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The Trip Does Not Exist: Discourse on moving beyond the words about Sufiism and into the actual experience of Divine Love. The trip to the Divine, as it is normally understood, does not exist, as the Divine cannot be hidden, but we are in a state of being veiled from that understanding and frozen, like ice. Explains through stories and examples how, by orienting the heart toward the Divine through use of the dhikr and guidance of the master, the "ice" of the heart melts until it becomes "water in the Ocean." (28:50) |
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Aspects of Sufi Education: Discourse of the education on the Sufi path occurring not through traditional learning, but by longing and need for the Divine. Examples are given of the use of the dhikr and maintaining proper respect (al futtuwa) during states of: finding (wajd), permanent feeling of finding (wajdan), and existence (wujud), to demonstrate one alternates through states of expansion (bast) and contraction (qabd), until forgetfulness ends and permanent Divine Presence is realized. (36:42) |
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The Science of States: Discourse on the progressive states of awareness based on stories selected from the lives of numerous prophets and saints and the method they used, and we can use, to achieve them. Differentiates the paths of those looking for power, might and majesty with the path of beauty, love and servanthood, and the necessity of the complete master as a guide to help focus the student and protect her/him until they reach a state where the Divine and human are balanced. (59:48) |
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The Bible of The Sufis: Discourse of the stages of the Sufi path as set forth by Ibn 'Ata'Illah al-Askandri: moving from forgetfulness, to awareness/ remembrance, to presence, to absence, to presence-in-absence. Explains aspects including the heart, changes, guards, the physical, the spirit, remembrance, love, and sweetness; and how one's "taste" for the good becomes one's "Bible" along the way. Uses examples from the life of al-Hallaj to explain the need for a sheikh on the way to protect from the dangers of "intoxication" and provide "sobriety." (40:41) |
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Dimensions of Remembrance: Discourse on how repetition (tasbih) and remembrance (dhikr) of the Divine Names, revealed throughout history in different cultures, opens the door to the Infinite, and moves one from the manifestations to the Essence. Explains how the physical is an aspect of the spiritual, and uses numerous stories of prophets, saints and Sufis -- including Sheikh Hamza and his family -- to illustrate the spiritual and physical transformations that are still accessible today. (52:18) |
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The Gift of Existence: Discourse on the difference between historical and mystical approaches to understanding Sufiism, noting the beginning of organized Sufiism under Imam Junayd in Baghdad, but emphasizing the unity of experience on the Sufi path across boundaries of culture, religion and time. This continuity is discussed in the context of valuing moral behavior, similar dreams across cultures, and the quest for the Real through the various states and stations of the path (53:58) |
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Please Be Patient With Them : Discourse on patience (sabr) based on the Qur'anic verse 18:28 "And contain thyself in patience by the side of all who at morn and at evening invoke their Sustainer . . . " and events from the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Explains how patience comes from longing for God out of Love, and how it is developed in gatherings of sincere people where God is remembered. (47:41) |
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The Secrets of The Prophets: Discourse on the hadith of the Prophet (pbuh): "I was given two types of knowledge; one I spread it amongst you, the other, if I revealed, they would cut my head off." Sura Al-Fatihah, the Salat (ritual prayer) and stories of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), other Prophets and Saints (peace on them all) illustrate the secret knowledge that comes through Love, effort, and waiting for Allah to come to you. (47:41) |
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Zikr & Companionship: Discourse on five levels of zikr: lips, heart, spirit (ruh), secret (sirr), and secret of secrets, and the corresponding qualities for each of these levels. Explains the importance of the companionship of an expert on the Sufi path to advance in these levels, and the specificity and universality of the path across religions and cultures. (46:01) |
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Take Off Your Shoes: Discourse on approaching the Divine as illustrated by stories of the prophets Moses and David (peace upon them) and the Sufi saint Rabia. Describes how to move from the manifested to the Real by giving up attachments to transitory things and immersion and identification with the Infinite, until one's heart is filled with the Divine, every movement becomes the expression of the Divine, and by repetition of the Most Beautiful Names one achieves the state of permanent presence with the Divine. (35:45) |
sufione
