end in that way. The style of communication Uwaiys represents invites us to a different way of practice, to an inner practice of spirituality, practicing and communicating with the unseen teacher and the spirit of the teacher.
Dr. Kianfar explains, “This style became the foundation of Sufism, especially in the Uwaiysi tariqat.” Amongst most major orders in Sufism, the principle of searching to connect and communicate with an unseen teacher is essential to one’s development, and occurs through connection to the heart. Uwaiys removed himself from all distraction and focused his life on his spiritual practice. In the same way, the spiritual practitioner recognizes that his or her first step in the spiritual process is to clear all distractions from the path toward ultimate knowledge. Any true seeker of knowledge can be hopeful, as Uwaiys validates, that there is always a Teacher available for a devoted practitioner. Uwaiys teaches us to wait patiently in solitude to discover and appreciate the wisdom of our heart, and to seek connection with a guiding light or star, praying to have our heart illuminated with divine guidance.
1. Dr. Nahid Angha, Principles of Sufism (San Rafael: International Association of Sufism, 1991), 7. 2. See Sufism, An Inquiry 16(2), pgs. 33-57. 3. As cited in M.T.E. Angha (1982), From the prophet Mohammad to the great Sufi Mir Ghotb-eddin Mohammad: A history and lineage of the Islamic Sufism Tarighe Oveyssi. (San Francisco, CA: IKM Printing), pg., 27. 4. Ibid., 21.
Sufism: An Inquiry Vol XVI, No. 3
56