The Three Sheiks & Four Stages – Sufi Wisdom, Justice & Beauty: Pir Zia Inayat Khan

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In this segment from the SAND Community Gathering, "Turning Toward the Heart" (October 2024), Zaya Benazzo converses with Pir Zia Inayat Khan about the delicate balance between addressing the world's suffering and embracing the divine order of life. Pir Zia introduces the story of three sheiks, each embodying different responses to witnessing wrongdoing, aligned with the Sufi spiritual stages:

–Sharia, focusing on justice and fairness
–Tariqa, which transcends mere reciprocity with generosity and the cultivation of beauty
–Haqiqat, viewing all existence as a divine expression beyond dualities of right and wrong

The segment then turns towards the embodied heart of nonduality by integrating these perspectives to pursue justice effectively while maintaining humanity and avoiding the potential pitfalls of resistance. Pir Zia emphasizes the role of beauty in our efforts—ranging from the aspirational avoidance of ugliness (Jamal) to embracing an all-encompassing perfection (Husn), highlighting the spiritual depth of seeing beauty in every aspect of life and its challenges.

Watch the full conversation here "Turning Towards the Heart": https://scienceandnonduality.com/even...

Science and Nonduality (SAND) contemplates and reveres the beauty, complexity, pain, and great mystery that weave the infinite cycles of existence. We explore beyond ultimate truths, binary thinking, and individual awakening while acknowledging humanity as a mere part of the intricate web of life.