Breath of the Beloved

 

Sufi Meditation and the Heart’s Remembrance

In the golden age of Islamic spirituality, a mystical path began to form, not away from the world, but deeper into it. This was the way of the Sufis, seekers of inner truth, who turned toward the heart to encounter the Divine not as a distant figure, but as the Beloved – immanent, intimate, and ever-present.

Rooted in the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the Qur’an, Sufism blossomed between the 7th and 12th centuries CE across Persia, Turkey, North Africa, and India. While Islam emphasized prayer and submission, Sufism introduced a direct, experiential relationship with the Divine through love, remembrance (dhikr), and deep inner stillness.

Sufi meditation, or muraqabah, means “to watch over” or “to witness” – a practice of observing the heart in stillness, cultivating presence, humility, and openness to Divine love. Alongside this, the Sufis developed dhikr (remembrance), the repetition of sacred phrases or Divine Names to awaken the heart and purify the self. Some practices were quiet and internal; others, like the whirling of the Mevlevi dervishes, became devotional dances of complete surrender.

I remember being invited to attend a gathering that included a small group of whirling dervishes .. one of the most mesmerising and evocative evenings on my own meditation journey.

To the Sufi, the goal of meditation is not self-improvement but annihilation of the ego, that one might dissolve into the greater presence of the One.

Meditation Practice: Silent Dhikr and the Breath

Sufi dhikr can be spoken, chanted, or silently intoned with the breath. This version is a quiet, inward remembrance – perfect for beginners or those drawn to heart-based practices.

“The one who knows their soul, knows their Lord.” – Hadith (Prophetic saying)

A simple breath-based dhikr practice:

1. Sit comfortably with a relaxed, upright posture. Close the eyes and bring attention to the breath.
2. Begin silently repeating the sacred phrase: “Ya Hayy” (“O Ever-Living”).
3. Inhale gently through the nose, and as you exhale, repeat the name internally. Let the sound arise not from the lips, but from the heart-space.
4. As thoughts arise, allow them to drift away. Return softly to the rhythm of breath and remembrance.
5. Continue for 10–15 minutes. Let this become a meeting, not with words, but with presence.

This practice is not about volume or precision – it is a softening into devotion.

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Type of Meditation: Sufi Breathing & Dhikr
Root Tradition: Islam (Sufism)
Key Region: Europe
Rough Timeframe: 600 CE – Present