What is mysticism? A word, a concept, and a faith in itself, mysticism dates back centuries to the beginning of time. One can never fully understand mysticism as it varies from person to person, and changes from time to time. Is it the mysteries of the world? Is it the reality of life? Or is it a connection with a higher power? Maybe it is a way of life, a path very different from what an average human being usually follows.
Mystic values have long been a part of our society – a spiritual intuition that transcends human knowledge and belief. Mysticism over time has evolved, looking into the ways of life, enhancing empathy, love for humanity and God, and harmony in the world.
Jalal al-Din Rumi is one of the most famous mystic scholars to have ever lived. Known as a God in the domain of love, his work and influence transcend borders and ethnic divisions. He is known for his spiritual legacy and transformation through love. Bulleh Shah or Syed Abdullah Shah Qadri was a Punjabi philosopher and poet, known for his folk tales of love. Then there is Nizamuddin Auliya, a mystic scholar of the Chishti order. His work focuses on realizing God through love, and for him to love God is to love humanity. Guru Nanak is another scholar who is widely followed. He was one of the first of the ten Sikhs; he is also considered the founder of Sikhism. His teachings revolved around the message of “Ek Onkar” (one supreme reality) through which he taught equality, fraternal love, goodness, and virtue. Rajneesh or Bhagwan Shri Rajneesh ‘Osho’ another scholar stressed the significance of meditation, mindfulness, love, celebration, courage, creativity, and humor. What is common among these scholars of mysticism is love.
Love that is true and pure, not one that is dominated by materialism and affectionate words. Love reflects empathy; love brings harmony; love ends all the divisions in the universe, and brings people together. Love that is felt within and then given rather than love that seeks validation.
The concept of mysticism has been materialized to an extent that now people use it for validation. As most notably written in the book, The Forty Rules Of Love, “Our religion is the religion of love. And we are all connected in a chain of hearts. If and when one of the links is broken, another one is added elsewhere. For every Shams of Tabriz who has passed away- there will emerge a new one in a different age, under a different name. Names change, they come and go, but the essence remains the same”.
What I take from all this is that love is embedded in mysticism and every mystic scholar one way or another talks about love. To restore the essence of mysticism we must all go back to the basics of love and embrace it wholeheartedly.
