Mystical Night (of the Sufis)

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Mystical Night (of the Sufis)

It was believed by the Sufis that to attain the coveted state of mystical contemplation, it was necessary to close the gateway of the physical senses, so that the inner or spiritual senses might operate more freely.

This injunction was sometimes taken literally, as by the Brahmin Yogis, who carefully closed eyes, ears, nose, and mouth in order to attain visionary ecstasy.

The Mystical Night was thus a shutting out of all external sense impressionsof hope, fear, consciousness of self, and every human emotionso that the interior light might be more clearly perceived.

(See also meditation ; yoga )