There are several steps on the path. This is a vast subject, but condensing it I would say that there are five principal steps. - The first is responsiveness to beauty of all kinds, in music, in poetry, in color or line.
- The second is one's exaltation by beauty, the feeling of ecstasy.
- The third step is tolerance and forgiveness, when these come naturally without striving for them.
- The fourth is that one accepts as if they were a pleasure things one dislikes and cannot stand: in the place of a bowl of wine, the bowl of poison.
- And the fifth step is taken when one feels the rein of one's mind in one's hand; for then one begins to feel tranquillity and peace at will. This is just like riding on a very vigorous and lively horse, yet holding the reins firmly and making it walk at the speed one desires. When this step is taken the mureed becomes a master.
|
|