Having achieved the secret knowledge of the Hidden Truth, which few find, one mystical Master settled in Basra. There he engaged in commerce, and for a number of years his business prospered.
The Dervish, who knew him earlier and was still on the path of the Seekers, once turned to him.
“How sad it is that you left the Quest and the Mystic Path,” said the dervish.
The sage merchant smiled but did not answer. The Dervish continued his journey, and often subsequently spoke in his lectures about a certain former Sufi who gave up his wanderings for the low purpose of engaging in commerce, apparently not possessing the necessary determination to complete the journey. Finally, this wanderer met Khidr, the secret Guide, and asked to be directed to the Sage of the Age, from whom he could receive enlightenment.
Khidr said:
- Go and sit at the feet of such and such a merchant, do any menial work that needs to be done for him.
The dervish was amazed.
“How can he be one of the Chosen Ones, not to mention the Great Teacher of the Age?” - he muttered, stammering.
“The reason is,” said Khidr, “that when he achieved enlightenment, he also achieved objective knowledge of the world.” He immediately saw clearly that pious behavior attracts the greedy, who appears to be spiritual, and repels the sincere, who has no attachment to external things. I showed him how religious teachers can be destroyed by their followers. Therefore, he teaches in secret and outwardly looks like a simple merchant.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru