{The Sufi}[22nd May 1983]

[Redbook2:282][19830522:1130b]{The Sufi}[22nd May 1983]

19830522.1130

[continued]

I cannot see references to this earlier on*, so as far as I can recall: I saw the advertisement in Foyle's [bookshop] in 1981; we first attended just before Christmas 1981, and began to attend regularly a few weeks(?) after Christmas 1981. In about mid-year [1982] or shortly afterwards, I think, we completed 8 consecutive sessions, were briefly inspected by the Sufi Sheikh, and I was handed the notes on the first exercises. W was to receive hers at a woman's session, and I was to be informed of men's practice sessions; but she was reluctant to go on her own – the disciples are not the easiest of people – and I was never contacted. W took against the anal sphincter {contraction} exercise; it surprised me as well. In addition, we had got into confusion with some of the disciples over social arrangements etc..

It seemed indicated that we should break off contact for the time being, recognising the likelihood of renewing contact after some months. During those months I have, consciously and/or unconsciously, reconciled the possibility of becoming a Muslim with the unexpected strength and quality of my Christian roots*.

*{But see 229 [[Redbook2:229][19820630:0005c]{Dream: The Sufi Opposed}[30^th June 1982]], {& 268 [[Redbook2:268-270][19830510:2030c]{Malvinas}[10^th May 1983]]}}

There was a curious incident near the end when the Sufi invited one of my neighbours in the meeting (as I thought) several times, with some intensity, to ask his questions; but my neighbours seemed afterwards to think that he had been asking me. <890929>

**BUT see Vol III.61 [[Redbook3:60-61][19870329:1210]]

As I recall it, despite very much wanting to, I could not reconcile the two – rightly, I think, as it has turned out. <890929> Oh yeah? <911201> Yes – at present; but not for ever <930116>

There is a conflict involving the good impression of Sufism from Gurdjieff and Idries Shah, including the existence of Christian Sufis; the insistence that this Sufi's disciples should all become Muslims; and the rise of fundamentalist Islam.

I know that I was disappointed about this at the time; but it is hard to see now how I could have kept faith with Islam as it is now emerging. <930116>

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