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What is Sufism?

   The Sufi way is not a path of retreat from the world but a way of seeking the Divine while still actively engaged in the world.  Engagement in the world provides opportunities for spiritual growth, opportunities to practice love, awareness, generosity, and nonattachment.  The Sufi approach is summarized by a Sufi master,"keep your hands busy with your duties in this world while your heart busy with God."

   Our hearts have become frozen, armored against the pain and suffering we have all experienced in this world.  With the help of a devoted teacher and sincere brothers and sisters along the path, we can defrost them,
   
     Love, service, and compassion help us reopen our hearts and come closer to God.  One of the greatest service we can perform is to help heal the injured hearts of others.  Our hands are made to lift up those who have fallen, to wipe the tears of those who are suffering from the trials of this world.  Sheikh Muzaffer, a Sufi master, said, "A kind word or glance softens your heart, and every hurtful word or act closes or hardens your heart."
    
    There is a wisdom of the heart far different from the wisdom of the head.  The head can be misled by appearances; the wise heart sees beyond outer forms to inner reality.  As one Sufi master explained Sufism, "Anyone can learn the outer forms of prayer and worship.  Sufism seeks to develop a heart that can pray." 

                                                       Essential Sufism, James Fadiman & Robert Frager