Nimatullahi Sufi Order
The Nimatullahi Sufi Order is a spiritual tradition dedicated to the unity of all beings and the selfless service of humanity through love and devotion.
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Sufi poetry is distinguished not only by its rich tapestry of metaphors and imagery but also by its inherent ineffability. This ineffability stems from the reader's capacity to perceive the poem beyond the literal meaning of its words or any rational interpretation. At its core, Sufi poetry seeks to evoke an experience of divine beauty within the material world. The beloved, though transcendent and beyond the grasp of human senses and intellect, becomes tangible when expressed through human form.
In Sufi poetry, particularly in the works of Rumi and Hafez, the use of seemingly ecstatic symbols like wine, drunkenness, and taverns evoke the feeling of intoxication. While at first glance, these terms may suggest hedonism and chaos, they actually represent a deeper spiritual journey.
Sufism emphasizes the experience of divine love, which can induce a state of selflessness akin to drunkenness. But only in experiencing divine love, the individual transcends their ego and experiences a profound connection to something greater.“Whatever can be expressed in words is not Sufism.”
The cupbearer or saki signifies the spiritual beloved as well as the master of the path of love who pours out the wine of love to his lovers.
The wine-seller signifies the beloved in her capacity as the spiritual guide who gives the wine of selflessness to her lovers in exchange for their commitments to the path of love.
The wine signifies the state of spiritual awareness in the lover which is caused by remembrance of the beloved and ultimately this awareness results in the lover’s intoxication and the state of love of all beings.
Curls refers to manifestation of the divine beauty in one’s beloved which causes the lover to be mesmerised and distracted. Sometimes the experience of the beloved’s beauty blocks the lover’s endeavours to become one with his beloved.
The eye signifies the all-encompassing vision of the beloved which dazzles the lover thereby making him surrender to the beloved unconditionally.
The eyebrow stands for the divine beauty as well as serves as a symbol to communicate divine expressions directing the sufi's attention towards unity.
The hand represents the power of the beloved to make the lover lose all awareness of self and the world.
by Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh
From beginning to end, this collection of Sufi poetry is uncompromisingly direct and lucid. Master of the Nimatullahi Sufi order for over fifty years, poet and psychiatrist Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh knew the twists and turns of the psyche and the soul, and the way of love. His message here is clear, stark, and beautiful.
