黒雲や
夜に散り迷い
月景色

Kuro-gumo ya
yoru ni chiri mayo-i
tsuki no keshiki

“Seek on high bare trails
Sky-reflecting violets …
Mountain-top jewels" - Basho

Join us each week for a transformative journey through the profound intersection of Islamic mysticism and Taoist wisdom in our Sufi Healing, Reading and Reflection Circle. We gather to explore Seyyed Hossein Nasr's illuminating A Sufi Commentary on the Tao Te Ching: The Way and Its Virtue, a remarkable work that reveals the universal principles underlying both the Islamic and Chinese mystical traditions.

What We Explore Together

In this sacred space of learning and healing, we delve deep into how the eternal wisdom of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching resonates with the teachings of the great Sufi masters. Dr. Nasr's commentary unveils the striking parallels between the Tao (the Way) and the Islamic concept of al-Tariqah (the Path), showing how both traditions point toward the same ultimate Reality.

Where possible, the sessions are enriched with insights from Ibn Arabi, the "Greatest Master" (al-Shaykh al-Akbar), whose doctrine of the Unity of Being (wahdat al-wujud) provides profound resonance with Taoist understanding of the underlying unity of all existence.

This circle welcomes seekers from all backgrounds who wish to explore how ancient wisdom traditions illuminate the path to spiritual healing and awakening. Whether you're new to Sufism, familiar with Taoism, or simply drawn to mystical wisdom, you'll find nourishment for your soul's journey.

The Universal Message

As Dr. Nasr beautifully demonstrates, the meeting of these two great wisdom traditions reveals that the mystic's path is universal, transcending cultural and religious boundaries while honouring the unique beauty of each tradition. In our troubled times, this synthesis offers profound healing, reminding us that all authentic spiritual paths ultimately lead to the One Reality that is both the source and destination of our seeking.

"The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao" echoes the Islamic teaching that Allah is beyond all human comprehension, yet paradoxically, both traditions affirm that this Ultimate Reality can be known through direct spiritual experience and the purification of the heart.

On the Nature of the Tao

Dr. Nasr illuminates the profound depth of this central concept:

"The title of this book, which is the most foundational source of the Taoist tradition and one of the best-known sacred texts of the religions of the world, has several meanings. Even though its title is usually translated as The Book of the Way and Its Virtues, it includes the word 'Tao,' which has no synonym in any other language. The Tao is not just the way to reach the Truth, it is also the Absolute Truth Itself, termed al-Ḥaqq in the Islamic tradition, meaning 'the Real' or 'the Divine Truth.' At the same time, It is also the Way to attain perfection and to reach the Absolute Truth. Moreover, the Tao is the Principle of all things in the hierarchy of being, and that which determines the nature of all beings and the principles of their existence. The Tao is also the source of virtue and salvation. It has both ontological and ethical dimensions, and is both individual and social, human and cosmic, practical, theoretical and existential. For these reasons the term 'Tao' is used in the Persian text and is not translated. The Tao is the guide that leads human beings to the highest plane of the Truth, which is nothing but the Tao Itself. Thus, the Tao is the fundamental key for understanding reality in all degrees of Its manifestation."

This profound understanding reveals why our exploration of these parallel wisdom streams offers such rich nourishment for the soul's journey toward Ultimate Reality.

Weekly Call Details

When: Monday 9pm-10pm UK time, starting Monday 9th June 2025
Format: Online gathering starting with a Sufi healing meditation (20 min), following by mindful reading of the spiritual text (20 min), and then space for reflection (20 min)
Facilitator - Session will be facilitated by Sulaiman - Saqib Safdar
Text: A Sufi Commentary on the Tao Te Ching by Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Supplementary Wisdom: Selections from Ibn Arabi's works, where possible. All material will be provided on screen - you may however wish to also purchase the book from Fons Vitae

Registration:

• Free for Supporting Members of the Hikmah Project - (you'll receive an email with joining instructions)
• Pay-what-you-can monthly donation

For more information about joining our weekly circle, please contact us at info@thehikmahproject.com. May this gathering of Remembrance be a source of Light and healing for all who participate.