If existence can create such perfection, with balance and harmony, then surely we do not need to look far to find the same perfection, balance, peace and stability.
Sufism teaches that the solution to peace is in discovering the stable truth which is inherent in all human beings and common throughout humanity. The human being who is able to cognize the “I”, the source of knowledge within, reflects the true laws of existence. Permanent balance, equilibrium and peace are the result of every unit following the guidance of its informed centre.
Man is the universal system of God evolved from one source. Therefore, until humanity is able to discover the absolute common meeting ground, it will not be able to formulate and execute laws nor construct social systems which will stand the test of time. The differences we see among the individual members of humanity are factors added to man’s pure essence during the course of man’s evolutionary development in nature and society. The result is that the essence is sacrificed for its manifestations.
The Holy Quran reveals:
It is for this reason that the instructions of the Holy Quran are not directed toward political systems, races, languages, aggression, or superiority and inferiority regarding human rights. The instructions are to guide man toward the realization of his constant, stable truth, which will be a firm building block for the foundations of a stable and just society. In the teachings of Sufism, values and attitudes considered as derived through social interrelationships, although useful in daily life, are not regarded as the measure for the truth of man. Man must search for and discover the way to realize his inner values and realities. When man comes to this realization, humanity will experience the true meaning of peace and prosperity. Therefore, the creation of educational systems which are in harmony with inherent human values and eternal laws of existence and the message of instructions of the prophets, are required (Angha 101).
In the journey of self-knowledge, the seeker needs a teacher to whose care he is given so that by the teacher’s guidance he may overcome the obstacles of the journey and find the way to the source of knowledge within.
Sheikh Safieddin Ardebili has said:
“One must know that without being in the company of the men of God the veil shall not lift from the heart of the salek (true seeker). The one who goes on this journey on his own will drown in the mirage of the self. The land of the heart of the sincere salek shall be harvested with the blessing of God and the effective words of the Pir, thus he shall attain eternal existence. The body is nourished from the elements and the soul is nourished in servitude to the enlightened and in hearing their words of wisdom. Words and servitude, without love and submission are not fruitful. It has been said that submission of the true disciple to the truth of the Pir is necessary so that the self will heed his guidance (qtd. in Peace 62-64)
The spiritual teacher, known as the “Pir,” meaning the “Light of the Path,” is the patient guide that illuminates the darkness to help seekers find their way to their true Self.
Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), the sixth Imam of Shi’a in the following prayer states:
O’God, reveal Yourself to me, for if You do not reveal Yourself to me, I will not know Your Prophet.
O’God, if you do not reveal Your Prophet to me, I will not know Your Sign.
O’God, reveal Your Sign to me, for if You do not reveal Your Sign to me, I will be misled by my religion
Angha, Molana Salaheddin Ali Nader. Theory “I”. Riverside, CA: M.T.O. Shahmaghsoudi Publications ®, 2002, Print.
Angha, Molana Salaheddin Ali Nader. Peace. Verdugo, CA: M.T.O. Shahmaghsoudi Publications ®, 1987, Print.