Wisdom
In his epic poem "The Conference of the Birds," Attar describes the soul's journey to God as a quest undertaken by birds seeking their king.
Thirty birds embark on a perilous journey through seven valleys:
1. Quest (seeking)
2. Love (falling in love with the divine)
3. Understanding (gnosis)
4. Independence (detachment)
5. Unity (oneness)
6. Bewilderment (divine mystery)
7. Poverty (spiritual annihilation)
Only thirty birds begin the journey; only one reaches the destination - the soul that has become nothing.
Key Insight
"The path to God requires complete surrender of the self."
Related Teachings
Rumi: The Soul's Journey
Wisdom"The wound is the place where the Light enters you."
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Hafiz: Divine Playfulness
Wisdom"I have learned so much from God that I can no longer call myself a Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Jew."
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The Nature of Divine Love
Core ConceptsIn Sufi understanding, divine love (ishq) is the highest form of spiritual attainment. It is not mere emotion, but a transformative force that annihilates the ego and unites the soul with God.
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