SUFILOVEPATH site guide
SUFILOVEPATH : – who we are, [pictures], what we are trying to do, when we meet, how to get in touch; >> making good communities.
THE SUFI QUEST: - the search, including higher stages of awareness; the powers of the Masters; and how our approach differs from that of other sufi paths.
>>the purpose of life >>the endless longing;>> the powers of the Masters and how to reach them. >>.the special Naqshbandi way
LOVE’S ENEMIES: the things that keep love from us are 1) Our egos; 2) Materialism, 3) destructive emotion, 4) and the powers of Satan.
>>Combating the Four enemies.
We then go into each enemy in more detail;
Materialism; ‘dunya,’ love of the world, belief that ‘this is all there is'
>>Self inflicted misery of materialism
>>On Patience and love
>>Beyond ‘logic’ – open your mind.
>>Simple living
>>Balancing Act between this world and the next
>> Happiness, patience and Love
Ego: - everyone has a unique potential but used wrongly it keeps love from us:
>>Very important people [supposedly]
>>Balancing needs of self and Ego
>>Reducing the Ego
>>Getting on with people
Passions; anger and lust can obscure the presence of Real Love >>Anger is forbidden
>>Swallow your anger
>>Sexual Temptation
>>Heart medicine
Satan : is Allah’s greatest favour - but protect yourself from the presence of evil:
>>People of advanced thinking
>>Your special Satan
>>Good and Evil
>>Protect yourself
>> No entry for Satan
WHAT IS LOVE? - Sufi Beliefs on the Love that gives sweetness to life – and how it’s lost: >>Love is the water of life
>>Love feeds the soul
>>Love is life’s sweetener
>>Absolute love oceans
THE PATHS TO LOVE; 1) Guidance; 2) Learning to use love in your life; and 3) Spiritual Practices.
Take a guide; the wisdom of those who have already arrived is vital for spiritual seekers:
>>love comes from the Prophets
>>the Benefit of taking a Master
>>Whom should I follow?
>>the Naqshbandi[i] Golden Chain
>> clutching the coat tails – (testimony and history of Shaykh Nazim)
>>Getting Support.
Love in your life - respect, intimacy, general good will - >>love and help everyone
>>Loving ‘difficult’ people
>> Love - from human to divine
>>Tests of love
>>Follow good ones towards the divine
Spiritual Practices remembering God (dhikr)[ii] cleans hearts, combats stress & depression; – the role of good works.
>>The Dhikr of Love; and >>the Power of Dhikr
>>Communal Dhikr
>>Love in worship; and >>Pray for Love
>>Starting to pray
>>Salat refreshes the soul
>>love is the motor for charity
THE JOURNEY Everyone’s journey is unique but perhaps there are some common way stations – the call to faith, ‘servanthood,’ following the sunnah (way of the Prophet), enduring tests … (and ctd next section) >>cutting the tunnel of the ego
>>Be a better servant
>>Bring your best
>>Tests are inevitable
>>on loss - (the Sheikh’s reply to a question)
>>About doubt
>>Accepting your destiny (another sufi story)
>> The most important target – is Love.
Love of ALLAH >>Love that lasts - ( this world is temporary)
>>the umbrella of love ( how can we love Allah?)
>>Know your special Divine Attribute
>>move from respect to LOVE
>>Towards the ultimate
[i] Naqshbandis are one of the Sufi orders of Islam. We can trace the tradition of these teachings through the Chain of distinguished Shaykhs back as far as the Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him)
[ii] Dhikr ['meditation'] pronounced zicker
[i] This is not a cult of ‘personality;’ but Shaykh Nazim is a wise spiritual guide who has been teaching his followers (murids) since 1975. His talks are informal and given to groups sitting around him. Each one is different. Over the years they have been recorded and transcribed into books. Others are now available on line. The sub-pages of this site are all drawn from these talks. Some have been edited to update the English which is not the Sheikh’s first language. There is more about Shaykh Nazim via the Take a Guide button.
[ii] Naqshbandis are one of the Sufi orders of Islam. We can trace the tradition of these teachings through the Chain of distinguished Shaykhs back as far as the Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him)
[iii] Dhikr pronounced zicker
