Sufism is not a religion or a philosophy, it is neither deism nor atheism, nor is it a moral, nor a special kind of mysticism, being free from the usual religious sectarianism. If ever it could be called a religion, it would only be as a religion of love, harmony, and beauty.
Interpretation
Sufism transcends conventional labels of religion and philosophy, focusing instead on love, harmony, and beauty.
In this quote, Hazrat Inayat Khan emphasizes that Sufism should not be confined to traditional definitions of religion or philosophy. Instead, it embodies a profound experience of love, harmony, and beauty that transcends sectarian divisions and moralistic frameworks, suggesting that its essence is spiritual and universal rather than dogmatic or doctrinal.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of compassion, one might use this quote to underline the spiritual essence of love.
I had composed songs, I sang, and played the vina. Practising this music I arrived at a stage where I touched the music of the spheres. Then every soul became a musical note, and all life became music. Inspired by it I spoke to the people, and those who were attracted by my words listened to them instead of listening to my songs.
Some people look for a beautiful place, others make a place beautiful.
What science cannot declare, art can suggest; what art suggests silently, poetry speaks aloud; but what poetry fails to explain in words, music can express. _x000D_ Whoever knows the mystery of vibrations indeed knows all things.
Atmosphere is a silent music. It has its effect upon the listener, exciting or peaceful, whatever it may be.
What makes us feel drawn to music is that our whole being is music: our mind and body, the nature in which we live, the nature which has made us, all that is beneath and around us, it is all music.
Belief and disbelief have divided humankind into so many sects, blinding its eyes to the vision of the Oneness of all Life.
The people recognize themselves in their commodities; they find their soul in their automobile, hi-fi set, split-level home, kitchen equipment.
Miracles can happen when we can keep our consciousness away from analyzing and classifying one another.
The death of a 20-year-old woman is intuitively worse than that of a 2-month-old girl, even though the baby has had less life. The 20-year-old has a much more developed personality than the infant, and has drawn upon the investment of others to begin as-yet-unfulfilled projects.
One should always play fairly when one has the winning cards.
The Faith does not mean an alienation from any culture for any people because all cultures await Christ and are not destroyed by the Lord. In fact, they reach their maturity.
We have a tendency to make assumptions about everything! The problem with making assumptions is that we believe they are truth. We could swear they are real. We make assumptions about what others are doing or thinking-we take it personally-then we blame them and react by sending emotional poison in our word. That is why whenever we make assumptions, we're asking for problems. We make assumptions, we misunderstand, we take it personally, and we end up creating a whole big drama for nothing.
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