as Reprinted with kind permission from Mounuddin and The Pathfinder

The Sufi is like the earth, on which every foul thing is thrown and from which fair things come forth. Al-Junayd

There are many perspectives which one might write about Sufism; however, I think the most relevant perspective would be to share what Sufism can offer a seeker on the path to Self-Realization. In order to elucidate this perspective, as is the custom among the Sufis, I will speak from personal experience as a long time seeker (and sometimes finder) on the path of Sufism.

Among many, let me share three pivotal perspectives of Sufism (from the Sufi Schools with which I am affiliated) that have proven particularly helpful to my spiritual growth. These are: (1) Sufism is Universal; (2) Sufism seeks Divinity within humanity; and (3) Sufism is experiential.

Sufism is Universal.

This means that Sufism is open to the Divine Message as brought by all illuminated souls. It also means Sufism engenders a freedom to explore new expressions of Spirituality. It recognizes the contribution of all sincere paths of Truth, all beings and all life as the unfoldment and expression of Divine Consciousness. Sufism has never adhered to a single doctrine of faith or prescribed dogma, rather it has evolved through a spiritual egalitarianism open to an exchange of philosophies and practices with those mystical schools with which it has been juxtaposed throughout history.

The word Sufi was derived from the Arabic word, Suf, meaning wool. In the Near East, wool was the material of the garments worn by ascetics. This etymological association developed because during an early period in the Middle East, Islam changed from a "faith" to a "political empire" and the society became very materialistic. As a reaction to this materialism, a group of people shunned its decadent way of life, went into the desert and became ascetics. Here they met the Christian "Desert Fathers" and adopted their style of dress which was a coarse woolen robe-worn in contrast to the silks and finery that people of society wore.

They also gained much in the way of technique and style from the "Desert Fathers" and during this period modeled themselves on Christ because of his association with poverty and charity.

In Sufism, therefore, one does not seek to create walls of division between one'self and others but to understand and even partake of other perspectives, accepting other religions, pathways, philosophies and techniques for discovering our fundamental Spirituality and the underlying Truth of Existence.

The Universal nature of Sufism also means it recognizes the many religions of the world. In several of the Sufi Orders to which I belong, we have a wonderful celebration called the Universal Worship Service. This service incorporates, along a given theme, sacred hymns, scriptural readings, teachings and even dances from among the many religions of the world. It is a joyous celebration which brings great insight owing to the fact that it illuminates the common thread of Truth running through the many religions which have sought to keep alive the light of truth amidst the darkness of human existence.

There are many ministers, rabbis, Imams, etc., who are Sufis and many Sufis who deeply participate in the religion of their choice-there is no conflict in this because Sufism itself is not a religion. What is Sufism? To quote Hazrat Inayat Khan who brought Sufism to the West in 1910: If anybody asks what Sufism is, what kind of religion it is?

The answer is that Sufism is the religion of the heart, the religion in which the primary thing of importance is to seek God in the heart of humankind.

This perspective is important to me because it has both empowered, enlarged and enriched my search for truth. It provides a sense of personal freedom rather than constraint.

Sufism sees the Individual as Divine and the Divine as Individual.

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