect the hearts of the seekers. Sohbet can be understood as a spiritual dialogue, a cleansing of the soul and a meeting of the hearts. From the metaphysical to the very physical, Sohbets help us reflect on the events of our everyday lives and guide us in our search for a sense of unity and security. “Stay close to any sounds that make you glad you are alive.” Hafiz ~ _The Sufis say: “There are three ways to relate to the Divine: One is Prayer, a step up from that is Meditation, and a step up from that is Sohbet.” What Sufi mystics mean by sohbet is difficult to translate in English. Simply put, it means conversation of ‘a totally different nature’. It is conversation between friends of spirit and heart, it is a deep listening and transmission of heart as well. Everything in the created cosmos is also in ceaseless conversation, in endless symbiosis and those with attuned ears of the inner heart are able to listen to them.
True sohbets are so powerful that it can bring a much deeper realization in short space of time, than years of prayers or meditation alone. On meditation being a step up from prayer, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “One hour’s meditation on the work of the Creator is better than seventy years of The prayer.”
The Sufi path values sohbet and thus listening deeply and directly from a sufi master / enlightened one is emphasized on the path. Sohbet carry the powerful seed of what Far Eastern spirituality calls ‘Satori’ or sudden enlightenment. The name and idea of ancient Hindu sacred text the Upanishad is also an idea of ‘sohbet‘ as well. Upanishad means ’sitting down near’ an enlightened spiritual master or guru in order to listen and to receive. In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Milarepa (born, Mila Thöpaga meaning ‘a joy to hear’), the most famous mystic saint of Tibet, yogi, wanderer and much loved poet of eleventh century is often famously depicted with one hand cupped behind his ear. In Buddhist iconography he is as someone who is always listening deeply, symbolizing Milarepa’s deep listening to the great voice of the cosmos, of the inner song of existence. On the value of listening ‘The Tibetan Book of the Dead’ calls it Great Liberation through Hearing. Jesus the Annointed One said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” - Mark 4:9 “It is to those who are worthy of (hearing and understanding) my mysteries that I tell my mysteries.” Christ, The Gospel of Thomas ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says ...’ - Revelation 2:7, 3:22
_Sohbet is a spiritual conversation from an enlightened soul. In the practice of sohbet, teachings are transmitted from teacher to students through storytelling, presence, and sacred space. A sohbet can encompass the physical and mundane or the metaphysical and sublime. Al-Fatihah
