Mehr Licht
Ave Sophia
I have some questions and I predict that debates may break out when people answer them so I thought I would put them here to be safe and to allow people of all religions to chime in. Anytime you ask about the Real ____ (insert name of religion) debates usually start. I don't have the answers myself so I'm not looking to debate but I would like to see others discuss these questions.
I've been reading the Gulshan-i raz or Garden of Mystery by the Sufi poet Mahmud Shabistari. It has to be one of the most beautiful and enlightening texts I've ever read. It really makes my heart ache and sing at various points just reading it.
Are his teachings authentically Muslim though and do they bear any resemblance to the actual teachings of Muhammad? Much of it seems like poetic adaptations of Hellenic mysticism and philosophy (especially Neo-Platonism with a good dose of Hermeticism) and Indian thought (both Hindu and Buddhist). Don't get me wrong he often quotes the Quran as well as Hadith but is he doing that to give authority to foreign doctrines brought in or is he actually teaching the batin or esoteric meaning of the Quran that is hidden to the non-mystic and just using older terminology and symbolism to better elaborate on it like many of the Greek Church Fathers did ?
If his Islam is a misunderstanding (or even a purposeful misrepresentation intending to sneak in older esoteric teachings) then I think misunderstood Islam may be one of the most perfect religions out there. If it isn't than Islam is pretty awesome for having produced such an enlightened soul. I just wish I could take a ride in a time machine and ask him these questions personally. What I wouldn't give to talk to someone like this.
I can't seem to answer the question myself and could use some help.
I'll post some quotes from it later too.
I've been reading the Gulshan-i raz or Garden of Mystery by the Sufi poet Mahmud Shabistari. It has to be one of the most beautiful and enlightening texts I've ever read. It really makes my heart ache and sing at various points just reading it.
Are his teachings authentically Muslim though and do they bear any resemblance to the actual teachings of Muhammad? Much of it seems like poetic adaptations of Hellenic mysticism and philosophy (especially Neo-Platonism with a good dose of Hermeticism) and Indian thought (both Hindu and Buddhist). Don't get me wrong he often quotes the Quran as well as Hadith but is he doing that to give authority to foreign doctrines brought in or is he actually teaching the batin or esoteric meaning of the Quran that is hidden to the non-mystic and just using older terminology and symbolism to better elaborate on it like many of the Greek Church Fathers did ?
If his Islam is a misunderstanding (or even a purposeful misrepresentation intending to sneak in older esoteric teachings) then I think misunderstood Islam may be one of the most perfect religions out there. If it isn't than Islam is pretty awesome for having produced such an enlightened soul. I just wish I could take a ride in a time machine and ask him these questions personally. What I wouldn't give to talk to someone like this.
I can't seem to answer the question myself and could use some help.
I'll post some quotes from it later too.