Blind to Bounds

Mysticism of Sound –Sufi Inayat Khan

A short biographical video about Sufi Inayat Khan, the Indian musician and mystic who brought Sufism to the West in the early 20th century.

Sufi Inayat’s quotes from his book “Mysticism of Sound”.

“A person does not hear sound only through the ears; he hears sound through every pore of his body. It permeates the entire being, and according to its particular influence either slows or quickens the rhythm of the blood circulation; it either wakens or soothes the nervous system. It arouses a person to greater passions or it calms him by bringing him peace. According to the sound and its influence a certain effect is produced. Sound becomes visible in the form of radiance. This shows that the same energy which goes into the form of sound before being visible is absorbed by the physical body. In that way the physical body recuperates and becomes charged with new magnetism.”

“Life is a symphony, and the action of every person in this life is the playing of his particular part in the music.”

“Love produces harmony and harmony creates beauty. Therefore the chief motto in life is ‘Love, harmony and beauty’. Love in all things and beings the beloved God, in harmony with all in the right understanding, and beautify your life by observing the beauty within and without. By love, harmony and beauty you must turn the whole of life into a single vision of divine glory.”

Ayeda Naqvi’s rendition of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s Urdu poem, “Ajab shaan hai”
(English translation below)

Ajab shaan hai, mast e saut e azl kee
(What a unique glory has the one who is attuned to the sound of eternity)
Na parwah rahay, oos ko thal kee na jal kee
(He is not concerned about the (happenings of the) land or the lake (the earth or water)
Usi sur kay, dhiyaani hain roz e azl say
(It is the same sound that we have all been intoxicated by since the beginning of time)
Kay maaray hooay, hain pia kay charan kay
(It is the same sound that brings us to the feet of the Beloved)
Khudaee karain kar kay dikhlaayain dum main
(Let us reflect Him through our breath and our actions …)
Agar dair main hon kay hon ya haram main
(… Whether we are in the temple or in the mosque)
Inayat sada kay fidayee hain saaray
(Oh Inayat, we are all intoxicated by that which is eternal)
Parhain hain azl say pia kay duwaaray
(And since the beginning of time we have been lying at the doorstep of the Beloved)
Jo Us ka hai waisa hee hona hai laazim
(If you come from Him, you are bound to be like Him)
Mijaz aur haqeeqat hain baahim mulaazim
(The inner and the outer world are, after all, one)
Ajab shaan hai, mast e saut e azl kee
(Oh what a unique glory has the one who is attuned to the sound of eternity)
Inayat karo bus bhee tum aur yeh baat
(Oh Inayat, stop talking about such lofty ideals)
Haqeeqat kay charchay, tumhaaree yeh awqaat
(Look at reality and look at your own lowly nature)
Illahi karam ho, kay zara ho khursheed
(Still, if He wishes, He can turn a speck of dust into sunlight)
Karam ho to ho jayay, sar sabz umeed
(And with His blessings, hope becomes evergreen)
Ajab shaan hai, mast e saut e azl kee
(Oh what a unique glory has the one who is intoxicated by the sound of eternity)