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Sufi Meditation - Walking for Transformation
Anita Burns
The kinds of meditation westerners usually think of is either guided meditation, or Zen meditation, where the sitter is quiet and either follows an imagery guidance from a speaker or goes within and attempts to quiet the mind of all thought. The Sufi’s, however, prefer a more active meditation, one that participates in the sheer joy of living. It is alive and, very much like Native American paths, prefers to connect in a higher way and unify rather than separate.


Susufi dancerfi meditation, like all meditation, has a goal to control our wandering, monkey-like mind and to empower it with single-minded focus. This brings our thoughts and feelings under our control instead of being pulled willy-nilly by our thoughts and feelings. Like Zen, Sufi meditation is one of awareness. Unlike Zen, that awareness comes from action rather than inaction.


Sufism, itself is a complex spirituality, full of paradoxes and contrasts. It’s aim is self-realization, which is described by Sufi sages as becoming fully alive and a complete human being. They teach mainly from stories, usually filled with humor, and poetry, like the profound writings of Rumi.


Sufism, means wisdom and was the name given to a collection of mystical practices about 1700 years ago. Although this is debatable. Some Sufis believe that Mohammed first formed Sufism, then it was later formulated into Islam. Sufism is not a religion per se. It is a spiritual way. As with any organized path or religion, there are sects, some strict with rules and regulations, others open and freely practiced as a mystical path. But all have a goal of divine unity.


Some Sufis use silent meditation, but most use active, walking, dancing, music, poetry, and dreamwork for their transformative tools.


Persian Poet and Mystic, Rumi wrote: (Barks translation, 1990, p. 113):
The inner being of a human being is a jungle.
Sometimes wolves dominate, sometimes wild hogs.
Be wary when you breathe!
At one moment gentle, generous qualities,
Like Joseph's pass from one nature to another.
The next moment vicious qualities move in hidden ways.
A bear begins to dance.
A goat kneels!

A Sufi active meditation, like the walking meditation is for recovering our wild self so that we may discover our relationship with nature outside of us. Then to discover that nature and we are one, and through that oneness to discover that the divine and we are one.

Mahmud Shabistari, a 13th century Persian wrote in The Secret
Rose Garden:
Look around you!
This world is tremendously mingled:
Angels, devils, Satan, Michael--all mixed up like seed and fruit!
Atheist with fundamentalist, materialist with mystic.
All cycles and seasons, years, months, and days
converge at the dot of now:
“In the beginning” is “world without end.”

In common with many other Eastern developed practices, breathing is considered to be a link between our human and our divine selves. Breathing brings awareness, and controlling the breath brings a mastery over our lower natures and dispels ignorance. Sufi breathing includes breathing patterns for the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Breathing, is usually accompanied by movement. This is nowhere more beautifully witnessed than in the dervish dances, sometimes called the Whirling Dervishes.

Sufi Meditation also works with the power of sound. Chanting, singing, or simply making spontaneous noises are to invoke higher qualities like compassion, joy, mercy, and to bring out and dissolve shadow qualities like confusion, shame, embarrassment, envy, and the like.

WALKING
Walking meditations, developed during the medieval period in the middle east, are a combination of the major Sufi practices--movement, breathing, and sound, all brought to a single-pointed focus.

The first step, so simply put by the Sufi order, Naqshibandi, “Look down and see whose feet are those that walk.” As you are walking, look at your feet. Pay attention to the feel of walking, the sight of your feet and legs walking, the rhythm, and balance of walking.

After a while, change the pace, length of stride, placement of the feet. Walk forcefully, playfully, peacefully, and so forth. Pay attention to how that feels, not only physically, but also emotionally and mentally.

The second step, is to combine breathing. Concentrate on breathing in rhythm with your walking. Breathe in the elements - think air, then with the next breath, fire, then water, then earth. Experience how you feel.

Walk, experiencing only you and nature. After a while intersperse with your walk, jumping, shouting, spinning around, laughing, crying aloud, growling, and whooping. What ever sounds come to your throat; whatever dance comes to your body.

Lastly, quiet your walk again for a while. Then stand still and let the newness wash through you as you integrate.

La ilah ah el allahu - There is no God but God

 

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