This directive encourages an inward journey for true perception, suggesting that external vision can be a distraction. To understand reality and connect with the spiritual, one must rely on inner feeling and intuitive understanding, not just physical sight.
Quote by Mahmud Shabistari: “Close your eyes to see the world; open your heart to embrace the unseen.”
Close your eyes to see the world; open your heart to embrace the unseen.
Insight
Historical Context
Medieval Sufi practices often emphasized meditation and inner contemplation over outward rituals. Shabistari's words reflect this tradition, urging mystics to seek truth within and beyond the material realm.
About the Author
Persian Sufi poet born around 1288 in Shabistan, Azerbaijan, whose Rose Garden of Mystery (Gulshan-i Raz) is one of the most influential texts in Sufi philosophy, exploring the nature of divine love, beauty, and the unity of existence in verse form.
View all quotes by Mahmud Shabistari