3 Sufi practices to calm your mind

If we talk about hundreds of years ago, when people used to feel the pressure of workload, or if the changes in relationships could affect people like they do today? Healthy lifestyle, burnout, and healing are today's concepts; have people used them in the past? If yes, how and what did they do? Was Sufism the lifestyle to make one's soul 'pure', used as a tool? Is it applicable even today when everyone is in a rush, managing personal and professional life together?    

Human minds go through a whirlwind of emotions. They are characterised by different patterns of feelings, such as love, anger, hatred, anxiety, etc. Whatever the mental condition, peace can be attained through spiritual reflection and closeness to the Almighty.

To facilitate this process, there are various Sufi practices to soothe a tense soul and bring calmness of mind.

Notable Sufi practices are: Muraqaba (meditation or concentration), Sama (spiritual poetry), and Sohbet (spiritual discussion). These methods have been validated among peace-seekers for centuries. Let us delve into a brief discussion on how to attain serenity of mind.

Muraqaba

It derives from the Arabic root word meaning 'to watch' or 'to observe.' This refers to the practice of silent contemplation through meditation to clear the mind of worldly distractions.

The method of Muraqaba is firmly rooted in the Islamic concept of Ihsan- worshipping God, knowing that he is the omnipotent and observer of the universe.

Muraqaba reflects a stark parallel to the meditations of Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) in the cave of Hira, before the holy prophet received revelations from Allah (Swt). Over time, Muraqaba evolved into a systematic practice under the efforts of early Sufi masters such as Al Ghazali and Ibn Arabi. The famous poet Rumi, from the Sufi tradition, quoted two lines: " When the soul begins to remember where it truly belongs, the noise of the world slowly fades into silence."

To practice Muraqaba, a person should select a calm place, sit down, take a deep breathe, and try to feel the inner light, which is overshadowed by the darkness of the world.

They can chant the holy words like 'Al - Wadud' (the loving), or any divine attribute of the Almighty. Not only the Muslims, but also people of other faiths can practice Muraqaba, as the concept of Muraqaba is universal- focusing on heartbeat, contemplating universal love and calmness of mind.

After waking up in the morning, anyone can dive into deep focus, which will ensure the rest of their day is productive and spiritual.

The practice of Muraqaba reduces aggression and enables a person to forgive any grudges. It also facilitates gaining control over emotions.

Sama

After Muraqaba comes Sama, another Sufi practice to amuse the mind; the word typically means 'to listen,' and this process gives a person access to experience God's beauty (Jamal) through art, music, and harmony.

Sama is a spiritual auditory practice that uses mystical music, rhythmic verses of poems, and whirling (synchronised physical movement) to induce mental ecstasy and can be practised as a substitute for Muraqaba, as some human minds are too agitated to sit silently.

The origin of Sama dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, particularly in Anatolia, present-day Turkey.

The genre of Qawwali songs is a notable example of Sufi music today. Moreover, the Mevlevi (whirling Dervishes) are highly respected Sufi masters. The Mevlevi Sema ceremony is highly regarded, as UNESCO recognises it as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

The founder of the Mevlevi order, Jalaluddin Rumi, the sufi practitioners Amir Khusro, Nizamuddin Auliya, etc., are the notable personalities of Sama.

The practice of Sama can be divided into active and passive methods, with the whirling falling under the former. In this process, the right hand reaches up to receive grace, which the left hand symbolically distributes on earth, and the left foot is turned on one side.

This rhythmic whirling induces deep focus and serves as a catharsis, refreshing the mind. Often performed in groups, the Mevlevi dance strengthens social bonding and serves as a vigorous physical practice to attain closeness to the creator and divine serenity.

In modern life, listening to spiritual music can uplift the mood after a hectic day at work. Moreover, the appreciation of transcendent music and ecstatic dance transcends religion and culture, and regardless of caste, anyone can entertain their mind through the practice of Sama to feel connected to the universe.

Sohbet

The practice of Sohbet underscores the importance of companionship and mindful association in an individual's spiritual development.

Sohbet refers to a spiritual gathering of like-minded people who discuss divinity, compassion, love, and the Oneness of the creator.

The group can discuss or engage in meaningful silence to remove the heaviness of the world from their minds. Many Sufi masters often argue that sohbet is the fastest method for self-improvement, as shared knowledge never goes to waste.

The concept of Sohbet is deeply rooted in the foundation of Islamic learning, as the Sahaba (followers) of Hazat Muhammad (SM) used to give their full attention to meaningful discussions held in the presence of the great prophet.

The modern epidemic, like loneliness, can be addressed through this process, as it helps create meaningful friendships that can shape an individual's morality.

The urge for suitable companionship is a universal need; therefore, people of any religion can practice Sohbet.

This can also be compared to the Hindu concept of Satsang and the Christian concept of fellowship, both of which teach that one gathers honest friends for spiritual reflection.

The human heart works as a mirror, becoming rusty from worldly despair. These Sufi practices may serve as a method to clean the mirror of our soul.

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