The path to Allah Almighty should not be reduced to an intellectual activity. A distinction is to be made between learning about the path, which often takes the form of academic-style courses documenting the historical manifestations of Sufism, and learning to traverse the path, which involves the gradual amendment of one’s interpretation of the universe by means of the assigned spiritual practices. These practices act as vehicles, which, when offered with sincerity and assiduousness, facilitate the rectification of perception, until one witnesses the Majesty of the Divine in every moment.
After the Ritual Prayer, perhaps the most potent of these practices is the Spiritual Discourse (Arabic صُحْبَة ,Turkish ‘Sohbet’), which is an address delivered by a Saint or an authorised deputy. The discourse is akin neither to a lecture nor a class. Its purpose is not to merely pass on information or facts in the cognitive sense, but rather to shake the hearts of those exposed to it. It may be based upon a text or a book, but is not scholarly in its nature. As with all aspects of the path, it operates in both the seen and unseen realms.
The speaker articulates how he understands the universe, and shares the glimpses of Reality that have been opened for him. The speaker is inspired by The One, and addresses topics that meet the spiritual needs of those in attendance (or those who hear the discourse, wherever they may be physically). The inner condition of the members of the congregation determine the nature of the discourse, and each sincere soul will find the remedy to his heart’s ailments in the words of the Saint. To believe the discourse is of no relevance is indicative of a lack of understanding. The Almighty generates the words of the Saint in order to offer the listeners the opportunity to amend the manner in which they perceive the universe. It is their responsibility to attentively engage with the discourse, and apply it to their own lives. Hence, spiritual discourses are a fundamental element of the path, as although spiritual knowledge can be weaned from books, it is by means of personal interaction, diagnosis, and rehabilitation at the hands of one who sees clearly that perception is sharpened.
There are few who understand the mechanics of the spiritual discourse’s function at the level of the unseen. It suffices to indicate that the grace associated with the teacher, the Saints who constitute the teacher’s spiritual lineage, and the angels and souls of the blessed ones who attend the gathering, in addition to the pleasure of the Holy Prophet ﷺ at the words being spoken exert a formidable impact upon the soul of the attendee, resulting in spiritual openings, distance from inaccurate perception, and, eventually, arrival.
Hence, he who is sincere in his wayfaring must keep the company of a Saint, or a designated representative. Without exposure to the perspective and spiritual condition of an awakened one, the already exacting path becomes ever more gruelling. If one has given one’s hand to a guide, then the guidance of that teacher is an irreplaceable facet of one’s journey towards awakening. For those who wish to see clearly, bathing in the purificatory words and states of ‘those who know’ (Holy Qur’an 39:9) is inestimably precious, and is more often than not the key that opens hearts hardened by prolonged exposure to profanity. The one who comprehends the immeasurable value of the utterances of the awakened ones would attend their gatherings at the cost of all other engagements. Perhaps a flash of the clarity they experience may enlighten the one who is in close proximity, transforming his existence for eternity. And verily He knows best.
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