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Subject: Re: Sufi Ideal/Ideal Sufi
To: tariqas@world.std.com
Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 10:46:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: "tyagi@arkaotika.abyss.com" <yronwode@sonic.net>
In-Reply-To: <2c7cc73c.245e74b2@aol.com> from "Hafizullah@aol.com" at "May 2, 99 11:40:34 pm"
From: tyagi@arkaotika.abyss.com (haramullah)
Orientation: Arkaotika, Ville of the Forest, Kali Fornika, US -- Kali Yuga
Organization: http://www.abyss.com/tokus
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IIIom 49990503

assalam alaykum, my kin.

elmas@bigfoot.com (Robert Ellerton Masters):
# ...What (in your opinion) is the Sufi Ideal?

becoming the perfect instrument of the divine.

# Who (in your opinion) is the The Ideal Sufi ?

the ideal is not a 'who' but instead a fiction. like the 'sage'
of China and the 'bodhisattva' of India, these are descriptions
of the ultimate refinement of the individual through mystical
and religious instruction and practice.

this ideal cannot be described in terms of behavior (because
hir behavior differs depending on the circumstance and those
with whom she interacts), but instead in terms of ability or
capacity. 

spiritual development is not some alien or transphysical
mutation into a cosmic superhero. it is the development of
all human qualities to their maximum flexibility and
potential. thus the ideal spiritual adept is *capable* of
being supremely compassionate, stern, playful, lazy,
impatient, angry, and the rest of the range of human
emotion and experience.

too often we ascribe limitations to the spiritually mature
where they should not be applied: the sage cannot get upset,
the bodhisattva never becomes impatient, the sufi is never
sorrowful, etc., but these are merely our projections based
on what we like to experience in others (we don't like to
disappoint, cause upset, challenge the patience or temper,
etc.). the actuality is that the adept is simply not SUBJECT
to these experiences so much as she has an intentional 
impact upon hir mood and behavior (increased range of choice 
and flexibility). 

the motivating principle of the spirit-filled is an intuitive,
compassion-centered and wise fount of inspiration, and this
may lead hir to any number of behaviors attuned to the people
with whom she may interact or the circumstances in which she 
may dwell

# 200 word replies  max please...............  *smile* !

~280 for both, averaging 140 per question, well under your
requested maximum. :>

peace be with you,

haramullah
 tyagi@arkaotika.abyss.com