Unification with God (Sufism)

Meditation on the attributes of Allah creates a new pattern of behaviour, a positive attitude; and even effects physiological changes. Encounter and assimilation lead to self-awareness of the inadequacies of the conventional self. Practice of conventional religion brings awareness of God's attributes through transcendental means and gradual identifying with these attributes brings further awareness of ultimate unity. Allah, the object of desire, can be identified with through devotion and [zekr]

, although he cannot be reached through thought or discussion. This process transforms the duality of submission to an authority to the unity of becoming God-like; and, no longer God's servant, completely devoted to God, the Sufi becomes unified and one with God. To reach this goal there has to be perfect patience, treating afflictions as gifts from God; there must also be a dissociation from all mankind, being true to God alone. This separation means that the Sufi has nothing attached and is attached to nothing; his eyes are closed to the imperfect, phenomenal world which conceals God. In a state of [uns]

(fellowship with God), the Sufi ceases to take trouble for himself. All deeds are in accordance with divine will: pleased with what God does so that God is pleased with what he does. He has no need of rituals or formal ceremony - in himself he is nothing and is veiled from those who have their being in the world. Without care, in the highest state of divine consciousness, he is the existence of the divine being.