Zikar, The Path of Remembrance Click the button below to download a pdf of the Path of Remembrance document.
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Preface from the Path of Remembrance Zikar is a spiritulal practice at the heart of Sufism, in which the ancient syllables ‘La El La Ha, El AI La Hu’ are rhythmically repeated, usually to the accompaniment of motions of the head and body. The phrase may be loosely translated as ‘God alone exists. none exists save He.’ The first part of the formula, ‘La EI La Ha,’ is a surrender, through which the seeker hopes to put aside the illusion ofcaptivity. The second part ofthe Zikar, ‘EI Al La Hu,’ affirms the all-pervading Divine Presence. Taken together, the two parts of the phrase encapsulate the Sufi point of view, which has no particular dogma, seeing Truth hidden in all forms and in all beings. Therefore, the Sufi respects all religions and all forms of worship, knowing them to be inspired by the same divine source. The focus of the Zikar is the heart; the heart-centre has been called the gateway to tbe soul, or the altar in the temple of God, and the practice of Zikar strikes repeatedly on this centre, striving to make the spark of love blaze up brightly. By this the zakir, the one who practices Zikar, becomes more pliant and responsive to the life within and around. In the words of our Master Hazrat Inayat Khan, “the expression of the countenance becomes harmonious. the voice becomes melodious. the presence becomes healing... There is nothing that by Zikar cannot be accomplished..... |
As noted in this book, there are many kinds of Zikar, varying in melody and movement. It is our intent to present here some material relevant to the Zikar as it was taught by Pir-o·Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan, who brought the Sufi Message to the West The Zikar that Hazrat Inayat Khan taught his students is the fruit of deep mystical insight and high musical attunement. It uses ancient words, set to a melody given specifically by our Master for this practice, for this age. To this are added traditional movements and visualisations, so that the whole forms a richly resonant experience in which. hopefully, the illusion of separate identity dissolves in the consciousness of the Divine Presence. ... Nawab William Pasnak |
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