1. Sair ita Allah: progress toward God. This leads to Fana.
2. Sair fi Allah: progress within God. The experience of divine unity, and acquiring divine attributes in the process. This is Baqa.
3. Sair 'ani Allah: progress beyond God. Attainment of non-existence, the permanent state of Fana.
The third stage can not be approached through study or receiving teachings, only direct experience. And experience has four components:
1. Dhikr: chanting the name of God;
2. Riyadat: ascetic practices such as fasting;
3. Inkisar: detachment from worldly things and conditions;
4. Subha: surrendering the ego to the absolute reality.
Rumi advocated the calling of the divine name as the supreme approach to awakening the divine presence within. In the Sufi tradition, this is performed in conjunction with rhythmic breathing.
Five Purification Breaths - The exercise that prepares the practitioner for rhythmic breathing is the five purifications of the soul. The universal elements are the focal points, being Earth, Water, Fire, and Air.
1. Begin at sunrise if possible, when the elements are at their peak. Posture should be standing upright.
2. Breath slowly and deeply, keeping in mind the energy of the Earth. Visualize it as the color Yellow, entering your body as you inhale through the nose. It travels upward from the ground through your spine to your crown. As it does so, the Earth element filters out all impurities. It returns to the ground when you exhale through the nose. Repeat four times (a total of five).
3. Breath slowly and deeply, keeping in mind the energy of Water. Visualize it as the color Green, entering your nose as you inhale. The Water element moves upward from the stomach, through your spine to your crown. As it does so, the liquid washes away all impurities. It exits from your stomach when you exhale through the mouth. Repeat four times (a total of five).
4. Breath slowly and deeply, keeping in mind the energy of Fire. Visualize it as the color Red, entering your body through your heart as you inhale. The Fire element moves upward to your crown. As it does so, the fire burns away all impurities. It exits from your heart when you exhale through the nose. Repeat four times (a total of five).
5. Breath slowly and deeply, keeping in mind the energy of Air. Visualize it as the color Blue, entering your body through all of your pores as you inhale. The Air element moves through all the organs and tissues, blowing away all the impurities. It exits through the pores when you exhale through your mouth. Repeat four times (a total of five).
The Divine Name
Following the breathing purifications, recitation of the divine name may proceed. In Islam, the names of God are manifold, but there is only one God. This dictate is cited in the Qu'ran and becomes the Sufi mantra for awakening the divine presence within:
La ilaha illa-llah: Mohammedan rasul Allah.
There is no God but God: and Mohammed is his prophet.
Direct Experience
Sufism is an expression of Bhakti Yoga, the experience of seeing the divine presence in everything and honoring that divinity. There is a simplicity in this approach, along with a rich and resonant love that transcends (but also includes) the personal realm. However, the Sufis depart from the Bhakti Yoga tradition in that they do not revere gurus or teachers. Rather, they seek truth within themselves, and follow no living teacher. They can only be guided by angels.
Where Buddhist philosophy may emphasize the attainment of emptiness, Sufism moves toward the opposite state, fullness. The full perception of divine love and unity is sought. And all worlds – human, divine, and nature – fuse in the Sufi meditation on oneness.
In the West, Sufi dancing has attained considerable interest. It has presented some hesitation on the part of women's participation, however. This is due to the traditionally segregated nature of Islam. Even though women played a significant role in the life of Mohammed, customs have prevailed in keeping much of the practice separated for men and women.
The Language of Sufism
• Hadith: the narrative record of the Qu'ran that explains its precepts and provides commentary.
• Taqwa: God consciousness, which is endowed to every human being.
• Tasawwuf: the true name of the mystical path known as Sufism.
The Sikhs
In the 15th century, a religious teacher in what is now Pakistan attempted to remedy the segregation of the sexes and classes in religious practice. In addition, he also sought to reconcile the prevailing religious of his day – Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Guru Nanak founded the Sikh ("disciple") movement, a mystical sect that practiced trance meditation and believed in one God and harmonious living.
Nanan wrote the Jap-ji, a collection of poems that are now the Sikh guiding principles. In them, he spoke of union with the divine presence and methods by which it could be realized. His spiritual approach was a fusion of Bhakti and Tantra Yoga with Sufism. One of the mantras of the practice expresses this cohesion:
Eck Ong Kar Sat Nam Siri Wha Guru.
"The Supreme is One, His names are many."
There is also a similar recognition of the elemental forces that Sufism presents, though they are associated with qualities of mind:
Earth teaches us patience and love;
Air teaches us mobility and liberty;
Fire teaches us warmth and courage;
Sky teaches us equality and broadmindness;
Water teaches us purity and cleanliness.
We will imbibe these qualities in Nature
For our personalities to be fuller, happier, and nobler.
Sikhs are now engaged in a war of autonomy with the Hindus. They are distinguished by their uncut beards and hair, which they wear in elaborate turbans. They have a strict practice of cleanliness and courtesy, being tolerant of all classes and religions. All men carry the surname of Singh ("lion") and the women are Kaur ("princess").
Ecstatic Dance
Unless you are a member of a Sufi tariqa, the modern experience of Sufism is limited to viewing dervish performances in theaters and events in some Muslim countries. Participation by outsiders is limited, though a welcoming attitude is always shown to the spiritual pilgrim.
Mantras or phrases of sacred names are also incorporated in the modern Sufi dances. There are recitations of the many words for God, "Allah," "Yeshua" (Jesus), "Buddha," and "Rama" (among many others). These are delivered in chant-like song to the rhythm of the music.
Sacred dance is not a new idea, and many indigenous cultures use dance as a major component in their mystical practices. As in Tantra, the fusion of the senses with mind can allow the meditator to depart from ordinary consciousness and enter exalted states of mind and feeling.
http://www.templeharakhte.org/All_About_Meditation.html
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