«The Reality gave existence to the whole Cosmos [at first] as an undifferentiated thing without anything of the spirit in it, so that it was like an unpolished mirror» — el capítulo I describe el Cosmos primero como cosa indiferenciada sin espíritu, a modo de espejo sin pulir; los corchetes son del traductor.
Sufismo
What does this tradition say about experience, knowledge and transformation? We approach these questions with consciousness as our centre, listening to the language of each source.
Gonzalo Olivares Velázquez · Spiritus Mundi
1 · Listen to the sources
How these passages were chosen: from the works assigned to this tradition, in alphabetical order, the first passage of each whose quoted words name consciousness, awareness, soul, spirit or knowledge (in English or Spanish); one per work, up to four. The choice is by vocabulary only: a passage may agree with our reading, disagree with it, or leave the question open.
«And welcome, francolin! Since once you heard And answered God’s first all-commanding word, Since love has spoken in your soul, reject The Self, that whirlpool where our lives are wrecked;» — la salutación al francolín, en que el Yo aparece como remolino donde naufragan las vidas.
«Such is your request. But in making it you have assayed to climb an arduous ascent, so high that the height thereof cannot be so much as gauged by mortal eyes [p. 3]. You have knocked at a locked door which is only opened to those who know and “are established in knowledge.”» — el tratado califica el encargo de ascenso arduo y de puerta cerrada que solo se abre a los que saben y están establecidos en el conocimiento.
«We said: From time to time it occurred to me that I should place at the very beginning of this book a chapter concerning (theological) creeds, supported by definitive arguments and salient proofs. But then I realized that that would distract the person who is properly prepared and seeking an increase (in spiritual knowledge), who is receptive to the fragrant breadis of (divine) Bounty through the secrets of being.» — Ibn al-Arabi explica, en el pasaje de su Introducción a las Futuhat que Morris traduce, por qué desechó abrir el libro con un capítulo de credos probados: distraería a quien viene preparado y receptivo; la capa de texto imprime *breadis* por *breaths*
2 · Ask what each source declares
Who knows, and what is transformed? Is the relationship between inner experience and the world declared, disputed, or left open? Let the passage determine the answer before bringing it into dialogue with our reading.
Explore documented argument maps →3 · Return to the centre
For us, these paths meet in consciousness. Which passage converses with that reading, and which qualifies or contradicts it? Save it with your own note.
Read the position of the house →Open your notebook →