Sufi Talks: Background

The Sufi talks you will find on this site are talks that are spontaneous discussions recorded in intimate settings with a Sufi teacher (not Sheikh Hamza) and a small number of students. They were not recorded professionally in a studio, so sound quality may vary, and the topics move fluidly from one to another within the talks, as they address the inner needs of the people present rather than go from one point of an outline to the next. We hope that you will find these talks informative, meaningful and enriching.

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Sufi Talks 4

 Sikina-Dwelling in Divine Stillness: Discourse on the Sufi practice of gathering together to remember (dhikr) and discuss the Divine, and the stillness of the heart that descends on such gatherings. A rich presentation that traces these gatherings to their Jewish roots 600 years before Islam and uses Jesus (Isa, may God bless him), the Companions of the Cave (may God bless them), and Muhammad (pbuh) as examples of this practice. A rich discussion of the levels of dhikr is included, concluding with this peaceful stillness as a vital physical and spiritual need for our time. (45:10)
Love Him With His Love: Discourse on Divine Love, which Sufis see as the only means to reach God. This talk describes the nature of this Love from the beginning of creation to the return to this original state of Love between humans and God -- and how it is accomplished through meeting with an authentic Sheikh and receiving the dhikr -- the key to open the heart for Divine Love to be poured in, then returned to God. (27:42)
The Reality of One God: Discourse on "the spirit of prayer" -- being in a state of permanent presence with the Divine. Describes the necessity of both form and essence, and the practice of engaging with a "living" Sheikh and with Sufi circles to ready oneself for the Divine Love that is poured in the heart once the "land" has been prepared for "rain." (21:19)
Khidr: Discourse on Khidr, whose name in Arabic means "green" and renewal of life, and who in the Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions comes for those who need help and brings an approach from the higher dimensions to life in this one. The story of Moses' (Musa, blessings on him) encounter with Khidr is recounted, as is Ibn Arabi's. Also detailed is the Sufi approach to revealing the knowledge of the heavens above the material realm through the infusion of Divine Love. (33:54)
When You Are, You Are Not: Discourse on the Qur'anic verses 3:190-191: "There are signs in the creation of heavens and earth . . . " The talk describes, with numerous hadith, Qur'anic verses and examples from Ibn Arabi, how dhikr and the revealed Names of the God move one's remembrance and praise of God from the lips, to the heart, to the soul -- until permanent prayer and Divine Presence is reached. (41:15)
The Spirit of Prayer: Discourse on developing a "hunger" and "thirst" for the Divine Love that burns away everything other than Divine Love in the heart. Describes the method of the heart, and meeting with the qutb (complete being) either physically or spiritually, and the steps on the path to remove the veils of the self -- from negation, to questioning, and finally to truth, and the secret behind the secret. (28:50)
Distractions on The Path: Discourse on eliminating aims that distract the seeker from the spiritual life. The stages of the path progress from focusing on how time is spent and breath, to sincerity of the heart, focus of the heart, thankfulness (ya Shakur), the opening to feeling Divine presence, to being face to face with God, and finally complete Union and Truth. They are described with references from Ibn 'Ata'Illah, Rumi, and other Sufis. (28:23)
Levels of Divine Presence: Discourse, based on an aphorism of Ibn 'Ata'Illah and Sura Al-Fatihah, on moving from dependence on one's own deeds to Divine Presence. There are three types of deeds: deeds of the senses, of the mind, and of the secret heart, or sirr. Using a balance of fear and hope, the Sufi attempts to cleans these deeds through a focus on their acceptance and by using a singular intention ("I do this for the sake of God alone") to remove the veils of the "I," until the self is forgotten in the Divine. (31:57)
Expansion and Contraction of The Heart: Discourse on reaching stability of the heart in Divine Love, emphasizing the importance of being respectful and thankful as states change: "He may have given you to take from you, and take from you in order to give you." Examples are given from the lives of the Prophets and Sufis on desiring God alone and filling every moment with Him, as expressed by Rabia: "Put in paradise those who obey You, and put in the fire those who disobey You; I want You, my aim is You." (24:47)
Resonance and Emanation: Discourse on the Qur'anic verses 86:11-14 "The heavens are the source of resonance, and the earth is the source of emanation . . . " How the Sufi path leads from being like the earth (everyone walks on it, good or bad, and it accepts them) to being like the sun (it shines on good or bad, without difference). Examples from Qur'anic individuals (may God bless them) show the progression from sitting on the earth (emanation) to being raised through the dhikr to the resonance of the spirit. (22:14)