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The capital of the Path is, in truth, nothing other than sincerity. Sincerity has been defined as ‘showing yourself as you really are’ and ‘being inwardly what you show yourself to be’.
In Sufi terminology, ‘absence’ refers to ‘absence from self and the world’, while ‘presence’ signifies ‘presence with God’. Masters of the Path have considered absence and presence to be two separate stations, maintaining that absence is the result of presence and that until presence comes about, absence cannot take place.
The relationship between master and disciple is based on three principles: 1) The disciple’s devotion to a master, 2) The zekr that the master inculcates in the disciple, and 3) The master’s attention to the disciple.
People should be aware that Sufism today differs considerably from that of a thousand years ago. Moreover, it is undergoing constant evolutionary developments in accordance with the changing conditions of society.
If we liken God to the ocean and the human individual to a drop, we can say that the function of Sufism is to carry the drop to the ocean. A master of the Path is like a river linked to the ocean. The drop must commit itself to the river so that it can be carried to the ocean.
The essential message of Sufism, a message holding true for all Sufis, is this; to remember God and serve others. The purpose of remembering God is to focus the sufi solely on Divine Unity. [...] When one becomes a Sufi and loves God, that person loves all beings as manifestations of God and serves them.
From the Sufi’s point of view, God is Absolute Being, and whatever exists is a determination or manifestation of Him. The Sufis maintain that all being exists through God’s Being without which there would be nothing. As Rumi says: We are nonexistence, displaying the illusion of existence; You are Absolute Being and our only true existence.
The etiquette and ethics of the Sufis reflect the way and custom of the highest, most perfected human beings. This etiquette and ethics involve a number of practices, the most important of which are as follows: 1. The Sufi gives precedence to all of creation over himself. 2. The Sufi is fair to all, yet expects fairness from no one....
