Post by Amin on Jun 10, 2015 13:34:32 GMT
Dear Friends,
السلام عليكم
My name is Amin and I am a Muslim and faqir living in Southern California with my wife and young daughter where I work in the field of mental health services. In my younger years I explored many psuedo-religions and initiatic organizations, world religions, and eastern and western philosophies in my quest for truth. Following much soul searching, introspective struggle, and a providential encounter with a young Muslim in Varanasi, India, I was exposed to the life and teachings of our master Muhammad, upon whom be peace and blessings. This encounter was the culmination and crowning achievement of many years of persistent searching. My breast swelled with love and recognition and my tears overflowed as the words of God's final prophet spoke to me across the centuries. I embraced Islam shortly thereafter in the last months of 2006. The following year, I was initiated into a contemporary branch of the Shadhiliyyah Order.
Recently, I have felt compelled to explore my Shadhili heritage in greater depth and to draw upon the strength and wisdom of the venerable masters of our tradition - may God be pleased with them. The more I explored their lives, teachings, and influences, the more evident it became to me that although the turuq are diverse, they are but many branches of one single tree of Tasawwuf like tributaries carrying and illuminated by the primordial light of the Muhammadan Reality.
My intention in creating this forum is to help foster communication between fuqara from other Orders and lineages as well as other Muslims who have an interest in or inclination toward Sufism. Insha'Allah, I look forward to corresponding with you, learning from you, and exploring this vast and multifaceted heritage.
في أمان الله
Amin