Thanks. Over the web, it’s hard to tell sometimes why people ask questions about politics or religion. I took down my blog last year – EverydaySufi; partly because it took too much time away from my business and family and partly because I was getting people wanting to debate religions. So perhaps I’m a bit shell-shocked from that experience.

Thank you for understanding. And I’m always open to a dialogue about Sufism.

And don’t worry, I’m not desiring to get into a debate. I was genuinely interested in what you meant when you said “spirituality”.

Very good question, very complex answer. And a topic that I could in no way fully express in the simple space of a comment on a blog. Doing so would likely create far more questions than answers.

I can tell you that I look at spirituality as the unfolding, or unveiling, of the truest depths of our being. Not in some new age, or trite way. But rather in the deepest teachings, and knowledge handed down to us through the Prophets.

After a long and exhaustive search, I found my path in Sufism. Sufism is a very complex thing to understand and if often misunderstood by westerners. It took me years to overcome my preconceptions to find it’s essence. Yet at its essence is that through study, practice, good action and the highest morality, one can “be opened” to direct experience of God. This is innate in all of us. Really, it’s a birth right.

So for me, spirituality is the process of unveiling the truth of our existence, breathing it into the world and embodying this truth in our daily lives – our families, our work , our worship.

What it doesn’t mean is conversion. I have no concern about ‘creating more Sufis.’ Instead, I have great interest in brining love, peace, mercy and kindess to the world. I can’t do that through making diffences with people. I’ve never understood how someone could say they love you but their actions speak otherwise. Sufism is about living these qualities.

This is getting long. I would guess my comments would raise many questions – and perhaps even debates. Just know I’m not interested in debating religious or spiritual beliefs. I trust that everyone is led to the place they need for surely God knows and I know not.

Though if you’d like to dialogue further about similarities and how our beliefs can bring more love and kindess to the world, I’m game.

Thank you for asking this question. I pray that something of an answer is helpful.

Like I’ve already said, I really enjoyed this interview.
I was wondering if you could elaborate on “spirituality” though?

Thanks. This was fun.

Char,

Thanks very much. And thank you for asking me to be a part of your Essential Tools. I’ll have answers to you shortly.

That was an interesting read.

It makes me happy to hear she’s a nut and not a fruit.