Enlightenment

This talk is a recording from an intimate setting hosted at Enlightenext centre in London. Shaykh Fadhlallah presents a personal account of his experience and understanding of what the Sufi Path reflecting over several key tenants revolving around fundamental questions and paradoxes of human life. The discourse begins with examining the possibility of whether there is an optimum way to live, utilizing this question the speaker presents a model that begins and emphasizes the reality of a map of creation which can be used to live a life of fulfilment, equanimity and ease. The speaker uses this description as a point of departure to interconnect his key reflections revolving around application of the map, connecting with the evolutionary process in which the traveler on the path navigates as they align with the natural drive to rise in consciousness and the various challenges and vista’s that emerge both in the social and experiential dynamics of living the fullness of human reality. He draws from the Abrahamic, Sufi, and Muhammad traditions in presenting the various levels and arenas in which the traveler might discover and arrive in their navigation of the path. The emphasis is placed on the need for a lived experience of truth. Moreover, it is not only about walking along the road, but arriving at ‘The City’. This and several other key metaphors are regularly referenced as indications to the nature of the path and warnings of the multitudes of pitfalls the seeker encounters. The nature of harmony and balance, interplay between the relative and the absolute, the Sufi sketch of higher and lower self and the nature of the authentic self, ultimately the core issue of what the path is all about are key descriptions presented in this talk. The speaker concludes by directing and unravelling essential aspects of the experiential foundation of discovering and living by the essence of life. Excerpts of importance: ‘If you are to give a talk on this issue of Oneness, I think you can sum it up by repeating “one, two; one, two; One!” From the One comes the two, and two seek to reproduce one; and that one is looking for its origin in duality, only to realize that the entire thing emanated from ‘The One’. lā ʾilāha ʾillā llāh: there is none other than One.’ ‘Without denying relative existence, you must come to understand your authentic self through honesty, good conduct, trust, love, and faith. ‘Authenticity’ can variously be imagined as the Soul, the higher self, or God’s light within you. Once you grasp that such a sacred reference point exists within you, then talk of a map is no longer necessary. In fact, the map is no longer necessary, because it becomes just another kind of false security. The key question remains, “Are you in The City?” And then, “Have you discovered that there is actually neither you nor City?” The entire Light, which is beyond both known and unknown, is in you already. That is truly awesome. That is why one has to move with good conduct, with authenticity and genuine honesty, according to who you are. Here is the basis of arrival.’