Weblinks

 www.alim.org

 www.arches.uga.edu

 http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/beliefs.htm

Suggested Readings

 Chand, T. I. (1979). Thought and – in – The World of the Sufi. The Ltd. UK.

 Fadiman, J. & Frager, R. (1999). Essential . Harpe Collins Publishers Inc. New York, USA.

 Fadiman, J. & Frager, R. (1999). Heart, Self and Soul: The Sufi Psychology of growth, balance and harmony. Wheaton, IL: Quest Books.

 Izutsu, T. (1983). Sufism and Taoism. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

 Mijares, S.G. (2002). Modern Psychology and Ancient Wisdom: An Anthology of Healing Practices from the World's Religious Traditions. New York: Haworth Press.

 Rushbrook Williams, L.F. (1974). Sufi Studies: East and West. Tonbridge Printers Ltd., UK.

 Shaffi, M. (1985). Freedom from the Self. Human Sciences Press Inc., USA.

PSYCHOLOGY Paper No 6 : Self & Inner Growth Know_more

Module No 35: Self, Spirit and Soul: Perspectives of Islam and Sufism (Part-A)

 Shah, I. (1980). . The Octagon Press Ltd., UK.

 Trimingham, J.S. (1973). The Sufi orders in Islam. Oxford Publishing House.

 Watt, W.M. (1963). The Faith and practice of Al- Ghazali. Oneworld Publication. U.S.A.

Did you know?

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If all Qurans in the world today were destroyed, the original Arabic would remain, because millions of Muslims, called Huffaz have memorized the text of the Quran letter for letter from beginning to end, every word and syllable. In addition, chapters from the Quran are precisely recited from memory by every Muslim in each of the five daily prayers.

The Islamic calendar is based on the phases of the moon, with it being approximately 11 days shorter

than the 365 days of the year in the Georgian calendar. Hence, the dates of the festivals (Eid -ul- Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha) move through the year.

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

PSYCHOLOGY Paper No 6 : Self & Inner Growth Know_more

Module No 35: Self, Spirit and Soul: Perspectives of Islam and Sufism (Part-A)

Interesting Facts

Description Image A Sufi Story - A story that reminds the knowledge reside within oneself and important others around.

The village elders had failed time after time to resolve a difficult problem. They invited a very wise person from another village to come and help them. In time, she came. People gathered to hear her wisdom. She asked them: “Do you know what I am going to tell you?” In unison they responded, “NO”.

The wise women replied, “You will only learn what you already know, and if you don’t know, I am leaving.” She left. The village was in an uproar.

Months passed and the problem didn’t go away. The elders debated and issued a second invitation to the wise women. In advance of her arrival, they coached the villagers.

When the woman arrived the second time, the village gathered. Again she asked, “Do you know what I am going to tell you?” The villagers shouted in unison, “YES”. She stared at the people. “If you already know, then I have nothing to tell you.” She left.

The village became even more frustrated, but after many months, the issued a third invitation. This time they were ready for the wise woman

“Do you know what I am going to tell you?” Half the villagers shouted “YES”; the other half PSYCHOLOGY Paper No 6 : Self & Inner Growth Know_more

Module No 35: Self, Spirit and Soul: Perspectives of Islam and Sufism (Part-A)

shouted “NO”. The wise woman looked at the people and said, “Those who know should now get together with those who don’t; and then you will all know.” She rose left and never returned.

That night, an elderly woman had a dream. “Last night, a voice told me the meaning of the message from the wise women. She wanted us to know that important knowledge can be derived from our own self, people from our community and our traditions, not from outside experts. We already have the knowledge.We just don’t have the confidence to believe in ourselves.”

Source: acorrigiblepoet.wordpress.com ; episodbaru.blogspot.com ; www.new-startups.com

Building inner positives: Its fun to play with your negatives

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Take a sheet of paper.

Start by writing about all the emotions, which you could possibly feel, both positive and negative- now write one object which you posses for each of the emotion.

Try writing the names of funny objects for negative emotions. After writing it, visualize the funny objects in relation to all the negative emotion.

Strive practicing it whenever a negative emotion blocks your way.

Timeline: Development of main sects of Sufism

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PSYCHOLOGY Paper No 6 : Self & Inner Growth Know_more

Module No 35: Self, Spirit and Soul: Perspectives of Islam and Sufism (Part-A)

Here are a few of the main sects.

The Qadiriya were started by ex-Hanbalite ‘Abd al- Qadir al-Gilani 1077 A.D.. They are one of the oldest sects, the largest, and the most peaceful. They recite , "There is no god but Allah."

Mevleviye/Maulawiya Order was founded by Jalal al- Din . Fazlur Rahman says this is the main urban order among Turkish Sufis.

The Indian Chishtiya/Cishtiyya Order was founded by Muan al-Din Chishi (1141-1236 A.D.). They make pilgrimages to his tomb, as did Akbar, the Emperor of India. They are pacifists who differ from many Muslims in viewing revenge as wrong. Unlike many Sufis, they do not believe in dissimilitude. While most Muslims want an Islamic state, they believe in having no involvement in government. This is in spite of the numerous Sunni hadiths on Islamic government. They practice breath regulation, as do Yogis. Their main book is ‘Awaif al-Ma-arif.

The Order in Central Asia spawned the Yasawiya, the oldest Turkish order. Baha al-Din of Bukhara (d.1389 A.D.) was a Khwajagan who left and founded the Naqshbandiya order in India. They said their order came from Abu Bakr though, which shows they claim to be Sunnis.

The Persian Subhawardiya order was founded by ‘Umar al-Suhrawardi (died 1236). It claims it was actually from the caliph ‘Umar, so it also is in the Sunni camp. It is in India, Pakistan, and .

The Rifa’iya order was founded by Ahmad al-Rifai d.1182). It is in Turkey, Egypt, and Southeast Asia.

The Sa’diya/Jibawiya was allegedly founded by Sad al-Din died 1300 in Damascus.

The Sanusiya order is distinctive for their 60,000 lights doctrine. Their emphasis on light is reminiscent of some Gnostic teachings.

The Tijaniya order in Africa was started c.1781 at Fez by Ahmad al-Tijani (d.1815 A.D.) It came from the PSYCHOLOGY Paper No 6 : Self & Inner Growth Know_more

Module No 35: Self, Spirit and Soul: Perspectives of Islam and Sufism (Part-A)

Persian Khalwati/Khalwatiya order, which was founded by ‘Umar al-Khalwati. This order is in Turkey, Egypt, and northwest Africa.

More Strange Orders

The Bektashi/Bektashiya came out of the Yawawiya order, which came out of the Khwajagan order. It has elements of Shamanism, Shiite Islam, and some Christianity influence. It was the sect of Islam popular among the Janissaries, and survives today in Albania. They believe in a "Trinity" of Allah, Mohammed, and ‘Ali. They celebrate new members with (alcoholic) wine, bread, and cheese.

The Qalanders/Kalenders were a Sufi order not really bound by Islam, with many pre-Islamic teachings. They revolted against the Turks in 1526-1527. The Divan of Hafez mentions them negatively.

Ma-Ming Hsin in the last part of the 18th century started a Sufi order in China.

Ibn el/al-Arabi of Murcia (in Spain) founded a pantheistic order, saying that all is a part of God. One of the few women leaders was his Sufi teacher Fatima bint Waliyya.

Source: www.richard-seaman.com; www.pinterest.com

Exercise for self-understanding

Imagine that you are facing a gate. On your side of the gate is the infinitely large and complex world of phenomena — the grasses in the prairies, the teeming cities, the clouds over the ocean, babies crying, wars being fought, suffering, love making, your thoughts, everyone's thoughts, the stars sprinkled in the heavens, every single appearance everywhere, everything, every self. On the other side of the gate is non dual reality, selflessness, enlightenment, the absolute, God. The gate is the gate of awakening. This gate of awaking could only be opened by first understanding the one who wants to go on the other side i.e., you- your own self. Understanding self is a difficult area to conquer but the starting point could be to first understand the external realities and which part of that reality brings what all emotions inside you. The emotions could be of joy, anger, sadness or jealousy, disgust etc. The exercise starts by finding a soothing place where you could be surrounded by the natural beauty, then feeling and writing about all the experiences of happiness and sadness of that day. PSYCHOLOGY Paper No 6 : Self & Inner Growth Know_more

Module No 35: Self, Spirit and Soul: Perspectives of Islam and Sufism (Part-A)

Making a diary of the experiences for a month and then reflecting upon it. By understanding the joyous moments, and the reason behind them, could open the whole spectrum of sheer pleasure and happiness.

PSYCHOLOGY Paper No 6 : Self & Inner Growth Know_more

Module No 35: Self, Spirit and Soul: Perspectives of Islam and Sufism (Part-A)