On Becoming

The master of the Nimatullahi Order, Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh, constantly reiterates that the experience of Sufism is totally beyond words:

"Sufism is a school of spiritual states, not discourse, and a sufi is something to become, not something to merely read about. Since spiritual states cannot be expressed in words, sufi shaikhs [teachers] have declared, 'Whatever can be expressed in words is not Sufism'" (Nurbakhsh, The Path p. 29).

Often the response to such definitions is: 'If the Truth is beyond words...Then why all the discourses and books? Why are the sufi masters some of the most prolific writers and poets?'

As Rumi explains in his discourses, he himself has a disdain for poetry: "I care nothing for poetry, and there is nothing worse in my eyes than that. It has become incumbent upon me."

He continues: "Where are the people of action and the seekers of action, so that I may show them action? Now you seek after words, and have cocked your ears to hear something. If I do not speak, you become upset. Become a seeker of action, so that I may show you action!" (Arberry, Discourses of Rumi pp. 85-86).

Ya Haqq (Oh Truth!)