What is Sufism?

Dive deeper into Sufism with some of my other videos: Sufi Music: https://youtu.be/nMaPYccAzfw Andalusian Mysticism/Sufism: https://youtu.be/R_cRji6Cr8M Ibn Arabi: https://youtu.be/-bgWnzjONXE Naqshbandi order: https://youtu.be/3V5w6aIoqKY Dara Shukoh: https://youtu.be/laYyrgdaG70 Shadhili order: https://youtu.be/YLRpJiItvMw Conference of the Birds: https://youtu.be/LkWlDDVB8b8 Ahmadou Bamba: https://youtu.be/HtzUfbHMoWE al-Shushtari: https://youtu.be/Te-ohX1qfHs ---------------------- Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: www.paypal.com/paypalme/letstalkreligion Also check out the Let's Talk Religion Podcast: open.spotify.com/show/0ih4sqtWv0wRIhS6HFgerb?si=95… Music by: Filip Holm Find me and my music here: linktr.ee/filipholm

I am a Dervish, too old to whirl, but my mind turns to God when my body can no longer turn.

I don’t have enough words to express my appreciation for your work.

There has been a lot of misinformation and stereotypes surrounding Sufism/tasawwuf. Thank you for your insightful analysis. Your doing God’s work.

I am an Arab Muslim from Morocco. I enjoyed watching this amazing video. Your channel is great. We travel with you in old islamic history. Thank you for the Arabic subtitle. we want more videos like this ❤️🇲🇦

you and religion breakfsat have taught me more about beauty of Islam in ways that I've never experienced before. And I'm iranian born and raised and right here still. thank you. it's like coming from a dysfunctional family and someone showing you what a loving functional one looks like.

As a muslim woman with sufism at heart, you have been able to show me the beauty of Islam. Your vision and perception is always inspiring and extremely well balanced ❤

The medieval Sufi era was far ahead in thinking than today’s salafi/wahhabi era.

As a Muslim woman from South Asia, growing up in a religious, mystical household but surrounded by a really world application of Islam that places women on the fringes. Sufism is a path that envelopes me, I had not spend a lot of time studying Islam but find myself after listening to you to explore my relationship with the divine. Thank , may you stay blessed.

There is a yugoslavian book called 'Death and the Dervish', an existentialist novel where the main character is a Sufi monk. It is a great read!

I was an atheist from a Muslim background. Eight years ago, I found myself in a profound state of depression, a kind rooted in nihilism, a loss of meaning, and a lack of interest in anything. Through deep self-exploration, delving into what Carl Jung calls the shadow, I unexpectedly had an intense spiritual experience. I wasn't seeking God or any religious answer; it just happened. This experience turned my intellectual world upside down. During and after this experience, Quranic verses I had memorized as a child came to mind, and I began to understand them. I realized that religious scholars don't truly grasp their meaning; they merely repeat what their predecessors said. Religious institutions are a mess, and listening to these pretentious scholars led me to atheism. There are two kinds of religion: the religion of mainstream scholars, which is pure insanity, and the true religion, an experience that cannot be put into words. Some Sufi Muslims, like Al-Hallaj, Ibn Arabi, and Rumi, as well as certain Christian theologians like Meister Eckhart, understood this well. It's not surprising that these figures are often disliked by mainstream scholars and priests. I discovered that the divinity of Christ is one of the most misunderstood subjects by both Christians and Muslims. One of the most shocking realizations for me is that every word in religious texts should be interpreted metaphorically, and mainstream religious scholars are destroying the religion by insisting on interpreting the text literally. In the past, I laughed at the Sufis, thinking they played with mysterious words to hide their atheism. Now, amusingly, I understand them because I've become one of them.

I've just reverted to Islam last sunday (05/09/23). And now this video appears, as a gift.

I’ve been looking forward to this subject for a long time 🧡 the Sufi poets writings resonate like no other ☪️ thank you

as a non-muslim "mystic" person, all these points hit home. some people have known The Truth for thousands of years - but not everybody will understand it. hearing The Truth may even make them murderous. and as the Quran warns, not everybody will completely understand the wisdom within, even as a Muslim. it's insanely comforting to know there have always been people who could See and Hear surrounded by Deaf and Blind.

I’m a Christian but I became aware of Sufism through the poet and metaphysician Charles Upton. Charles is a Sufi Muslim and his work and knowledge are extremely interesting.

I grew up in a remote part of Bagnladesh where Sufism is very common. My own gradfather was a Sufi. I do not practice it but I know all about it. I am astonished at how detailed the explanation of Sufism given in this video and the accuracy of the information, along with correct pronounciation of the arabic words used in Sufism. How long it had taken to research all this I do not know but it must have take a long time. What is also remarkable is that the author is able to narrate flowlessly which tells me that he had not only researched it but actually taken an interest in it and made the effort to learn an understand this complex subject. Congratulation sir.

So brilliant! I am currently on the path to revert to Islam and as a deeply spiritual and mystical being Sufism resonates so much! Thank you 🙏

The maturity and intelligence of this beautiful voice - I expected to see an erudite, gray-bearded elder, not this young man! Not only the beauty of your readings, but expressed appreciation for your patrons, listeners and commentators touches the heart.

Phenomenal watch. Cleared up so many of the misconceptions I've had about this extremely diverse part of Islam, and has honestly reinvigorated my wonder and love for the golden ages of Muslim philosophy & spiritual exploration! Thank you so much for not just making this video, but every single one you've put out so far.

I find myself compelled to share with you an experience that I had six months ago, an experience that introduced me to the concept of "wajd," a mystical state I now realize is a revered ritual within Sufism. Like all of you drawn to this video, I am navigating my own inner odyssey. Having been born in Konya and lived there for a time, I grew up steeped in the spiritual heritage of Sufism and the teachings of Rumi. Throughout the various epochs of my life, I have sought to comprehend Rumi and Sufism more profoundly. I have strived to reconcile the dissonances I found within the Islam that was taught to me, those parts that eluded my rational mind and resonated discordantly within my soul. Despite delving into the Masnavi, immersing myself in the wisdom of Shams Tabrizi, Rumi, and Ibn Arabi, and dedicating extensive efforts to their teachings, shedding the shackles of cultural and religious dogma proved to be a formidable endeavor. The notions of self-discovery, finding divine love, and uniting with the Creator have always held a bewitching allure for me, yet their essence perpetually eluded my grasp. Even now, I do not claim to fully comprehend them. However, in the depths of spiritual turmoil, I stumbled upon fragments of the path that leads to enlightenment. I must preface this by stating that I do not advocate or encourage anyone to follow my footsteps, but the most sublime moments of my life, where abstract concepts crystallized into palpable reality, occurred under the influence of psilocybin mushrooms. Typically, those who consume these for spiritual purposes prepare meticulously for the ritual, guiding themselves through the transcendent experience. My encounter was entirely serendipitous, finding myself immersed in the melodies of the ney ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_vBEr3PXDY&t=8s ) (reed flute). It was then that I discovered the link to this transcendent auditory experience, closed my eyes, and a portal to an unimaginable realm was unveiled. I witnessed my ego and corporeal form dissolve into the symphony. In that ethereal moment, I became the very notes of the playing instruments. I was the breath of the ney player (neyzen). The indescribable sensation that enveloped me, one that defies the confines of language, revealed to me that the love Rumi spoke of, which I had heard about since childhood but never truly understood, was indeed this profound feeling. The state aspired to in Sufism is such that one cannot fathom its destination without experiencing it firsthand. Since that fateful day, reading about Rumi or Sufism has often brought tears to my eyes, sometimes causing me to weep uncontrollably. Now, everything holds a deeper meaning, and my singular purpose is to attain that consciousness of Sufism. As an aside, I am reminded of a book that I wish to share with you. While it does not directly align with Sufism, it is penned by a scholar from the realm of positive science, who elucidates the human condition down to our cellular level and observes that we are more than mere matter. This book, too, has opened my eyes in myriad ways. The author is Bruce Lipton, and the book is titled "The Biology of Belief." Witnessing our spiritual essence corroborated by scientific inquiry was profoundly enlightening for me.