A wandering Sufi master approached a group of people. They grabbed the rope with all their might and pulled the crocodile out of the river. Seeing that the reptile was still alive and could kill someone if they dragged it ashore, the Sufi cut the tight rope. The people grabbed the Sufi and beat him, shouting:
- Just think, he also dressed up as a Sufi. A pest, and also a hypocrite! True Sufis do only good.
Time passed, and the Sufi met a group of dervishes who believed that through action they would achieve “essence.” He told them that their “essence” could manifest itself, but through inaction. And they drove him away.
Then he entered the school of seekers who practiced contemplation. Realizing that they needed activity, he said:
— “Essence” manifests itself through action.
They followed his instructions until one of the dervishes visited his friend, after which, returning, he announced to everyone:
- This man is a deceiver and an apostate. Previously, he taught that the essence manifests itself through inaction, for which he was expelled. Now he preaches the opposite argument.
Thus, these seekers also drove out the Sufi master.
He found another group of people and told them:
- “Essence” sometimes manifests itself as a result of action, and sometimes as a result of inaction.
They answered him:
“If you simply called us to action when action was needed, we would do so.” And if you kept us from acting when non-action is necessary, we would do so. In reality, you only confuse us and prevent us from focusing on one thing. Give us one rule for each case.
He had to part with them too.
These were the first four communities with which he worked. There are rumors that he now lives in the fifth community.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru