Volume
Vol. 10, Sufi Mysticism
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1. Mysticism
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Sub-Heading
Worldly and Spiritual Balance
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Vol. 10, Sufi Mysticism
1. Mysticism
Worldly and Spiritual Balance
People think a mystic means a dreamer, an unpractical person who has no knowledge of worldly affairs. But such a mystic I would call only half a mystic. A mystic in the full sense of the word must have balance; he must be as wise in worldly matters as in spiritual things. People have had many misconceptions of what a mystic is. They have called a fortune-teller a mystic, or a medium, a clairvoyant, a visionary. I do not mean that a mystic does not possess all these qualities, but these qualities do not make a mystic.
A real mystic should prove to be an inspired artist, a wonderful scientist, an influential statesman. He should have just as good qualifications for business, for industry, for social and political life, as the materially minded man.
When people say to me, "You are a mystic, I thought you would take no notice of this or that", I do not like it. Why should I not take notice of it? I take notice of every little detail, although every little detail does not occupy my mind so much that I take notice of nothing else. it is not necessary to be unconscious of the world while being conscious of God. With our two eyes we see one vision; so we should see both aspects, God and the world, as a clear vision at the same time. It is difficult, but not impossible.
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