The Sufi Path of Annihilation: In the Tradition of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi and Hasan Lutfi Shushud

Description

An exploration of the profound Sufi practice of Itlak Yolu * Examines the three main facets of this practice: zikr or breathing exercises, fasting, and mental suffering * Shares new Sufi parables, the sayings of Sufi master Hasan Lutfi Shushud, and Rumi's philosophy on annihilation of the Self * Reveals how once the Self is annihilated higher levels of perception are reached In this exploration of the profound spiritual practice of Itlak Yolu, the Sufi path of annihilation, Nevit Ergin examines the three main facets of this path: zikr or breathing exercises, fasting, and mental suffering. Sharing experiences and discussions with Hasan Lutfi Shushud, renowned Sufi saint and final guide of Gurdjieff's disciple J. G. Bennett, the author illustrates how suffering--"the searing fire of contrition"--is the most effective instrument of spiritual progress, for it is suffering that burns the Self. He explains how faithful practice of zikr and fasting will bring on this kind of suffering when the student is ready and will make the suffering tolerable. He shows how once the Self is annihilated higher levels of perception take hold and one finds oneself on the path to sainthood and immortality. Interwoven throughout with sayings by Shushud, Sufi parables, and poems by Rumi, Ergin shares the unique Itlak perspective on the major questions of every seeker: the true nature of love and religion, life and death, and other major spiritual questions. The book also includes an essay on annihilation and absence in Rumi's philosophy and biographical portraits of Hasan Lufti Shushud by other aspirants who met with him.

Nevit O. Ergin is the English translator of the complete Divan-i Kebir--all 44,829 verses of Rumi's opus. He is the author of Tales of a Modern Sufi and coauthor, with Will Johnson, of The Forbidden Rumi and The Rubais of Rumi. A Turkish-born surgeon, Ergin has been an initiate in the Itlak path of Sufism under the tutelage of Sufi master Hasan Lutfi Shushud since 1955. He lives in California.

"This is a powerful text. . . . Nevit Ergin has lived his life on this path. Here is something to read and reread, to study and assimilate." * Coleman Barks, American poet, author of Rumi: The Big Red Book, and professor emeritus at the Univer * "To read The Sufi Path of Annihilation is a tremendous gift--for one discovers the personal spiritual teachings of many true saints of the Sufi path. Originally presented nearly a thousand years ago in Central Asia, these teachings are based upon three simple core practices used up to the present day by all Sufi orders. Once applied, these instructions unfailingly deliver the true goal of all Sufi seekers as well as their teachers--the final recognition of one's highest self, wherein all worldly desires dissolve and the soul merges with the Creator of the Universe. Highly recommended to all seekers." * Shaykh Hakim Chishti, author of The Book of Sufi Healing and director of the Chishti Order of Sufis * "Because of its complexity, Sufi poetry and teachings are difficult to translate. They need a master interpreter to unlock such complexity. Nevit Ergin has brought this language of complexity into graceful familiar teachings, unlocking the treasure box through careful reflection and storytelling, helping us to attain insights into the world of Sufism and be mesmerized by the depth that is veiled behind the magnificent words of the Sufis." * Nahid Angha, Ph.D., author of Principles of Sufism and codirector of the International Association o * "What could possibly be better than a mix of the great Sufi poet Rumi, the extraordinarily profound Sufi teacher Hasan Shushud, and the magical Sufi storyteller Nevit Ergin? This is the real Sufism--not the watered down versions--filled with a direct challenge to our perceptions of reality, brimming with hope for our ability to meet that challenge." * Will Johnson, author of The Spiritual Practices of Rumi and Rumi's Four Essential Practices * "Nevit O. Ergin mingles his cryptic contemporary Sufi short stories with sayings of master Hasan Lutfi Shushud and the immortal verses of Rumi to reveal the barest essence of the Itlak Sufi path." * Mac Graham, Whole Life Times, June 2014 *