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Including:

• Sufism - Etymology
• Sufism - History of Sufism
• Sufism - Origins
• Sufism - The great Masters of Sufism
• Sufism - Formalisation of Philosophies of Sufism
• Sufism - Propagation of Sufism
• Sufism - Modern Sufism
• Sufism - Influences
• Sufism - Basic beliefs
• Sufism - Sufi Concepts
• Sufism - Lataif-e-sitta The Six Subtleties
• Sufism - Sufi cosmology
• Sufism - Sufi practices
• Sufism - Muraqaba
• Sufism - Dhikr
• Sufism - Qawwali
• Sufism - Sama
• Sufism - Orders of Sufism
• Sufism - Traditional orders
• Sufism - Non-Traditional Sufi Groups
• Sufism - Traditional Islamic schools of thought and Sufism
• Sufism - Sources

Read more here: » Sufism: Encyclopedia - Sufism

Sufism

Ancient Persian mystical religious system which has been absorbed by Islam. Rather than focusing on the Five Pillars of Islam, Sufis seek ultimate religious experience through mystic trances or altered states of consciousness, often induced through twirling dances (the Òwhirling dervishÓ). Although the Qur'an is considered scripture, many practitioners have more in common with the New Age movement than with classic forms of Islam.

(See also: Sufism , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Sufism Dictionary

The history of Sufism can be divided into the following principal periods: Sufism - Origins. According to the history of Sufism as told by Sufi masters themselves, Sufism began as a hidden or esoteric teaching of the Prophet Muhammad during his 23 year prophetic career. Almost all traditional Sufi schools or orders trace their orgins or "chains of transmission" back to the Prophet Muhammad, either through his cousin and son-in-law Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib or through caliph Abu Bakr. From their point of view, ...

See also:

Sufism, Sufism - Etymology, Sufism - History of Sufism, Sufism - Origins, Sufism - The great Masters of Sufism, Sufism - Formalisation of Philosophies of Sufism, Sufism - Propagation of Sufism, Sufism - Modern Sufism, Sufism - Influences, Sufism - Basic beliefs, Sufism - Sufi Concepts, Sufism - Lataif-e-sitta The Six Subtleties, Sufism - Sufi cosmology, Sufism - Sufi practices, Sufism - Muraqaba, Sufism - Dhikr, Sufism - Qawwali, Sufism - Sama, Sufism - Nazar ill'al-murd, Sufism - Orders of Sufism, Sufism - Traditional orders, Sufism - Non-Traditional Sufi Groups, Sufism - Traditional Islamic schools of thought and Sufism, Sufism - Sources

Read more here: » Sufism: Encyclopedia II - Sufism - History of Sufism

The history of Sufism can be divided into the following principal periods: Sufism - Origins. According to the history of Sufism as told by Sufi masters themselves, Sufism began as a hidden or esoteric teaching of the Prophet Muhammad during his 23 year prophetic career. Almost all traditional Sufi schools or orders trace their orgins or "chains of transmission" back to the Prophet Muhammad, either through his cousin and son-in-law Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib or through his friend Abu Bakr. From their point of v ...

See also:

Sufism, Sufism - Etymology, Sufism - History of Sufism, Sufism - Origins, Sufism - The great Masters of Sufism, Sufism - Formalisation of Philosophies of Sufism, Sufism - Propagation of Sufism, Sufism - Modern Sufism, Sufism - Influences, Sufism - Basic beliefs, Sufism - Sufi Concepts, Sufism - Lataif-e-sitta The Six Subtleties, Sufism - Sufi cosmology, Sufism - Sufi practices, Sufism - Muraqaba, Sufism - Dhikr, Sufism - Qawwali, Sufism - Sama, Sufism - Orders of Sufism, Sufism - Traditional orders, Sufism - Non-Traditional Sufi Groups, Sufism - Traditional Islamic schools of thought and Sufism, Sufism - Sources

Read more here: » Sufism: Encyclopedia II - Sufism - History of Sufism

Siddha master:

One who has attained the state of enlightenment and who has the capacity to awaken the dormant spiritual energy of a disciple and guide him or her to the state of the Truth.

(See also: Siddha master , Yoga, Yoga Dictionary, Siddha Yoga, Siddha Yoga Dictionary)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V X Y Z

For more dictionary entries, see » Sufism Dictionary

Enneagram system (Enneagram, Enneatype system): System of spiritual psychology based on an ancient Sufi typology of nine (ennea in Greek) personality types or primary roles:

(1)           the achiever (reformer) - orderly, rational, and self-righteous;

(2)           the helper - generous, manipulative, and possessive;

(3)           the succeeder (motivator, status-seeker) - ambitious, hostile, and pragmatic;

(4)           the individualist (artist) - intuitive, self-absorbed, and sensitive;

(5)           the observer (thinker) - analytic, original, and provocative;

(6)           the guardian (loyalist) - defensive, engaging, and responsible;

(7)           the dreamer (generalist) - accomplished and manic;

(8)           the confronter (leader) - combative, dominating, and self-confident; and

(9)           the preservationist (peacemaker) - easygoing and receptive.

Each type has a prime psychological addiction (fixation or blind spot), respectively: anger, pride, deceit, envy, greed, fear, gluttony, lust for life and power, and laziness. These addictions include Christianity's seven deadly sins.

(a)           Recognition of one's type is tantamount to spiritual awakening. in the process of neutralizing the prime addiction:

(b)          achievers become pathfinders,

(c)           helpers become partners, succeeders become motivators,

(d)           individualists become builders,

(e)           observers become explorers,

(f)             guardians become stabilizers,

(g)           dreamers become illuminators,

(h)           confronters become philanthropists, and

(i)             preservationists become universalists.

(See also: Enneagram system , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Sufism Dictionary

This FAQ gives an overview of those kundalini yoga practices which require conscious effort. Part I of III.

In Part III: 1) But even if kundalini is dangerous, isn't it a faster way to enlighenment?, 2) What are the origins of kundalini yoga?, 3) What is the classical literature of kundalini yoga?, 4) What is the precise role of the guru in kundalini yoga?, 5) Can't I learn it through books?, 6) Where can I gain instruction on kundalini yoga?, 7) Where can I learn more?

Read more here: » Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini Yogas FAQ (part III of III)

" The only thing necessary for evil to triumph ", wrote Edmund Burke, " is for good men to do nothing ".

It is gratifying that in the midst of religious violence in the country many voices of resistance and sanity are being raised. The focus of this movement is promotion of tolerance and respect for diversity. However, I think something needs to be added to the "literary debate" about Islam, Hinduism and the problem of religious intolerance - namely, insight into the human mind's attachment to identity and fear of its loss.

(See also: Sufism , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Sufism: Identity And Form - A Sufi View  

Sufism

(Ma'rufu'l-karkhi) Islamic mysticism; apprehension of divine realities and the reuniciation of human possessions, 9th century

(See also: Sufism , Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Sufism Dictionary

yoga-nidra

the mystic slumber of Lord Vishnu.

(See also: yoga-nidra , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Sufism Dictionary

Here is a part of Patanjalis yoga-aphorisms describing the supernatural powers of a yogi. An extract from the Patanjali Yoga Sutras.

Read more here: » Sidhis - Supernatural Powers Patanjali Yoga Sutras - Illumination (Part IV of IV)

Two men went into a mango garden. One man started counting the mango trees and the number of fruit each bore and approximate value of the orchard.

The other man went straight to the owner and making his acquaintance was invited by him to pluck and taste the fruit.

One was busy in counting and calculating, the other was enjoying the delicious fruit. Ramakrishna Paramhansa would cite this example to show the difference between the man of dry academics and the man of devotion.

(See also: Importance of emotions in relation with god , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Importance of emotions in relation with god: Your Creator can be Your Best Friend  

Sufis tend to remain hidden in a mysterious world, revealing themselves only to chosen seekers of truth - who are receptive and devoted. This has been their way for thousands of years. They pray to God in the middle of night, in its deep silence when the world sleeps, as they don't want to make an exhibition of their prayer.

Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita: "The meditator meditates alone in the deep night when everybody in the world is sleeping". And Sufis do the same.

(See also: Osho , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Osho: Sufi Path of Love - Fragrant and Fresh  

What Banaras is to a believing Hindu, Karbala was to my Shia mother. She wanted to be buried there. My mother shed more tears on the tenth of Muharram, the day of Imam Husain's martyrdom than she did on November 19, the day my father died.

"To mourn for a husband is to mourn for oneself. To mourn for Husain is to mourn for mankind," she would say. "You lose a son, a fortune or a kingdom. Its memory fades as does the pain of its loss. But not the pain of Husain's martyrdom. It is a larger pain that goes beyond in dividual pain."

(See also: Karbala , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Karbala: Karbala, a Symbol Of Intense Faith  

One Friday afternoon, on his way to offer the weekly namaz at a mosque, a friend found an accident victim lying unattended on the road. As he hesitated over what to do a few more passers-by joined him.

Reasoning to himself that the injured person will now be taken care of, he hurriedly continued to walk towards the mosque. But that day, no matter how hard he prayed, peace eluded him.

Something was missing. He agonised over whether he could remain indifferent to a fellow human being's suffering while making fervent attempts to serve God through prayer?

(See also: Charity , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Charity: Worship God through Community Service  

The Prophet Muhammad started receiving revelations from Allah in 610 AD through an angel. When he began to propagate the divine message, the people of Mecca turned against him. In those testing times Khadijah, his wife, and Abu Talib, his uncle, were a great help to him, but shortly thereafter they both died.

When the Meccans seemed to be on the verge of crushing Islam, the Prophet Muhammad had an extraordinary experience. This is known as al-Isra and al-Miraj or the Night Journey and the Ascension.

(See also: Namaz , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Namaz: Truth Unveiled in Seventh Heaven - about Namaz  

Everyday during Ramzan, for one lunar month from sunrise to sunset, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and smoking.

Why do Muslims undertake to fast during Ramzan? The common answer is that the Qur'an ordains it: ''O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self- restraint (2:183). Socially and personally, fasting has great relevance.''

(See also: Ramzan , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Ramzan: Social Relevance of Ramzan Fast  

Kevala kumbhaka:

spontaneous cessation of breath without any conscious effort.

(See also: Kevala kumbhaka ,Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Sufism Dictionary