Category Archives: Classic Teaching

Zen, Tao, Sufism, Wittgenstein (and Lacan?)

Posted on May 17, 2013 by sufiways

by Modaser Shah A big subject, indeed. I have been thinking about writing a post on it for some time but have been shrinking from it, looking for some inspiration in books and our local small Sufi group discussions. When I … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Teaching, Modaser Shah, Original Essays | Tagged Bastami, Dogen, Hakuin, Lacan, Lao Tzu, Tao and Sufism, Tractatus, Wittgenstein, Zen and Sufism | 3 Comments

Personality, Love, and Asking

Posted on May 12, 2013 by sufiways

A View Counter to the Sufi Philosophy of Cosmic Absorption (Fana Fillah) in Dr Allama Iqbal’s poem ‘Secrets of the Self’ (Asrar-e-Khudi) by Navid Zaidi Napoleon said, ‘ I am a thing, not a person. ‘ So, what am I? … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Teaching, Navid Zaidi, Original Essays | Tagged Asrar-e-khudi, cosmic absorption, Development of ego, Fanafillah, Iqbal vs Sufis, merger with God, Secrets of the Self | 2 Comments

The Relativity of Truth

Posted on May 7, 2013 by sufiways

by Ali Hammad In The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether, Edgar Allan Poe relates the story of a lunatic asylum where the patients have taken over, but the visitors to the asylum are unable to discern the switch. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ali Hammad, Classic Teaching, Original Essays | Tagged Direct Path to God, doctor tarr, Edgar Allan Poe and Sufis, Nasruddin on Truth, professor fether, Protagoras and Sufis, Regionality of Truth, Sanity and Truth, Sufi Lore, Sufi on Truth, Territorial Truth | 5 Comments

Quest for Reality and the Meaning of Prayer

Posted on May 1, 2013 by sufiways

by Navid Zaidi The Sufi’s book is not composed of ink and letters: It is not but a heart white as snow. The scholar’s possession is pen-marks. What is the Sufi’s possession? – foot-marks. The Sufi stalks the game like … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Poetry, Classic Teaching, Navid Zaidi, Original Essays | Tagged East and West, Iqbal and prayer, Mystic's quest, prayer and ritual, Rumi and musk, Sufi's quest | Leave a comment

Fear of God

Posted on April 25, 2013 by sufiways

by Ali Hammad An anecdote ascribed to Mullah Nasruddin, the wise fool of the Sufi lore, goes something as follows: A king known for his sternness said to the Mullah, “You were introduced to me as an oracle, but you … Continue reading →

Posted in Ali Hammad, Classic Teaching, Original Essays | Tagged fear of God, God and conscience, Nasreddin on Fear, Nasruddin on Fear, Sufi Stories, Sufi tales, Sufi's conscience, Sufi's fear, wise fool | 8 Comments

Existence and Nonexistence

Posted on April 20, 2013 by sufiways

by Navid Zaidi الف الله چنبے دی بوٹی ، میرے مرشد من وچ لائی هُو نفی اثبات دا پانی ملیا ، هر رگے هر جائی هُو ( Sultan Bahu) My Master has planted in my heart the jasmine of God’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Poetry, Classic Teaching, Navid Zaidi, Original Essays | Tagged Appreciative Self, Bahu, Efficient Self, Existence and Now, Existence in Absolute Time, Existence in Serial Time, States of Existence | 1 Comment

Ego’s Attachments

Posted on April 16, 2013 by sufiways

by Navid Zaidi مکّے گیاں گَل مُکدی ناهیں بهاویں سَو سَو جُمعے پڑہ آئیے گنگا گیاں گل مکدی ناهیں بهاویں سو سو غوطے کهایئے بُلّهے شاه گل تیّوں مکدی جے ُمیں ُ نوں مَنوں گوایئے Visiting Mecca will not give … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Poetry, Classic Teaching, Navid Zaidi, Original Essays | Tagged Am I better than others, Are you special, Bulleh Shah and ego, Ego's hurdles, How to overcome ego, Who am I | Leave a comment

Error is part of life

Posted on April 7, 2013 by sufiways

RUMI’S INVITATION by Navid Zaidi Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshiper, Lover of leaving- it doesn’t matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vows A hundred times, a thousand times. Come, … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Poetry, Classic Teaching, Navid Zaidi, Original Essays | Tagged error, Rumi, spirituality, Sufi thought on sin, tolerance, umpteenth chance | 1 Comment