The station of union is one of the highest stages of mystical journeying in the path of *Manzil al-S'irn*, leading the traveller towards the unity of vision and liberation from fragmentation and otherness. This station represents the point where the traveller is freed from duality and the perception of multiplicity, seeing nothing but the divine truth. In this section, we analyze the concept of "Qat' al-Ishrah" (cutting the pointing), which is one of the fundamental pillars of the station of union.
The station of union is defined through "Qat' al-Ishrah," a concept signifying the dissolution of duality between the pointer (mushr) and the pointed-to (mushr ilayh). A "pointing" act, by its nature, requires the presence of two distinct entities. However, in the station of union, the pointing ceases to exist because the traveller no longer perceives anything except the unity of the divine truth. This liberation from the pointing symbolizes the obliteration of division and otherness. As Nekounam (May his soul rest in peace) expressed: "And the cutting of the pointing is the opposite of the pointing, a journey and a reference to that... and the pointing is severed."
This concept aligns with the Qur'anic verse:
Say, Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.
This verse manifests unity in all states, suggesting that in the station of union, the traveller perceives all aspects of their existence in the face of the divine.
The cutting of the pointing signifies a state of unity of vision, in which the traveller is freed from duality, perceiving nothing but the divine truth. It is as though all existence returns to a single, unified truth.
Another characteristic of the station of union is the dissolution of fragmentation, where multiplicity, plurality, and otherness are erased from the travellers heart. In this station, the traveller no longer sees creation as independent beings, but rather as manifestations of the divine. This witnessing of unity is in accordance with the principle of the Unity of Existence, as stated in the original text: The differentiation is cast off multiplicity and otherness are erased from their heart. This liberation from fragmentation elevates the traveller to a state in which nothing exists except as a manifestation of the divine truth.
The traveller sees all creation as mirrors reflecting the single, divine light. They no longer differentiate between creation and the divine, but observe all things within the sphere of divine unity.
This section has clarified the station of union in terms of "Qat' al-Ishrah" and the dissolution of fragmentation. These two concepts act as the wings by which the traveller soars on the path of unity, liberating them from the chains of duality and fragmentation. Through witnessing the divine unity, the traveller passes beyond all distinctions and reaches complete oneness.
Establishment (*tamkn*) is one of the fundamental aspects of the station of union, signifying the traveller's stability and unwavering presence in the witnessing of unity. This section delves into the concept of *tamkn* in contrast to *tawln* (oscillation between the created and the divine) and *tala* (complete dissolution), as well as the witnessing of creation as a manifestation of the divine.
*Tamkn* refers to the stability and establishment in witnessing the divine unity, safeguarding the traveller from *tawln* (oscillation between perceiving creation and the divine) and *tala* (complete dissolution). As Nekounam (May his soul rest in peace) noted: *Tamkn* should remain... *tawln* occurs when one oscillates between creation and the divine. *Tawln* is like the fluctuation between two colours, preventing the traveller from achieving stability in witnessing the unity of existence. However, *tamkn* places the traveller in a state where they perceive creation solely as a manifestation of the divine.
*Tamkn* represents the travellers perfection in the station of union, enabling them to live in the realm of nature while seeing only the divine truth and being safeguarded from both oscillation and dissolution.
In the station of union, the traveller sees creation only as a manifestation of the divine, and the divine is seen as appearing in creation: The traveller sees creation constantly as an appearance, and the divine constantly as its manifestation. This perception is in harmony with the principle of the Unity of Existence, in which creation is simply the expressions and forms of the divine truth. The traveller, in this station, is freed from the independence of creation and views all beings as mirrors that reflect the divine light.
This section clarified the concepts of *tamkn* and witnessing creation as the manifestation of the divine. *Tamkn* protects the traveller from the fluctuations of *tawln* and *tala*, guiding them to a stable state of unity. This stability serves as the foundation of the traveller's mystical journey, firmly rooted in the divine truth.
The station of union frees the traveller from worldly attachments and external dualities, guiding them to witness unity in all forms and dimensions. This section explores the liberation from the material world and the witnessing of the divine in all forms.
In the station of union, the traveller is liberated from worldly attachments and the constraints of creation, entering the realm of the divine. As stated: The traveller in the station of union no longer settles on the earth but rests in the heart... they move beyond the rank of dust and clay. This liberation signifies the traveller's ascent from material limitations towards divine unity.
This liberation is akin to a bird being freed from the earthly cage, soaring in the boundless sky of divine truth.
Correct surrender is defined as the vision of the Divine in all forms and levels: صحة التمکین... بشهود الحق فی جمیع الصور و المراتب
. At this stage, the seeker is not veiled by creation, because the customary attributes of creation are annihilated in their perception, and they see nothing but the Divine manifested in the forms of the universe. This vision is in harmony with the station of permanence after annihilation, in which all beings are perceived as being upheld by the Divine.
Section Three expounds upon the liberation from the corporeal realm and the perception of unity in all forms. This station frees the seeker from the limitations of created existence and elevates them to a state where they perceive all beings as manifestations of the Divine.
The unity of vision is the essence of the station of unity, which liberates the seeker from duality (the perception of duality in vision) and dualism (the distinction between creation and the Divine). This section examines these concepts and their relation to the نظرہ واحدة (the unified gaze). Duality refers to the oscillation in the vision of the seeker between creation and the Divine: فلا یقع برؤیتها بالتلوین... تلوین یعنی دورنگی
. In the station of unity, the seeker, with the unified gaze, perceives all things as manifestations of the Divine. This stability aligns with the verse of the Qur'an:
Every thing will perish except His face (Quran 28:88, translation by Fouladwand).
Key Point: The liberation from duality leads the seeker to stability in the vision of unity, as though, with a single gaze, they perceive all creatures in the mirror of the Divines manifestation.
At the station of unity, the seeker sees all creatures as vessels for the manifestation of the Divine: ینظر إلیها بنظرة واحدة و هی ظرف الظهور
. This vision is not directed towards independent existence nor towards non-existence, but towards the manifestation of the Divine. This principle emphasises the unity of vision and the liberation from the duality of being and non-being.
At the station of unity, the seeker sees only the One (the Divine) in their vision: فلا موجود فی شهوده بالحقیقة إلا واحد
. This liberation from dualism is the result of the dissolution of concepts such as the whole, essence, non-being, and otherness. At this station, the seeker perceives all beings as manifestations of the Divine and is freed from all notions of otherness. Key Point: The unity of vision liberates the seeker from dualism and the distinction between creation and the Divine, guiding them to a state where only the One is manifest in their vision.
Section Four explores the unity of vision and the liberation from duality and dualism. These concepts guide the seeker to a station where, with a unified gaze, they perceive all creatures as vessels for the manifestation of the Divine, as though the world is a mirror in which only the light of the Divine is reflected.
The station of unity is akin to the pinnacle of spiritual journeying, guiding the seeker to the unity of vision and the liberation from fragmentation, duality, and dualism. At this station, the seeker, having severed all attachments, surrenders to the unity of vision, perceiving all beings as manifestations of the Divine. The verses of the Quran, especially the verse:
Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds (Quran 6:162)
Illuminates this unity with a clear and flawless expression, guiding the seeker on the path of unity, liberating them from the darkness of fragmentation and dualism.
With the sincere oversight of Sadegh Khademi.
