In ordinary life, certain forms of understanding become possible because of experience. The human mind is what it is partly because of the impacts to which it has been exposed, and its ability to use those impacts. The interaction between impact a...

In ordinary life, certain forms of understanding become possible because of experience. The human mind is what it is partly because of the impacts to which it has been exposed, and its ability to use those impacts. The interaction between impact and mind determines the quality of the personality. In Sufism, this normal physical and mental process is engaged consciously. Sufis are metaphysically-minded people, especially those who feel that they are comfortable in the domain of mysticism or ‘inner perception’. Sufism is not directed to a section of the community – for no such section exists – but to a certain faculty within individuals. Where this faculty is not activated, there is no Sufism. It contains ‘hard’ as well as ‘soft’ realities, discord as well as harmony, the sharp brightness of awakening as well as the gentle dark of a lulling to sleep. Sufism, in one definition, is human life. It is axiomatic that the attempt to become a Sufi through a desire for personal power will not succeed. Only the search for truth is valid, the desire for wisdom is the motive. Although, no investigation into the reality of Sufism can be made entirely from the outside because Sufism includes participation, training, and experience. The Sufis often start from a non-religious viewpoint. The answer, they say, is within the mind of mankind. It has to be liberated so that by self-knowledge, intuition becomes the guide to human fulfillment.