Originally published in Sufi Journal Issue 11 (Autumn 1991)
Text of a Speech by Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh, Previous Master of the Nimatullahi Order, to a Sufi Gathering
In Sufi terminology, ‘absence’ means ‘absence from self and the world’, and ‘presence’ means ‘presence with God’. Masters of the Path have considered ‘absence’ and ‘presence’ as two separate stations. We maintain that ‘absence’ is the result of ‘presence’; until ‘presence’ comes about, ‘absence’ cannot take place.
‘Absence’ without ‘presence’ is meaningless, for many a mentally sick person may be absent from himself and from the world but not be ‘present’ with God.
There are two kinds of ‘presence’: ‘presence of breath’ and ‘presence of heart’.
One who has ‘presence of breath’ remembers God with every breath of his, never forgetting Him. ‘Presence’ of this nature causes ‘absence’ from the world.
‘Presence of breath’ occurs through the Sufi’s own volition fired by his love for God. In this state the rememberer and the Remembered are still distinct from one another. ‘Presence of breath’ takes place at the spiritual level of nafs at a time when the commanding nafs has become transformed into the blaming nafs and the nafs-at-rest. At this level ‘presence of heart’ may also occur, although flashing only briefly and disappearing straightaway.
‘Presence of heart’ comes about due to persistence in ‘presence of breath’. Although ‘presence of breath’ is a necessary condition, it is not a sufficient condition for ‘presence of heart’. For one to attain ‘presence of heart’, the favor and support of God is also necessary. The spirit must be drawn by love or Divine attraction, for ‘presence of heart’ to come about. The consequence of ‘presence of heart’ is ‘absence from self’; and with the attainment of ‘presence of heart’ rememberer and Remembered become one.
‘Presence of heart’ is particular to the spiritual level of the heart. At this level ‘presence of heart’ is lasting and undiminished.
I have become so lost
from myself in remembering You
That I ask for news of myself
from whomever I meet on my way.