Plunging into the wave’s ebb: Sufi words, biographies of humanity

Every culture develops within its own distinctive framework, in which discourses on identity are differently modulated and shared: ideas and modes of thought are the locus of cultural projections, laden with a specific historical and social heritage. However, these frameworks should ideally be elastic enough to allow for the exchange and spread of those specific and universal values which form the foundation of successful multicultural societies. This paper aims at highlighting the connection between Sufism, the generally accepted name for Islamic mysticism (Schimmel 1975), and the concept of identity, looking at how the latter relates to the Islamic spiritual tradition as handed down in the works of some representative medieval Sufis. Furthermore, whilst dealing with issues ranging from the use of language to themes of love and knowledge, this work intends to emphasize the role of the spiritual dimension in forming the base for those universal values which are at the core of multicultural societies. The process of acquiring personal inward awareness can be seen as an important step towards improving intrapersonal relationships while spurring an active participation in social life.

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