Titus Burckhardt: One of the fundamental conditions of happiness
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Photo: The Birdseller from India; 19th Century. Albumen Print
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One of the fundamental conditions of happiness is to know that everything that one does has a meaning in eternity; but who in these days can still conceive of a civilization within which all vital manifestations would be developed "in the likeness of Heaven"? In a theocentric society the humblest activity participates in this heavenly benediction. The words of a street singer heard by the author in Morocco are worth quoting here. The singer was asked why the little Arab guitar which he used to accompany his chanting of legends had only two strings. He gave this answer: "To add a third string to this instrument would be to take the first step towards heresy. When God created the soul of Adam it did not want to enter into his body, and circled like a bird round about its cage. Then God commanded the angels to play on the two strings that are called the male and the female, and the soul, thinking that the melody resided in the instrument- which is the body- entered it and remained within it. For this reason two strings, which are always called the male and the female, are enough to deliver the soul from the body
(Titus Burckhardt)
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Recommended Reading:
'Introduction to Sufi Doctrine'
By Titus Burckhardt (Author), William C. Chittick (Foreword)
Purchase Book:
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Description:
Titus Burckhardt's masterpiece, Introduction to Sufi Doctrine, explores the essence of Islamic mysticism, or Sufism, presenting its central doctrines and methods to a Western audience in a highly intelligible form.
'Introduction to Sufi Doctrine'
By Titus Burckhardt (Author), William C. Chittick (Foreword)
Purchase Book:
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Description:
Titus Burckhardt's masterpiece, Introduction to Sufi Doctrine, explores the essence of Islamic mysticism, or Sufism, presenting its central doctrines and methods to a Western audience in a highly intelligible form.
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