Drawing from the wisdom of Sultan al-Awliya Shaykh Muhammad Nazim Adil al-Haqqani (qs), I reflect in this episode on a brief but deeply impactful teaching about our relationship with the world. We explore the contrast between two oceans: the ocean of light and spirit that flows from the Divine Presence, and the ocean of dunya, the material world, which veils us from essential reality. The ego craves the material, the temporary, the apparent—but the soul longs for something subtler, more lasting: truth, light, and connection with Allah Almighty.

The Shaykh reminds us that our over-attachment to the world is the root of much of our suffering. The modern pursuit of endless consumption and accumulation leads to spiritual sickness, yet it never satisfies. It’s like drinking from the ocean—salt water that only makes us thirstier. One of the key metaphors here is: “When a man is thirsty, he imagines he drinks all the rivers and springs, yet one glass is enough.” This one line encapsulates the heart of spiritual minimalism.

Through this lens, we revisit the prophetic path of asceticism—taking only what is necessary, living simply, and remaining unattached to the material world while using it in service to truth and eternity. I also reflect on how even good things like home, family, and wealth only benefit us spiritually when approached with the right intention and non-attachment. It’s not about rejecting the world, but about ensuring it doesn’t root itself in our hearts.