Expansion and Contraction

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Expansion/Contraction

Shaykh Ibrahim

On this sufi path, there are times of expansion and contraction. Expansion is when, for example, you feel Allah’s blessings, an opening of awareness, your heart warming and growing. You may understand concepts more clearly, or realize the unity of Allah.

Contraction is feeling separation, fear, unworthiness, inability to cope, and a desire to run away from problems.

Contraction and expansion are connected. They are as breathing. You cannot keep inhaling. At some point you must exhale. Then you can inhale again. Your heart beats and gives you life through its ongoing expansion and contraction. That is part of life: duality. For the sufi, we try to keep a larger perspective so we can ride these waves a little easier, like a cork on the water.

Sometimes contraction seems much worse than usual, because the expansion you have last experienced has stretched your awareness into a new shape. Then, when you come back to the old self, it seems much smaller or more constricted than usual. In truth, it is the same old self, but in comparison, the experiences of the new self just don’t fit in the same space. What happens? Usually, you will experience a lot of internal friction, resulting in anger, frustration, blame, pettiness, and general grumpiness. This goes on until this old self is eventually dumped overboard, so the new self can take its place. Then the process begins all over again.

What are some tools to use during contraction? Do Zikr, of course, and stay close to your shaykh. When we give bayat, and say, “Hold tight to the rope of Allah”, this is that time we are referring to. You grab Allah’s rope, whether it is made of faith, belief, hope, or love, and know that this too will pass. Each level of the nafs has its own “guardian” or gate you must pass through, and this constriction is part of that process. To get through the eye of the needle, you must leave your self behind, and trust Allah, or at least your shaykh.

Also, know that Allah does not put you through these constrictions out of meanness, or vindictiveness. It is always from His Love, so that you can know Him without distractions. You have asked for Allah, and Allah is responding. For you to be with Allah, nafs must be burned away in the most appropriate way for you. Therefore, if it hurts, it is probably good for you. Why does it have to hurt so much? First, it will not be more than you can bear – that is guaranteed in the Koran. It may feel like more, but it actually expands your capacity. And that is the second reason for constriction – it increases your capacity to take on Allah’s blessings. It shows you that your limits are far greater than you thought. It also may give you insight into other’s sufferings, and therefore more tolerance, compassion, understanding, and wisdom.

So it might help when you are experiencing either contraction or expansion to keep your focus on Allah, like the horizon, and know that if you go up on the wave, it will also come down, but that’s okay. It is part of life, and you will get through it. It is Allah’s Love in motion.

Salaam Alaykum, murids, seekers, curious and interested listeners,

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