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Sufism



Sufism is often referred to as “Islamic mysticism.” It is not a distinct sect of Islam but rather an approach to or discipline of practicing Islam, focusing on the purification of the inner self, striving to make a direct connection with or experience of God. Practitioners, or Sufis, frequently favor asceticism (abstinence from sensual pleasures), but they are also known for their delight in and devotion to God. Whirling dervishes are practitioners of Sufism. The intensely emotional poems of the Persian Sufi poet Rumi still inspire those across many spiritual paths worldwide today.

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How Is Sufism Related to Islam?

Today we talk about an often asked question—what is the relationship between Sufism and Islam? Are they the same thing or is there some difference?

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The Rumi Daybook: 365 Poems and Teachings from the Beloved Sufi Master

"My heart wandered through the world constantly seeking after my cure, but the sweet and delicious water of life had to break through the granite of my heart." When the words of Rumi enter your heart, something softens, breaks, and is subtly reborn.

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The Sufi Approach to Opening the Heart

My Sufi master taught that the goal of Sufism is to develop hearts that can pray.

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FindCenterI thought about one of my favorite Sufi poems, which says that God long ago drew a circle in the sand exactly around the spot where you are standing right now. I was never not coming here. This was never not going to happen.

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What Is Sufism?

There's a story about the Prophet Muhammad in the Muslim tradition, in which the angel Gabriel comes to him and asks, "What is Islam?" to which The Prophet responds that the essence rests upon the actions that a Muslim takes, most notably, proclaiming that there is no God but God.

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Essential Sufism

Essential Sufism draws together more than three hundred fables, poems, and prayers that reveal the luminous spirit of Islamic mysticism.

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Introduction to Sufism - Belief - Oprah Winfrey Network

Varun Soni, dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, shares the basics of Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam that seeks to connect the worshipper to the divine through singing, dancing or artistic expression.

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Caravan of Dreams

Caravan of Dreams distills the essence of Eastern thought in a feast of stories, sayings, poems, and allegories, collected by one of the world’s leading experts in Oriental philosophy.

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Oprah’s Interest in Sufism - Super Soul Sunday - Oprah Winfrey Network

Under the oaks at Oprah’s home in California, Sufi mystic Llewellyn Vaughan Lee defines Sufism and explains why it’s about love and the heart.

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The Way of the Sufi

The Way of the Sufi presents an unparalleled cross-section of material from Sufi schools, teachings and classical writings, as a basic course of Sufi study. The author begins with the outward aspects of the teaching most likely to puzzle the student coming fresh to the subject.

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