What is Sufism?

Sufism is a mystical path dedicated to cultivating love, serving others, and experiencing a profound sense of oneness with all existence. At its core, Sufism teaches that one can transcend the ego to discover their true nature as part of a single divine reality. Through practices such as silent meditation, remembrance of the Divine and selfless service, Sufis embark on a journey of spiritual transformation—becoming more compassionate beings and ultimately attaining a state of unity.

A Sufi is a seeker of Truth who, through love and devotion, moves toward spiritual perfection. To walk this path, one must first harmonize inner impulses that are in conflict with their divine nature, transmuting desires and fears into a higher state of being. The way of spiritual harmony consists of spiritual poverty, devotion, service to others, and continuous, selfless remembrance of the Truth.

Sufism is not merely a philosophy or a subject of intellectual discourse—it is a lived experience. A Sufi is not defined by words but by being. As Sufis in the past have proclaimed:

“Whatever can be expressed in words is not Sufism.”

Sufi Meditation

Sufi meditation, like all forms of meditation, is a practice of mindfulness with origins dating back centuries, possibly to the Far East. In Sufism, the invocation of God’s name (zekr) closely parallels meditative mindfulness, serving as a means of spiritual purification. Through conscious breathing and remembrance, the practitioner seeks to transcend the ego and cultivate a deeper awareness of the divine attributes.

However, as many Sufi masters have observed, the initial stages of meditation involve an inherent duality—there remains a distinction between the one who remembers and the One being remembered. The ultimate aim of Sufism, however, is to transcend this duality and attain a state of Oneness, where only the remembered remains, dissolving the self into the divine presence.“Whatever can be expressed in words is not Sufism.”

Experience a meditation session
twice weekly,  every week.

Sufis are encouraged to attend group meditation sessions at their local khaniqah (Sufi center) twice a week. These gatherings serve as reminders of their spiritual commitments while fostering love and compassion among members. Additionally, meditating in a group setting often proves more effective than practicing alone at home.