SUFISMSUFISM

and

MAWLANA JALALUDDIN RUMI

What is Sufism?What is Sufism?

The esoteric (mystical) The esoteric (mystical) side of Islam.side of Islam.

A spiritual journey of A spiritual journey of devotion and love that devotion and love that leads to God.leads to God.

Origin of the wordOrigin of the word

Sufism is derived Sufism is derived from Arabic “suf” from Arabic “suf” meaning wool.meaning wool.

Sufi : early mystics Sufi : early mystics who wore garments who wore garments made of suf.made of suf.

Goes back to Prophet Goes back to Prophet MuhammadMuhammad

Holy Qur'an; Holy Qur'an; a "multi-layered a "multi-layered

revelation,“revelation,“

– LiterallyLiterally– MetaphoricallyMetaphorically– PhilosophicallyPhilosophically– MysticallyMystically

Origin of SufismOrigin of Sufism

Basic Tenets and TeachingsBasic Tenets and Teachings

each individual spirit desires each individual spirit desires union with the Godunion with the God

""from God we came, and to God from God we came, and to God shallshall

we returnwe return."."

Stages along the path to GodStages along the path to God

– Repentance (Tawba)Repentance (Tawba)– Abstinence (Wara)Abstinence (Wara)– Poverty (Acz)Poverty (Acz)– Patience (Sabr)Patience (Sabr)– Trust in God (Tawakkul)Trust in God (Tawakkul)

Common Practices of SufismCommon Practices of Sufism

Ritual prayer and fasting Ritual prayer and fasting

Remembrance of the Remembrance of the "spiritual lineage". "spiritual lineage".

""dhikrdhikr," remembrance of ," remembrance of God.God.

Meditative and Meditative and contemplative practicescontemplative practices

Sama (Listening)Sama (Listening)

Who is Rumi?Who is Rumi?

Mawlana JalaluddinMawlana Jalaluddin great spiritual master and great spiritual master and

poetical geniuspoetical genius the founder of the Mawlawi the founder of the Mawlawi

Sufi orderSufi order Born in 30 September Born in 30 September

1207 in the city of Balkh.1207 in the city of Balkh. His family escaped Mongol His family escaped Mongol

invasion and settled in invasion and settled in KonyaKonya

Shams and Rumi’s Shams and Rumi’s TransformationTransformation

Shamsuddin of TabrizShamsuddin of Tabriz– Introduced Rumi to the Introduced Rumi to the mystical path mystical path

Shams disappearsShams disappears

Why should I seek?Why should I seek? I am the same as he.I am the same as he. His essence speaks through His essence speaks through

me.me. I have been looking for myself!I have been looking for myself!

Rumi’s WorkRumi’s Work

poems, poems, `̀DivaniDivani ShamsiShamsi TabriziTabrizi‘‘

six volume didactic epic six volume didactic epic work, the work, the `̀MathnawiMathnawi‘‘

discourses, discourses, `̀FihiFihi ma ma FihiFihi'', written to introduce his , written to introduce his disciples into disciples into metaphysics. metaphysics.

Love and RumiLove and Rumi

Rumi’s basicRumi’s basic theme: theme: love, not fear, should define love, not fear, should define relationship between humanity and relationship between humanity and

GodGod

““Our Prophet's way is Love…”Our Prophet's way is Love…”

“Our mother is love! Our father is love!We are born from love! We are love!All loves constitute a bridge leading to the divine love.To love human beings means to love GOD.“

Died on December 17, 1273Died on December 17, 1273– Sheb’ul Arus (Night of Union) Sheb’ul Arus (Night of Union)

””For me this is the time of joyful meetingFor me this is the time of joyful meeting

Don't say "Farewell!" when I'm put in the grave Don't say "Farewell!" when I'm put in the grave

A curtain is it for eternal bliss.A curtain is it for eternal bliss.

You saw "descending" - now look at the rising!You saw "descending" - now look at the rising!

Is setting dangerous for sun and moon?Is setting dangerous for sun and moon?

To you it looks like setting, but it's rising;To you it looks like setting, but it's rising;

The coffin seems a jail, yet it means freedom.The coffin seems a jail, yet it means freedom.

Which seed fell in the earth that did not grow there?Which seed fell in the earth that did not grow there?

Why do you doubt the fate of human seed?Why do you doubt the fate of human seed?

Whirling dervishesWhirling dervishes

A form of Sama A form of Sama

act of love and a drama of faithact of love and a drama of faith

Symbol of divine love, unity Symbol of divine love, unity with Godwith God

As waves upon my head As waves upon my head the circling curl, the circling curl,

So in the sacred dance So in the sacred dance weave ye and whirl. weave ye and whirl.

Dance then, O heart, Dance then, O heart, a whirling circle be. a whirling circle be.

Burn in this flame – Burn in this flame – is not the candle He? is not the candle He?

Experience yourself!

April 9th, 20058:00PMHerbst Theatre, SF

Thank you!Thank you!

Reason is powerless in the expression of Reason is powerless in the expression of Love. Love alone is capable of revealing Love. Love alone is capable of revealing

the truth of Love and being a Lover. the truth of Love and being a Lover.

The way of our prophets is the way of The way of our prophets is the way of Truth. Truth.

If you want to live, die in Love; If you want to live, die in Love;

die in Love if you want to remain alive.die in Love if you want to remain alive.