Sufi Gnostic Work

Sufis.The father of modern Sufism as we know it, was Hazrat Ali (599 to 661), the nephew of the Prophet Mohammed. While it was due to Mohammed's efforts to reunite the externalised, fragmented, teachings of Abraham (Jewish and Christian teachings) that Islam formed, it was Hazrat Ali who stabilised the ancient esoteric teaching of Zoroaster and Abraham as the inner method of Islam (the Sufis).

The Sufis succeeding Hazrat Ali, through secrecy and in spite of persecution from the outer religions, preserved for 500 years the inner teaching, until a remarkable but hidden influence appeared in 12th. Century Europe with the purpose of regenerating the forces behind the Christian, Muslim and Jewish religions. This influence specifically initiated the formation of the Rosecrucians in Europe. Under this same hidden influence, the Sufi tradition flourished in the 12th. and 13th. Centuries producing the great writer teachers: Jelaludin Rumi of Afghanistan, 1207 to 1273, (wrote "Couplets of Inner Meaning"); Attar of Nishapur, 11?? to 1229?, (wrote over 100 books including "Parliament of the Birds"); and Hakim Sanai of Afghanistan, 1069 to 11?? (wrote "The Walled Garden of Truth"). Also notable were Al Ghazali, 1058 to 1111, (wrote on psychology and philosophy including "The Niche for Lights"); Bahauddin Naqshband 13?? to 1389, (founder of the Naqshbandi Sufis); while the teachings of Ibn el Arabi of Spain, 11?? to 1240, infused the Christianity prevailing in Western Europe. Typically those Sufi teachers operating in areas where Islam was strong, taught strictly within that religious context. Whenever geographical or sociological conditions allowed, they shook of the outer trappings of religion and taught directly.

The central teaching of Sufism is 'zikhr', to remember. Externally it is practised as remembrance of God through silent or group chanting. Internally it is practised as 'Self Remembering', a semi-trance like state with strong Deep Mind awareness. This is supported by restraint of the body's desires. The aim of the practise is the complete destruction of the personal self or ego, allowing a merging with the Divine. Every teaching talks of Love, the Sufis more than most. Sufi Shaikhs contribute to and can draw on an energy field called 'the Sufi pool of love'. But the superficial concept of love as understood in normal life is far from what is meant. When the Minds are stimulated to act from below - the outer world - the motive, however hidden, is self-centred. When stimulated from above - the Spirit - the action is motivated by universal concern for the evolution of consciousness in all forms, which is Love.