Asceticism and the Understanding of Erbain: Returning from Austerity
The teachings of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi offer a distinct approach to practices like zühd (detachment from the world) within the depths of Islamic morality. Erbain, a traditional Sufi method involving a forty-day period of intensive worship and spiritual discipline (riyazat), often involves restricting food and sleep. However, in Rumi’s view, excessive asceticism can sever one from their very being rather than bringing them closer to the ultimate truth. While Erbain is a process of purification, it should be applied with flexibility and balance; the aim is to train the ego, but not at the expense of one’s existence.
The Importance of Safeguarding Wellbeing: Self-Observation (Murakaba)
According to Rumi, a virtuous person is not one who suppresses desires, but rather one who can control them. The absence of desire does not preclude avoiding it; the key lies in constantly observing oneself (murakaba) and channeling desires in the right direction. This approach encourages individuals away from extremes and towards finding the middle way. Since Islam does not have rigid rules like monasticism, each individual is expected to reach divine commands with their own capabilities, which brings responsibility and freedom. Rumi’s teachings prioritize internal motivation over external compulsion.
The Flow of Existence: A State of Constant Renewal
Rumi emphasizes that the universe is in a state of constant change and renewal. Just as a line of fire appears to our eye from the movement of a burnt stick, life is also a flowing river. With each breath we take, we step into a new existence; however, we may not be aware of this. The earth absorbs water, grasses consume it, animals eat the grasses and become sustenance for humans, and eventually, the earth draws humanity back to itself. This cyclical process indicates the infinity of the universe and the interconnectedness of all things; this understanding manifests in Rumi’s teachings as a dynamic structure of existence.