On the evening of 12 March 2016, the Royal Ottoman Society gathered in the historic Pfalzbau theatre in Ludwigshafen for a night devoted to the living tradition of Ottoman Sufi spirituality. The soft sound of the ney welcomed everyone into a space where past and present met.
Sheikh Bahauddin Adil led the gathering with heartfelt dhikr, poetic recitations and reflection. As the rhythm of the daf filled the hall, participants joined in the remembrance of the Divine, and each chant became a bridge between the seeker’s inner longing and the timeless verses of Rumi, Hâfız Hüseyin and other Ottoman masters. The atmosphere was one of humility and shared yearning, carried by a single intention: to deepen the connection with the Beloved.
Sheikh Bahauddin also spoke about how the Ottoman spiritual heritage can illuminate life today. He described sincerity (ikhlâs) as the cornerstone of all worship, stressed the balance between silent contemplation and outward service, and spoke of the community as a garden in which souls grow together.
The night ended with a gentle farewell, yet the chants lingered long after the lights dimmed. Those present left with a renewed commitment to live the teachings shared that evening.
If you feel called to join similar gatherings, we invite you to our live meetings.
