Mysticism in the Islamic context is a spiritual path, an inner dimension of Islam called Tawawuf in Arabic that leads to ultimate reality. The inner journey that connects us to the divine source.
In Western languages, Islamic Mysticism is called Sufism since the early 19th century. Sufism is concerned with discovering a deeper identity and authentic self that is beyond the social construct of a false personality. Sufism leads one towards a path of self-discovery and spiritual awareness that connects one to the universe and all the created beings discovering harmony and peace. Sufi practitioners seek to find the truth of divine love and knowledge through direct personal divine experience.
It is a path of love, compassion, and commitment towards self-discipline.
Sufism is beyond dogma and belief system but rather focus on experiential knowledge. Sufism can be described as a devotional movement that emphasizes achieving nearness to God through the path of purification with the aim of self-actualization and internalizing those teachings of Islam.
Sufism encompasses every aspect of human life such as spiritual, social, philosophical, and psychological dimensions.
It is a holistic approach towards Islam, a path of spiritual quest & inner transformation. Today we find the vast majority of Muslims who are unaware or even neglectful of these dimensions of Islam that affect their lives and lead to psychological and spiritual well-being.
My soul is from elsewhere, I’m sure of that, and I intend to end up there.(Rumi)
"My heart has become a receptacle of every form;
it is a pasture for gazelles and a convent for Christian monks,
and a temple for idols, and pilgrims' Kaba,
and the tablets of the Torah, and the book of the Koran.
I follow the religion of love, whichever way its camels take.
For this is my religion and my faith. (Ibn Arabi)
Students will learn;
Genealogy of Sufism.
Role of women in Early Islamic History.
Female Mystics in Medieval Islam & Divine Feminine.
Purpose of Ascetic Practices.
Modernity & Sufism.
