Sufi Mysticism & World Sickness

By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff

Q:

While on the Sufi mystical path, what exactly is it you learn? How is this learning different than other learning? From the mystical perspective, the physical world or world of forms is supported by the world of spirit. The physical world is an extension of this unseen, spiritual world and the physical exists so humanity can fulfill their individual higher destiny. ach traveler enters the world of physical forms for many reasons. !et each reason is connected to the higher destiny, and the traveler "fumbles around in the dark# unless he or she learns to connect with the $igher %eality. The ladder which has been extended is religious teaching and spiritual learning. The mystical path and spiritual learning is the inner heart of religious teaching. &n an inner, spiritual level, all the great religions are one. World Sickness 'ccording to the mystic, humanity suffers from "world sickness# and mystical teaching exists to help provide the cure and help the traveler see reality. (ost people live their entire lives attached to ideas, possessions and other people. These things to the exclusion of others fill their consciousness. )hile it is good to be concerned about the things of the world and involved in making things betters for others, there is a point where this investment leads you away from the higher, lasting reality. ' balance must be maintained between the physical and spiritual. *n this endeavor, it is a matter of degree and attitude. )ith the proper guidance the traveler learns to participate in the world and withdraw attachment from the world, inwardly. )hile the traveler may go to work everyday, work hard and try to help others, a part must remain "sacred# and attached to the +ight. World View For most people, their world view is composed of preconceived ideas, beliefs and emotional reactions to situations. ,art of the purpose of any culture or society is to formulate a set of guiding principles, which are taught to its member who then form an affinity with these beliefs- guiding to a large degree their daily life. &ver time, these beliefs and principles, if the culture or society is to thrive, grow stronger and become operating principles. %arely are these operating principles challenged by the people who follow them. !et these beliefs are sub.ect to deterioration and "hardening/# failing to be updated as necessary. 'lso some of these beliefs may have been instituted as a way to control others or limit the potential of specific groups. )hen this is done it is rarely stated that this is a driving principle. From the mystical or spiritual perspective, it is precisely this set of operating principles which needs to be pushed aside or suspended momentarily to let other ideas and impacts 0

in. (ost often it is this everyday, conditioned self that is the door and stands in the way of seeing what is actually in front of you, and prevents the higher, spiritual impulse from being perceived. Beyond Everyday Assumptions 1radually the spiritual traveler learns to examine assumptions, in order to see exactly what is present, not what is believed to be present. By temporarily suspending the conditioned, everyday self, the traveler learns to see the reality of the situation and what is beyond the situation. *n order to do this, one has to understand when ideas and beliefs have been engineered 2indoctrinated3 or when they are inherent to your higher needs and the needs of others. 4eep in mind, there is nothing wrong with having a specific view and looking at events in a particular way. This view becomes a hindrance only when it prevents other things from operating, or you do not find it ade5uately explains how you look at the world and feel. ,art of you knows, there must be something more/ a higher spiritual reality. )ithin the framework of religious teaching, we find many systems that state we are the only true path/ striving to impose their will6view on others. !et other paths exist. *n this situation, is it a matter of indoctrination or belief/ as opposed to not seeing the true, higher potential of the situation7 's a spiritual traveler, learn to go beyond your everyday assumptions/ True %eality is waiting inside you.