Sufism -- Sufis -- Sufi Orders

Sufism's Many Paths

Dr. Alan Godlas, University of Georgia

Sufism or tasawwuf, as it is called in Arabic, is generally understood by scholars and Sufis to be the inner, mystical, or psycho-spiritual dimension of Islam. Today, however, many Muslims and non-Muslims believe that Sufism is outside the sphere of Islam. Nevertheless, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, one of the foremost scholars of Islam, in his article The Interior Life in Islam contends that Sufism is simply the name for the inner or esoteric dimension of Islam.

After nearly 30 years of the study of Sufism, I would say that in spite of its many variations and voluminous expressions, the essence of Sufi practice is quite simple. It is that the Sufi surrenders to God, in love, over and over; which involves embracing with love at each moment the content of one's consciousness (one's perceptions, thoughts, and feelings, as well as one's sense of self) as gifts of God or, more precisely, as manifestations of God.

Workshop on Sufi-Islamic meditation with Dr. Godlas in the Bahamas, March 22-24, 2012 As a part of the "Meditation as a Path to Enlightenment: An Interfaith Symposium" held at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in Nassau, Bahamas, March 18, 2012 to March 24, 2012, Dr. Godlas will be giving a series of presentations (on March 22, 23, and 24) involving both lectures on meditative practice in Sufism as well as sessions of silent and vocal dhikr (i.e., Sufi meditation and chanting). Participants are welcome to come for just Dr. Godlas' presentations, for the entire symposisum, or for any part of it. For costs and reservations, see the information at Sivananda Ashram website, linked here.

Sufi Spiritual Transformation Workshop w/Dr. Godlas March 29-30, 2008, near Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Sufis Without Borders An online semi-private discussion group loosely moderated by Dr. Godlas and a moderating committee; currently over 1100 international participants from many Sufi orders and perspectives, interested non-Sufis, and scholars.

