"A small insignificant sufi student" Is this a code?
How many times have you seen this? It sounds like the complimentary closing of a letter and may feel like a statement of humility but appears at the end of many answers in R&S. Is the operative part of this statement "sufi student," and it actually functions as an identifier? I attempted some time ago to ask this question privately and I was rebuffed with no satisfactory answer. I have no wish to offend, so please forgive my continuing ignorance and sincere curiosity. I have been to Turkey, deeply admire the poems of Rumi, and know someone who spoke very highly of his meeting with Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan. I am lead to this speculation by considering what is the nature of "humility" that must repeatedly shouted as if from rooftops? If this is not actually a sincere statement or wishful thinking then it is only so much rhetoric and the operative part becomes "sufi student." It then appears to be a signal that may say, "consider this answer (or question) above all others. As such it then becomes a statement to encourage preferential treatment and bias. I find this a sad suggestion considering my predisposition to admire Sufism. Humility may be the most difficult of virtues. In his "Autobiography" Benjamin Franklin said that just when he began to conquer "Humility" he found that he was proud of his humility. But I think that there may be a place for Divine Pride. If this was a statement of pride alone I would be quite understanding to see "I am a sufi student" at the end of each answer. It may also serve as an identifier but at least then there would be no hypocritical apologies. Sadly, it seems those who may have the best insight have choosen not to answer either publicly or privately. Can they claim that they have simply not seen the question? I will report back. Sweet Loraine, I recall something about creation and after so many days God took a look and saw that what he had created was "good." Certainly that is a clear example of "Divine Pride." Can you say that it is "ego" based? Something has to give. I thought someone might take up the idea that this is "wishful thinking," for a defense. It is difficult to say that giving any sort of opinion is humility in it's purist form. Sometimes the need to say or do outweighs the benefits of silence, but how can you in the same breath speak as if humility were the root of your actions and not be actively hypocritical?
Religion & Spirituality - 4 Answers
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1 :
i am interested to see the responses to your question...humility has been difficult for me to comprehend completely. Thanks for asking on my behalf, too. i thought your question was well posed. Perhaps we are all insignifcant, and we are certainly all students to one degree or another. i do know that i have had to eat humble pie a time or two in my life...what else is new? i am Sirius
2 :
I don't personally see the necessity of saying it. It does seem like, it can become a thing which is almost supposed to convince others that they are "humble." Or maybe in this world where everything is so taken by themselves, having a few people call themselves insignificant, is a fresh of breath air. Because, if it is genuine and they see their own smallness, then it means they have come to a good place in life. Because it is only when one sees pass their self-delusions and sees themselves naked, completely sincere -- all their flaws, defects, scars can this one begin to develop. Sincerity with oneself can only come by through humility.
3 :
I think even 'Divine pride' is ego based, but I can understand where old Ben was coming from. Why are you offended by how another might choose to identify himself? sufi student lol just kidding
4 :
It is said (and I paraphrase): If the oceans were ink and the words of Allah were written upon the sky, using this ink, a mere fraction of the greater meaning of God could be written. Even a Sufi master holds only a lake of knowledge that is made relevant through sharing of this knowledge with followers. I believe it is proper to acknowledge how limited ones knowledge is, until God inside is known (enlightenment). On humility. Any thoughts of greatness through perceived action takes away from the creative result of an expression. If an expression, work of art, or written effort is truly creative; then it is given freely from the heart and will touch the heart of another without pause and without thought of the creator. Only then is it a message from one person to another a true communication; one given only in the context of love. It prompts an expression of love from the recipient without desire. Desire on the creators part, removes creativity and ask for submission of one person to another. True humility comes from humbleness, yet is the most dominate powerful force on earth. It takes great courage to wield such power and many who gain the sense of it choose to own. That choice alone will bring their destruction and the destruction of others. In Christianity, it is referred to by the phrase "the meek shall inherit the earth". It does mean weak by any means. It means that a meek person has the courage to accept what is and not use others in desire. It prepares a person for a chance to connect with power beyond description. People fear that which has no fear, for they have traveled through the valley of death and survived the dark night of the soul. Humility is part of this preparation. Find the center of your mind and know what I am speaking of. The terror exists in all of us, expect those who have survived. Without being meek, you will not make it. Humility, humbleness and courage are demanded. It is smart to tread carefully in matters of the spirit. It is smart to remind the self what is at stake in every spiritual assertion until you know. No I do not believe it is a code. It is a reminder... Until you know for sure.
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