On a crisp evening in early March 2016 the members of the Royal Ottoman Society gathered in the Ludwigshafen (LU) Theatre for a special sohbet presented by Ayberk Efendi. After navigating traffic and long journeys many arrived with smiles that lit up the hall, turning each entrance into an offering of gratitude. The atmosphere was warm, inquisitive, and ready to receive the timeless wisdom of Sufism.
In this gathering the central theme unfolded naturally: the mission of Sufism is love—love for humanity and for every creature fashioned by the Creator. The teaching reminded us that true devotion begins with seeing the world as a garden filled with signs of divine beauty. From tiny insects to towering trees, each being carries a spark of the Almighty’s mercy, inviting us to cherish rather than dominate.
A simple yet profound anecdote illustrated this respect for creation. A young girl expressed a wish to keep a chameleon as a pet, enchanted by its ability to change colour and rotate its eyes. When she researched how to feed it, she discovered that a healthy diet required live cockroaches. The very thought of maintaining such a feeder made her reconsider, and she promptly chose not to bring the animal into her home. The story served as a gentle reminder: every creature has its own purpose and natural habitat. Our role is to honor those places, allowing each being to thrive in the environment intended for it.
The sohbet then turned inward, reflecting on how love evolves over a lifetime. In youth, affection can feel like walking on clouds—intense, all‑consuming, and seemingly endless. As responsibilities accumulate, that cloud often gives way to the solid ground of daily life, bringing worries about work, family, and the future. Rather than viewing this shift as loss, the teaching invited listeners to see it as an invitation to dig deeper into the heart. Beneath the layers of worldly concerns lies a “drop” of Sufi love that, once uncovered, radiates outward and reconnects us with the Creator’s boundless affection.
Practical guidance emerged from this insight:
- Awareness: Notice when life’s pressures pull you away from spiritual reflection.
- Digging Deep: Intentionally seek the hidden love within, allowing it to surface like a well‑kept spring.
- Radiance: Let that inner light illuminate family, neighbours, and community, offering gentle, sustaining energy.
The sohbet concluded by invoking the spirit of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi—whose ecstatic dance exemplifies how love can lift the soul beyond ordinary concerns into timeless communion with the Divine. It was a reminder that titles, professions, or cultural labels are merely accessories; what truly matters is the luminous love embedded in every heart.
We invite all seekers who feel moved by this message to deepen their practice together with us. Join our live meetings where we gather for Bayah, study, and shared remembrance, nurturing the love that unites us all.
