Attention Quote by Idries Shah
“Like the bat, the Sufi is asleep to 'things of the day' - the familiar struggle for existence which the ordinary man finds all-important - and vigilant while others are asleep. In other words, he keeps awake the spiritual attention dormant in others. That 'mankind sleeps in a nightmare of unfulfillment' is a commonplace of Sufi literature”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Sufi Book of Life, 1970
The Sufi remains detached from daily concerns, staying spiritually alert while others are oblivious, awakening hidden awareness.
In simple terms: Sufis ignore mundane worries and stay spiritually awake.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate inner vigilance beyond daily distractions.
Themes
spirituality
detachment
awakening
Mood
contemplative
philosophical
Type
inspirational
reflective
When to use this quote
- meditation
- creative work
- leadership
- teaching
Key Concepts
Sufism
mindfulness
inner vision
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance spiritual alertness with everyday duties?
- What practices keep you spiritually awake?
A Different Perspective
Such detachment may hinder practical responsibilities.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
