THE SUFI MESSAGE

THE SUFI MESSAGE
HAZRAT INAYAT KHAN

Monday, November 29, 2010

FAKIRS & DERVISHES & YOGIS

As some of you may know or have senses, possibly, if you have delved into these things with any degree of curiosity and excitement, that SUFIS have much in common with Fakirs,Dervishes, and Yogis, usually on the physical level(s) and which include postures, dances, and other 'exertions' that one could find nearly everywhere in Asia, especially in the Near East, in India, and elsewhere......the connections and associations with these groups and the larger, more esoteric SUFI COMMUNITIES have been explored and exposed in various writings....some religious,some philosophical, some sensational, and others a bit historical....... Those who made, what I shall call, 'SUFISM" popular in the WEST have had an impact on many which some do not realize and others may exaggerate a bit...but nonetheless, since SUFIS are attached and connected and often associated with ISLAM, which is growing in strength in some areas of the world and certainly causing concerns in West these days for obvious reasons, it is important to realize that SUFIS are not always welcome or accepted in Islam's more orthodox or extreme groups and actually persecuted....the same for those who are Bahai's and perhaps even 'Subudians" another term that I shall use, which was given to me by a friend who discussed SUBUD with me and shared some of his experiences,etc. Of course, there are other groups closely resembling Sufis but who have a different orientation when it comes to religious or mystical practices...and some of these will be mentioned and discussed when I have more time to do so.... Understandably, those who favor, admire, and adhere to Sufi Doctrines and Practices may not agree with anything I say and I do not expect or want them to do so as my limitations are most obvious but my interests are still keen and not dulled by sojourns in other areas all my life.....even if, as some claim and point out, from the periphery......

No comments:

Post a Comment