O Sufi!
Most depression and agitation arise from material problems and emotional frustration. A Sufi, however desires nothing but God and therefor is always content.
I have notice that a big challenge on the Sufi path has been being content with what I have, and to not let emotional frustration and material problems deter me from my goal. In many ways many practices of the path are very therapeutic I wanted in the upcoming year to start a new series called The Sufi Path and its ramifications on therapy. Just some observations of mine having gone through therapy for depression and been on the Sufi path and now not being depressed.
On a side note and completely unrelated a fellow blogger at Danny recently paid me a compliment I don’t deserve but was touched by nevertheless by referring to me as a true Sufi. Though oftentimes the word dervish and Sufi are used interchangeably a Sufi is a dervish that has attained to the Truth. To use an limited analogy a dervish is a freshman in college and a Sufi is one who has gotten his PhD.I have fallen down a lot and often times do not feel deserving of the title of a dervish, but I continue onwards nevertheless.
Thank you Danny ! and all you or reading my late night ramblings
From Hafiz:
If there is any profit in this wordly market
It is with the contented Sufi-
Lord bestow on me the blessing o Sufism
and Contentment
Related Articles
- A Poem from famous Sufi Najmoddin Kubra (mycaravanofdreams.com)
- Reflections on the Sufi Path (1) The Spiral Path & The Withering Away of the Self (mycaravanofdreams.com)
Like the Ocean, life is a series of ups and downs,yet, far below the surface there is a deep stillness.
We were born with emotions to enrich our experience of this wondrous life/planet. Some emotions like depression, profound sadness at the death of a child; are all to be experienced and part of our individual life plans. Sometimes, these emotions tear us apart.
For most, the “Sufi” state of knowing and using higher consciousness, in daily life, is not a static condition; it comes and goes depending upon the organic needs of a situation.
Sometimes, a “Sufi” is not content- in their suffering they fight with God; like in any marriage-lovers fight and disagree.
Yet, there is a bond that cannot be shaken. My teacher used to say- ‘if you are going to be happy, be happy with God. Similarly if you are going to be sad, be sad with God.”
Sufis are not God Men; they are human and experience the full range of consciousness and emotions. Yet, for the most part, “Sufi’s” are content, but like everyone else require the friction of every day life to make changes.
Sometimes, spiritual travelers have this glorified notion of what it means to be spiritual and the end product of this development; to live a full-life we experience many things- which are not just contentment; the traveler/Sufi, for the most part, minimizes their time in this negative zone: so the higher knowledge can operate.
Rarely will a “Sufi” complain; if they complain- it is to their Beloved.
So don’t get down on yourself, when dark clouds appear.
Talk to your Father who created you and knows what you need. God’s love will alchemize sadness and, through the experience of this sadness, increase your spiritual sight and service to others.
I look forward to your series on the Sufi path and depression, since this a problem I struggle with daily.
With my limited knowledge of SUFISM, I just love even the very word SUFI (I guess I just love my Sufi God – SHIRDI SAI BABA) and no other Baba.
Caravan of dreams – mine too? Inshallah
What was it in the wilderness that gave peace and joy? What was it that came to us in the forest, the solitude? … It was nothing else but the depth of our own life. ~Hazrat Inayat Khan
sufi fever
Hello,
You have a very beautiful blog.
I think that depression, even though it hurts plenty, is really a Gift. What I’ve noticed in myself
is that whenever I forget about my inner work, it is because I am too caught up in the way things are going “outside”. On the other hand, whenever I feel depressed I am instantly reminded that there is still much work to be done, and that I was going astray and needed a helping hand so to speak, to bring me back on path. In my opinion, feeling depressed is like hitting the side-railing on a very windy path–it hurts but keeps you from falling.
Hello Arian
I agree with you totally! For a while I was seriously depressed and I had to get therapy and one day I asked myself “who is this ‘I’ that is really depressed. It changed everything. Then I came across again these words by my late sufi master which said:
O SUFI!
Most depression and agitation arise from material problems and emotional frustration. A Sufi however desires nothing but God and therefore is always content
it set me straight in many ways.
Thanks for sharing!!!
Dave
word Sufi has always attracted me from my childhood. Without knowing the meaning of Sufi I have been attached to it.Now that one has read and experienced it has given me immense peace of mind. I love HIM and Sufi in every human being. all we need to do is to be contend with what we have and we will find HIM.
Ramesh