Adapted from Lecture Series of Nekounam (Session 378)
Prologue
The Gate of Expansion (Bb al-Inbist) in Khjeh Abdullh Ansrs "Stations of the Wayfarers" (Manzel al-S'irn) occupies a distinguished place among the stations of spiritual disposition and mystical knowledge. In its third degree, "Expansion through Contraction from Expansion" (al-Inbist f al-Intiw an al-Inbist), the seeker ascends to a peak of gnosis and unity wherein he transitions from egocentric expansion to absorption in the divine unfolding. This lecture, February 2012, delivered by the late Nekounam, redefines expansion as the liberation of human nature within the container of divine truth. In this rank, expansion resembles a bird that opens its wings within the infinite sky of Truth, freed from the fetters of ego.
Section I: Contextualisation and Elucidation of the Degrees of Expansion
Introductory Framework and Spiritual Setting: The lecture commences with the blessed phrase: Bismillh al-Rahmn al-Rahm ("In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful" ), establishing a sanctified and divine atmosphere conducive to the discussion. This longstanding Islamic tradition orients the heart towards divine knowledge. Expansion is delineated in three degrees: Creational, Real, and Contractive. The third degree, which is the focus of this lecture, defines expansion as the contraction of the servant into the Divine unfolding. This degree is like a portal that guides the seeker from the constraints of egotism to boundless divine openness.
Key Insight: Expansion in the third degree is liberation from egoic expansion and contraction into the Divine unfolding, culminating in unity with the Divine Truth.
Triadic Classification of Expansion
The lecture presents a tripartite model of expansion: Inbist maa al-Khalq (Creational), Inbist maa al-Haqq (Real), and Inbist f al-Haqq (Contractive). The first, creational expansion, is a lower degree in which the seeker embraces others with magnanimity, even in the face of offence. This degree typifies saints and chivalrous souls whose capacious hearts encompass all. The second, real expansion, is a higher state wherein the seeker is emancipated from fear (of Hell) and hope (for Paradise) and establishes a direct, unmediated relationship with the Divine. But the highest degree expansion within the Divine manifests as the contraction of the seekers expansion in the face of Divine unfolding. This level resembles a mirror that reflects the light of Truth without veil.
Key Insight: Expansion is articulated in three degrees: with creation, with the Divine (directly), and within the Divine a contractive immersion in Divine unfolding.
Reaching the State of Indeterminacy
Ultimate Expansion and the Attainment of Essential Indeterminacy
The discourse identifies the highest degree of expansion as the attainment of the essential indeterminacy of the Divine Essence. At this stage, the seeker becomes entirely freed from all egoic determinations and attains the attribute of indeterminacy within the container of the Essence itself. This attainment is likened to the vanishing of a shadow in the sunlightwherein the seeker loses his egoic identity and abides in the Divine Reality. The lecture insists that such a station is exclusively the prer...
Key Point: Enfolding expansion, through the attainment of the essential indeterminacy, leads the seeker to egoic annihilation and subsistence in the Divine.
The Prohibition of the Essence in General Mysticism
In reference to general mysticism, the discourse deems the attainment of the Essence as prohibited. However, within the mysticism of the perfect saints, the path remains openalbeit replete with severe tribulations. On this path, the seeker faces afflictions and hardships that prepare him for annihilation in the Divine. These tribulations resemble a furnace that melts away egoic impurities and guides the seeker towards purified truth.
Key Point: While access to the Essence is prohibited in general mysticism, it becomes feasible in the sanctified mysticism of perfect saints through the endurance of suffering.
