Tasawwuf: Metaphysics - Murshid Sam's Living Stream

Tasawwuf: Metaphysics—Gatha with Commentary Series I
GATHA: There is no doubt that patience often seems a crucifixion, but one must remember the resurrection
is always reached through crucifixion. Patience often seems like the effacement of self, and
it is true that it is self-effacement, and yet nothing is lost, for by this practice of control a far greater
power is attained.
TASAWWUF: We have before us all the power and wisdom of the universe once the ego is subverted.
Jesus has said, “To him that hath will be given and from him who hath not shall be taken away
even that which he hath.” This refers to a all the ego-accumulations. They belong to time and samskara,
not to reality. This does not mean that anything need be lost; it is only that the self, the ego,
must be controlled and when the ego is controlled one becomes like the Dervishes who, in a sense,
are the emperors of the world.
GATHA: The Persian poets have called patience death; doubtless it is to all appearances death, for it
causes activity to cease, but in reality it is a greater life.
TASAWWUF: Spiritual activity is self-sustaining, self-renewing. There is what the Hindus call
“niskama” karma, which is activity without ego-self, without desire. This kind of activity is actually
more effective than ego-activity which depends upon the faculties of the limited personality.
The Gita also teaches that there are forms of activity which are really non-action and forms of nonactivity
which are really actions. But to accept this blindly and negatively as philosophy is useless. It
can even be harmful as it increases delusion. It is only when one is aware of the loss of ego-self and
dependence on God that this lesson is learned.
Copyright Sufi Ruhaniat International 1978
These materials are given for individual study by mureeds
and are not intended to be shared outside the circle except by permission.
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