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CONTENTS
PART I
Appreciation by Hony Jt Secy Serendib Sufi Study Circle
Portrait of His Holiness Bawa Muhaiyaddeen by Russian Artist Ahmad Alexander Vladimirovich Smeiman
Foreword by His Holiness Bawa Muhaiyaddeen
Invocation to Allah by His Holiness Bawa Muhaiyaddeen
PART II
Chapter 1: Signs of Spiritual Significance
Explains the symbolic meaning of the world, desire, religion and human behaviour through the allegory of four types of wives. The virtuous wife represents patience, purity, compassion and spiritual discipline while the other types symbolise destructive qualities associated with fire, air and water.
Explores the nature of the Formless, All-Pervading God and the difficulty of knowing Him through ordinary senses. It emphasises the importance of a true Guru, inner truthfulness and recognising divine presence within the living soul.
Discusses why a genuine spiritual teacher is difficult to find. The chapter focuses on the need for discernment, humility and spiritual readiness before accepting someone as a Guru.
Describes different levels or forms of guidance, distinguishing external teachers from the deeper inner Guru who leads the seeker toward divine knowledge and self-realisation.
Chapter 5: The Physical Features of Man and their Significance
Interprets physical characteristics of the human body symbolically, presenting the body as a reflection of deeper spiritual realities rather than merely a physical structure.
Chapter 6: More Physical Features of Man and their Significance
Continues the symbolic interpretation of bodily features and their relationship to character, destiny, spiritual condition and the inner nature of the human being.
Chapter 7: Twitches in various parts of Man’s body and their Significance
Discusses bodily movements and twitches as signs that are given symbolic or spiritual interpretations. The chapter reflects the traditional belief that the body can reveal aspects of a person’s inner condition and experiences.
Chapter 8: How the Awe-Inspiring God subdues pride
Explains how divine power humbles human arrogance. Pride, status, wealth and self-importance are shown to be temporary, while humility is presented as essential for spiritual advancement.
Examines the significance of the Divine Word and the power of sacred speech. The chapter points toward the relationship between divine sound, revelation, creation and spiritual awakening.
Chapter 10: Etiquette of Prayer
Provides guidance on the proper inner and outer attitude during prayer. It stresses humility, concentration, sincerity, respect and the need for prayer to transform the heart rather than remain a mechanical act.
Chapter 11: The Prophet’s (Sal) advice to Hazrat Ali
Presents spiritual advice attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for Hazrat Ali. The teachings concern faith, wisdom, conduct, knowledge, devotion and the responsibilities of one who seeks closeness to Allah.
Chapter 12: Who is a true human?
Defines the true human being not by physical form but by character and consciousness. A true human is one who possesses compassion, wisdom, self-control, humility and love for all living being.
Chapter 13: The Four Ways of Worship
Explains four approaches or dimensions of worship. The chapter distinguishes outward religious practice from deeper forms of devotion involving knowledge, inner purification and direct spiritual awareness.
Chapter 14: The Four Stages of Spiritual Development
Describes progressive stages through which a seeker develops spiritually. The movement is from ordinary worldly consciousness toward purification, wisdom and the realisation of divine truth.
Explores charity as more than giving material possessions. True charity includes kindness, service, compassion, sharing knowledge and helping others without pride or expectation of reward.
Chapter 16: The Different Types of Swamis
Classifies different kinds of spiritual teachers or ascetics, distinguishing genuine wisdom from outward appearance, pretence and false spiritual authority.
Chapter 17: The Earthen Pot and the Brass Vessel
Uses vessels as an allegory for different kinds of people. The chapter contrasts inner purity, usefulness and humility with outward hardness, pride or superficial appearance.
Discusses the responsibilities of human beings toward Allah, the Guru, family, society and other living beings. Spirituality is presented as something that must be expressed through responsible conduct.
Chapter 19: Service to the Guru
Explains the importance of serving the Guru with humility, obedience, sincerity and love. Service is presented as a means of overcoming ego and receiving spiritual guidance.
Chapter 20: Body, Trick and Danger
Warns that the physical body, worldly desires and the deceptive workings of the mind can mislead the seeker. The chapter encourages vigilance against illusion and attachment.
Explores six symbolic aspects or “faces” of human existence. These represent different dimensions of perception, behaviour or spiritual identity that must be understood and brought under control.
Chapter 22: Faith and Determination
Emphasises that spiritual progress requires both faith and unwavering determination. Belief without effort is insufficient, while determination must be guided by wisdom and surrender to Allah.
Discusses the meaning and significance of Alimeens, presenting ideas concerning spiritual knowledge, learned people and the distinction between intellectual learning and true divine wisdom.
Chapter 24: The Fistful of Earth
Uses earth as a symbol of the human body, mortality and the temporary nature of worldly existence. It reminds the reader that the human being ultimately returns to the earth while the soul’s spiritual destiny is more profound.
Explains Dhikr, the remembrance of Allah, as a central method of spiritual purification. Repeated remembrance gradually stills the mind, removes egoistic qualities and awakens the heart to divine presence.
Chapter 26: The Allegory of the Ship
Presents the human journey as a ship travelling through the ocean of life. The ship, its direction and its passengers symbolise the body, mind, desires, guidance and the soul’s journey toward salvation.
Chapter 27: The Story of Creation
Explores the origins of creation and the emergence of human beings from divine command and elemental existence. The story is presented not merely as history but as a spiritual explanation of the human condition.
Chapter 28: The Tree in the Desert
Uses the image of a tree in a barren desert as a symbol of spiritual refuge, life and guidance amid the emptiness of worldly existence. The Guru or divine wisdom provides nourishment to the seeker
Uses the lotus pond as an allegory for spiritual life. The lotus, which rises from muddy water while remaining pure, represents the seeker who lives in the world without becoming contaminated by worldly attachments.
Chapter 30: The Mystical Meaning of Man’s Body
Provides an extensive esoteric interpretation of the human body. The body is presented as a microcosm containing symbolic representations of the universe, divine realities, spiritual centres and the stages of creation.
Chapter 31: The Twenty-Eight Arabic Alphabets in Man’s Body
Explains the symbolic relationship between the 28 Arabic letters and parts or aspects of the human body. The chapter reflects the idea that divine language, revelation and creation are encoded within the human form.
Chapter 32: Allahu ta- aalaa Nayan’s Instructions to Muhammad (Sal)
Presents spiritual instructions attributed to Allah concerning Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The chapter focuses on divine guidance, obedience, wisdom and the responsibilities of the Messenger and those who follow him.
Identifies ten major destructive qualities or sins that corrupt the human being. These include forms of egoism, harmful desire, pride, anger, greed and other tendencies that distance a person from Allah.
Chapter 34: The Treachery of the Swamis
Warns against false teachers who misuse spiritual authority. The chapter distinguishes genuine Gurus from those motivated by wealth, power, deception or personal gain.
Chapter 35: An Encounter with Theiwaanai and Letchimi
Relates a symbolic or spiritual encounter involving Theiwaanai and Letchimi. The episode explores illusion, temptation, worldly attraction and the challenges faced by the seeker on the spiritual path.
Chapter 36: The Creation of Manu-eesan
Explores the creation and meaning of Manu-Eesan, presenting humanity as a being with both worldly and divine dimensions. The chapter considers the purpose of human existence and the potential for spiritual perfection.
Chapter 37: The Kundalini Sakti
Discusses Kundalini Sakti in an esoteric spiritual framework, relating inner energy, consciousness and the awakening of hidden spiritual potential within the human being.
Chapter 38: The Closure of the Openings
Explores the symbolic closing or disciplining of the openings of the body and senses. The teaching concerns withdrawal from distractions, control of desires and directing consciousness inward toward spiritual truth.
Chapter 39: Bawa and the Bridge-keeper
Presents a spiritual encounter involving Bawa and a bridge-keeper. The bridge symbolises the passage between worldly existence and the hereafter, with the episode highlighting accountability, guidance and the conditions for spiritual passage.
Chapter 40: Theiwaanai Revisited
Returns to the figure of Theiwaanai and develops the earlier symbolic themes of temptation, illusion and spiritual discernment. The chapter reinforces the need to recognise deception and remain faithful to the path of truth.
PART III
The Sheikh's Travels in Serendib
A Tribute to Guru Bawa by an un-named disciple
A Tribute to His Holiness Bawa Muhaiyaddeen by a disciple, A V Arulampalam
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