1.
The subtitle of this book read: "Spiritual Illumination in Sufism and East Asian Philosophies." At that time my serious interest on Sufism as a subject of study has just began and as I was living in Singapore, my exploration of East Asian spirituality and philosophies was on-going. So timing wise it was just too perfect when I discovered his book "The Black Pearl" at the library of National University of Singapore (NUS) circa 2005-2006. Title of the chapters (or sub-sections) of this great book can give an indication of its treasure, I'm quoting some selected ones here: Buddhahood and Prophethood, A Sufi's worship, From Nature to God, God in East Asian Culture, Nirvana in Brahman, None-self but One Self, Emptiness or GOD?, Confucius: The Exoteric Dimension etc. In short, this is a must read book for anyone interested in comparative spirituality, specially those who has appreciation for Buddhism, Zen, Tao and Confucianism. The book is a beautiful bridge of understanding between Sufism / Islam and the major Far Eastern traditions.
This is what Henry Bayman wrote in his introduction of the book:
I believe that Islamic Sufism has much in common with Buddhism, with Taoism, with Zen, and yes, even with Confucianism. At the same time, however, Sufism differs in various respects from each of these paths, to a degree that it becomes worthwhile to write a book about the subject.
At the center of the discussion is Absolute Reality: God, the Tao, Buddha-nature, the One (al-Ahad). Branching off from this are: exoteric Confucianism, which deals with morality; esoteric Taoism and Buddhism, and their combined form Zen, which deal with wisdom and mysticism; plus other traditions which are less widespread but nevertheless represent important aspects of Eastern thought.
The book description reads: "This sparkling book shows, as never before, how the highest metaphysical reaches of East Asian philosophies are scaled by contemplative Islam. Combining insightful analysis and personal reflection, Henry Bayman explores the mystical dimensions of Sufism, Buddhism, Taoism, Zen and Confucianism. He delves into the striking parallels and seemingly irreconcilable differences in their conceptions of Absolute Reality: God, the Tao, Buddha-nature, the One. Bayman shows how each system of thought can illuminate the inner meaning of the others."
So that was Black Pearl, which came out in 2005. His two other title prior to the new one, are: The Station of No Station: Open Secrets of the Sufis (2001) and The Secret of Islam: Love and Law in the Religion of Ethics (2003), both of which if you have not read, you have missed one of the best modern writer on Islam and Sufism, at least in my humble opinion. Henry Bayman is a student of Sufism and an independent scholar who has lived in Turkey for many years, studying with the Masters of Wisdom of Central Anatolia.
2.
New Book Out
Few weeks back it was a real delight to know that Henry Bayman has a new book out by the titled: "The Teachings of a Perfect Master: An Islamic Saint for the Third Millennium," published by Anqa Publishing.In this Book the author has tried to faithfully record and convey all the teachings of his Sufi Teacher, Master Ahmet Kayhan, who was truly incomparable. May his light benefit the whole world, InshaAllah. The publisher's website mentions about this book as:
Here, for the very first time, we have at hand the entire curriculum of a Sufi saint. For more than a quarter of a century, Henry Bayman has been in close contact with the Sufi Masters of Central Anatolia. Most of that time was spent in the presence of the peerless Sufi teacher Mr. Ahmet Kayhan. Out of that association has emerged our closest glimpse yet of the famous (and hitherto mysterious) Oral Tradition of Sufism.
The author, combining the rigor of an anthropologist with the devotion of a disciple, has brought us a book that faithfully lays bare the entire range of teachings of the man who may come to be recognized as the Sufi Saint of the Age. It may well serve as the gold standard in Islamic and Sufi studies for years to come.
3.
Extract from the Book
With permission from the Author, here is an extract from the new Book. I wish the author, Henry Bayman every success, may Allah bless his work and increase the honor of Master Ahmet Kayhan's soul in the Presence of the Supreme Beloved. May this book reach to the heart of those who come to read it, may its transmission be blessed by Allah, the Mercy Bestower, the Generous Giver. Ameen.
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| Vision of Miraaj / Digital Art by Sadiq Alam |
~ Ascension ~
As everyone knows, each and every one of the prophets has ascended to God. We are not going to explain these Ascents here in detail, but rather will summarize them briefly. There has been no prophet without ritual Prayer, nor without Ascension (miʿraj). Many of them have ascended twice.
Adam had his first Ascension when his spirit was created by God. His second Ascent occurred at the mountain of Arafat together with our mother Eve.
Idris (Enoch), in accordance with the Quranic verse – ‘We raised him to a high place’ – ascended and did not come back. Noah, at the time of the Flood associated with his name, ascended while on the ship he made by God’s command.
Abraham ascended to heaven twice: First, when he was thrown into the fire, and second, at the moment when he was about to sacrifice his beloved son Ishmael. These two are very important points.
Jonah, at the time when he was swallowed by the whale, was inspired by God Almighty with the verse: ‘There is no god but You. Glory be to You, I have been of the wrongdoers’ [21:87]. By repeating this verse, he made his Ascension in the belly of the whale.
King Solomon, the son of David, told his father he would accept prophethood on two conditions. He said to him: ‘If God Almighty grants the prophethood on both physical and spiritual grounds, I will accept it.’ God was pleased with these words of Solomon, and his request was granted. This became his Ascension, because he wanted it that way.
As for Moses, he also performed two Ascensions. In his first ascent, right after his birth his mother placed him in a basket of bulrushes and set him adrift on the Nile. His second ascent occurred on Mount Sinai [Horeb].
Jesus also had two Ascensions. In the first one, the Virgin Mary was asked: ‘How did you get pregnant?’ Jesus answered from his mother’s womb: ‘My mother’s words are the truth, heed my mother.’ His second ascent happened during the Crucifixion (his ascension was spiritual). (note: According to Islamic belief, Jesus was not crucified, but was lifted bodily out of physical space. Someone else was crucified instead, most likely Judas for his betrayal. The Master is saying that in addition, Jesus ascended to God in spirit on this occasion.)
The Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad was superior to those of the other prophets. Crossing the Seven Heavens, he performed his Ascension starting from the seventh, conversed with God, and returned with the greatest good news to his community and all mankind.
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| Khidr, the Hidden Green Man / Collage (not part of the Book) |
~ Hidden Knowledge ~
Hidden Knowledge [ʿilm al-ladun: literally, ‘knowledge from Our side’ – esoteric or inner knowledge of things conferred by God], with the permission and order of God Almighty, fills the whole earth and the heavens. I, humble person that I am, cannot explain this here. However, we may be content to give a few ciphers.
Do all prophets possess Hidden Knowledge, or don’t they?
According to legend, after gathering his entire army, Alexander the Great, with a sign from the Esoteric, started looking for the Elixir of Life in order to achieve immortality. After a considerable amount of exploration, two soldiers set out from the camp one day to continue the search, with the understanding that they would return and report if they happened to find the Elixir.
Around noon they arrived at a river. In order to have lunch, they took out some dried fishes and proceeded to eat. When they threw the remaining skeleton of a fish into the river, an amazing thing happened. The skeleton regained life, took on flesh and appeared to them in the form of a living fish.
The one known as Khidr peeled a fish, ate its meat and, holding the skeleton from its tail, immersed it in the water. The fish immediately reconstituted, regained life and started squirming in his hand. To his friend, Elias [Elijah], he said: ‘We have found the Elixir.’ They drank from the water, and also watered their horses. Their human attributes disappeared, and sublime, divine attributes came over them.physical space. Someone else was crucified instead, most likely Judas for his betrayal. The Master is saying that in addition, Jesus ascended to God in spirit on this occasion.
This is the story. Now for the truth:
This water was a flowing water, a river. Whoever drank from this water should have become like Khidr and Elias. However, since their goal was the Elixir, only these two ascended, only they could ascend by this water.
The story goes on: The two friends returned to the army of Alexander the Great, but they did not tell Alexander about their discovery. Instead, they requested permission to leave the army and go back. Alexander did not grant their request, since he did not want his army to break ranks. In spite of their leader’s ban, however, Khidr and Elias left the army and started off. Alexander sent his army after them, and ordered their capture. However, during a close pursuit, both of them were suddenly lost from sight.
Did the earth swallow them up, or were they raised to the sky?
All the attempts of Alexander’s men to find them met with failure. So they went back, and reported to Alexander the Great. Alexander then said: ‘I overexerted myself and my army in order to achieve immortality, yet the Elixir fell to their lot. Mine was only a rebellion against the will of God.’
This brings us to Moses and Khidr [see the Quran, 18:60-82].
Moses, with the permission of God Almighty, attained a very high level in his knowledge of the Outward and Inward sciences. In spite of this, God declared: ‘Moses, you must learn Hidden Knowledge.’ Moses asked: ‘My Lord, is Hidden Knowledge beyond the Outward and Inward sciences you have given me?’ God answered: ‘O Moses, Hidden Knowledge is superior to all the other sciences. The time has now come for you to discover this. Go to the place where the two seas meet [to a designated pier on the banks of the Red Sea]. There, you will see a man of such-and-such a description. Tell him: “I have come to learn esoteric knowledge from you.”’
The man described by God was none other than Khidr. So Moses went and found Khidr, who answered to the description. After greeting him, he told him about the above order. Khidr said: ‘I was waiting for you here on God’s orders.’
They became companions, and soon boarded a ship. Although he was a great prophet, Moses was now taking orders from Khidr. While the ship was sailing on the high seas, Khidr at one point said: ‘Let’s go downstairs together.’ They went to the lowest deck of the ship. Khidr said to Moses: ‘Take this hammer and make a hole through the ship’s hull with this nail.’ Moses objected: ‘There are many people and animals on this ship.’ Khidr repeated: ‘Just be patient, make a hole.’
So Moses obeyed. Water started flowing into the ship. A short while later, they were invaded by pirates. But by this time, the water had already flooded the first deck. Upon seeing this, the pirates fled, among shouts: ‘The ship is sinking,’ and so saved themselves. On the other hand, the people on board had panicked. The captain of the ship was shouting orders: ‘What are you waiting for? Abandon ship!’ Just as they were about to do so, Moses and Khidr plugged the hole with a wooden peg. Water stopped flowing in, the water in the ship was bailed out and they all continued their voyage.
When Moses and Khidr got off the ship, they landed in another town. While they were disembarking, youngsters were playing ball just as they do today in a field adjacent to the port.
Khidr came face to face with a young man about eighteen years old. Khidr looked at him with a stern face, whereupon the young man attacked him. The friends of the young man tried to separate them from each other. Khidr struck the jugular vein on the young man’s neck, and he died immediately. Moses and Khidr escaped through the crowd in the ensuing commotion.
During evening hours they called on a town. No matter which door they knocked on, nobody would open. By then it was midnight. Moses, being human, was hungry and cold. Khidr, since he had drunk of the Elixir with the permission of God, was affected neither by hunger nor by cold.
Presently they came across a ruined wall, on the verge of falling down. Khidr said: ‘Let’s repair this wall.’
Moses: ‘What are you talking about? I’m cold and hungry. We’ve been driven from every door in this town. And now you want to repair this ruined wall!’
Khidr said: ‘Don’t argue with me, just help me do our work.’ Moses had no choice; he began to work. They repaired and restored the wall. But inwardly, Moses was getting very angry with Khidr. He made this apparent by saying: ‘What are you trying to accomplish?’
Khidr sighed, and answered him as follows: ‘Moses, you have been too impatient. You could not stand three events. Now, I am going to explain them to you.
‘We drilled a hole in the hull of the ship. You saw with your own eyes what happened next: pirates invaded the ship. They were going to rob the ship and kill us all. The ship owner’s money was honestly earned. I felt pity and saved them.
‘The young man I killed was the son of a prominent man. He was rebellious towards his parents. He also belittled the people of that town. If one day he were to rule there, he would have oppressed the people. We killed one man, and saved a hundred thousand from harm.
‘Consider now this wall. The man who built this house was a righteous man. He built this house with money earned honestly. He put the remaining money in a jug, and buried it near the wall we repaired. (Khidr pointed with his hand:) Right here, beneath this foundation.
‘The father and mother passed away, the uncle took custody of the children, and the house was ruined. The kids are still young. After they leave their uncle they will build a house on this lot, and this money will then be their share.’
Khidr continued: ‘I think you now understand the reasons for the things we did. But you were too impatient; our companionship is at an end. We must now depart.’
Khidr gave his hand to Moses, and they shook hands. Moses began to weep and wail: ‘If you leave me here now, where am I going to go? I don’t know my way back. Please don’t leave me.’ Khidr said: ‘Don’t worry. If you are wise, we will be together all the time. Give your hand to me and shut your eyes tight. Open them when I say so.’
Moses gave him his hand. Khidr said ‘close your eyes’ and ‘open them,’ in immediate succession. Moses looked around; he was in front of his house.
This, with the permission, grant and favor of God, is referred to as ‘the folding of space’ (tayy al-makan).
(credit)
[+] You may read more from the extract from here (PDF) version.
[+] Table of Content of the Book here.
[+] To order the Book: via Amazon, via Publisher's site.
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