Arşivler (page 3 of 4)

Mayıs 9, 2023

8 THINGS BEGINNERS SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN STARTING TO LEARN sufı flut ney

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN STARTING TO LEARN THE SUFI FLUT NEY

The ney is a mystical instrument that affects and nourishes the human soul. It is an integral part of Sufi music and philosophy. Here are some practical tips for those who are starting to learn the ney:

Choosing the right and quality ney:

Before starting to learn the ney, it is important to choose the appropriate type of ney. The most commonly preferred type is the Kız Ney (in the key of B), which is a good starting point. At first, you may think that your fingers cannot reach the holes, but you are not alone. Many people experience this at the beginning. However, as you continue to practice regularly, you can easily cover the holes.
Another important point is to buy a quality ney. If you start with a bad ney, your motivation may decrease and your learning process may be negatively affected.

Patience, patience, patience:

Learning the ney is a process that requires patience. There are no shortcuts to the worthwhile paths. You may experience difficulties at the beginning, but this is a common experience for everyone. You may initially have difficulty making sounds, but later you can achieve flute-like sounds. This is a sign that you are on the right track. No one can make beautiful sounds right away, so keep blowing with patience. Start the journey and the path will appear.

A good teacher:

A teacher not only teaches you the instrument technically, but also instills a philosophy, posture, and attitude. They support your perseverance and increase your motivation. If you do not have the chance to find a one-on-one teacher, you can make progress with online lessons. (I will be posting ney lessons on YouTube soon. Stay tuned.)

Consistency:

The key to success is consistency. Many people start enthusiastically, work intensively in the first days and weeks, then the frequency of their practice decreases and eventually they give up the ney. What you need to do is set realistic goals and practice every day, even if it is only fifteen minutes. However, practice regularly without interruption and you may be surprised where you are after a year.

Control over breath:

You must learn to use diaphragmatic breathing properly to blow the ney. It is important to use diaphragmatic breathing, especially for long and uninterrupted blows. In the ney, different sounds are obtained only by increasing the breath intensity, so good breath control is necessary for clean and smooth transitions between these sounds.

Music knowledge:

If your goal is to become a professional and perform music with other musicians, it is important to learn music theory and note knowledge. However, if you only want to integrate with your own taste and the spirituality of the ney or learn a few pieces, note knowledge is not necessary.

Listening is as important as blowing:

Listening to your favorite ney players and master ney players is as important as blowing the ney. Whatever you feed on, you will start to produce those sounds from your ney unconsciously. Remember, learning the ney is accomplished by blowing the ney as well as listening to the ney.

Continuous improvement:

Learning the ney is a journey of development. If you also learn the philosophy of the ney and Sufi philosophy while learning the ney, you will see that your development process goes more smoothly and easily.

In short, the basic points to consider in the process of learning the ney are patience, choosing the right and quality ney, a good teacher, breath control, music knowledge, listening, and continuous improvement. By following these suggestions, you can increase your chances of success in learning to play the ney and experience the rich experience offered by this mystical instrument. Learning the ney not only develops your musical skills, but also offers a different perspective and inner peace. When you start this journey, you will continue to add meaning to your life by constantly improving yourself in the mystical world of the ney.

DOES HAKAN MENGUC GIVE ONE-ON-ONE NEY LESSONS?

This is a question we are frequently asked. Under normal circumstances, I do not give ney lessons due to my busy schedule and priorities. However, I give one-on-one ney lessons to those who support the Youth Project or make a certain amount of book donations for village schools to contribute to these projects. For those who cannot afford it, I am planning to publish free ney lessons on YouTube soon.

Nisan 11, 2023

The Ney: A Symbol of Spiritual Connection in Sufi Music and Philosophy

The ney is a traditional Turkish flute that holds a significant place in both Sufi music and Sufi philosophy. Typically made from reed, the ney is a long and curved instrument. Closely associated with Sufism, the ney has a melancholic and meditative sound quality that reflects the mystical and spiritual atmosphere.

The ney is frequently used in Sufi music rituals and Sufi meditations. At the same time, the ney is considered an instrument symbolizing the inner journey of a person and their connection with God in Sufism.

The 13th-century Sufi poet and scholar, Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, often utilized the ney in his works. Rumi’s famous work, “Masnavi,” begins with a reference to the symbolic importance of the ney: “Listen! How the ney complains, how it tells of separations.” These lines are believed to indicate the yearning for divine love and unity, which is thought to have been severed from the essence of humans.

Hakan Menguc: The Renowned Ney Virtuoso and Sufi Philosopher

Hakan Menguc is a well-known ney virtuoso and author of 8 books on Sufi philosophy. His books are widely read in 25 countries.

Menguc has been playing the ney since his childhood and has given numerous ney concerts around the world. He is also a highly listened-to ney artist on platforms such as Youtube, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Menguc’s music reflects not only his unique ney playing technique but also Sufi philosophy and culture. His deeply meaningful and emotionally charged performances leave listeners in awe.

As a writer, Menguc inspires readers with his books on Sufi philosophy and the meaning of life. His inspirational messages encourage people to discover themselves, find meaning in life, and create a more loving world.

Hakan Menguc is a globally respected artist whose music and works touch the lives of many.

Nisan 1, 2023

You are what you are looking for

If you are searching for something, it is within YOU. “If you are searching for the guesthouse of the soul, you are the soul. If you are searching for a piece of bread, you are bread. If you are searching for a drop of water, you are thirst. If you are searching for love, you are a lover.. If you understand this point, it means you understand the matter so again

Whatever you are searching for, it is within YOU.”

That is why

If you know what you are searching for, you also know who you are…
Hakan MENGÜÇ

Remember that whatever you are searching for in this world, it is also searching for you.

Every step you take in this pursuit is valuable.

Believe me, it is not in vain. I admit that sometimes you don’t find what you’re looking for, but you can be sure that those who find are always the ones who search.

Mevlana, throughout his life, embarked on the pursuit of many things, a very valuable philosopher and thinker. He sought knowledge, love, nothingness, wisdom, and the way throughout his life…

During this journey, he also searched for a companion who would guide him, open up his horizon, a soulmate, a confidant, a fellow traveler…

He even put his search into verses at times: “Who can see me as I am? I have no color, no insignia. I do not know when this heart will be still.”

While talking about his pursuit, he also offers a very important wisdom to those who understand… Mevlana’s writing is very noteworthy in this respect, in my opinion. Because he directly states some of the information he wants to convey, but he also hides them under obscure and deep expressions and meanings from time to time. He codes them, he does not openly reveal them, he covers them up. Most of his poems are full of these types of codings.

These are the secrets of knowledge that have been sealed. They are not for everyone, but for those who are ready to open themselves up to them… They require maturity, vision, intelligence, intuition, and sensitivity.

Mevlana chooses to open some of his teachings to an active reader and does it with great mastery, with poetry. Let’s stay on the poem I gave as an example and look at Mevlana’s teachings that he concealed:

“Who can see me as I am? I have no color, no insignia. I do not know when this heart will be still.”

Do you know who “friend” is, my fellow traveler?

Friend is someone who understands the state of being. A friend is someone who can hear not only what you say but also what you do not say. Sometimes, while walking your own path in this world, you will feel very lonely. You will feel alone even in the crowds. You may even say to yourself that you are a lonely traveler without anyone to rely on.

You will complain that nobody can see you as you are, complete and whole. You will complain that nobody understands you, notices you, or realizes your existence.

Maybe you will feel like disappearing, the desire to disappear, the need to leave everything behind, and go away. You will want to disappear so that someone will find you, see you, notice you, and understand you.

You will wish for someone to notice your absence immediately, to follow you, to make an effort for you, to pull you out from a narrow and obscure hole that nobody would ever think of. You will want someone to realize your worth. You will wait motionless, hidden, not to be erased but to be discovered in a corner.

At the point where you think you have become completely worthless, you will think that even living has lost its importance. Everything will seem meaningless, bad, and always against you. You will probably have no more enthusiasm, hope, or desire to take even one step forward. You will think it’s over.

But that is where everything begins, be careful. That is where your fate will change.

Mevlana was also a lonely man in the midst of crowds. Outwardly, his surroundings were crowded, his life was full of people, everyone loved him and respected him. But nobody understood him, nobody saw his true self, they saw an idealized image of him. Who was there to truly understand amidst these crowds?

Who was there to hear even their silence?

Who was there to see the invisible in them?

No one!

No one at all…

But still, they continued their search. It had become what they were searching for over time. Both friend, master, travel companion, guide, and path…

Mevlana expressed their search with these words:

“Just as a thirsty lip seeks water, water also seeks a thirsty lip.”

Then one day, what happened?

They found what they were looking for.

A friend came to Konya from thousands of kilometers away.

Their name was Shams-i Tabrizi…

They became a friend who shone like the sun, accompanied Mevlana in writing the Mesnevi, and was filled with love for them.

They had changed and supported Mevlana so much that they described in these verses how they had become complete and whole…

“My eye’s light has come.

If you have asked for something else,

Here I am, that something else.”

Now listen well, my travel companion. Whatever you complain about in your life, know that you have found it because you were searching for it. Therefore, pay attention to what you are searching for. Because what you are searching for is what you are.

If you are searching for love, then you are love. If you are searching for a friend, then you are a friend. If you are searching for knowledge, then you are knowledge. If you are searching for enthusiasm, then you are enthusiasm. If you are searching for peace, then you are peace. If you are searching for success, then you are success.

Your mind and tongue may be tripping you up, be aware. Your mind is a good manipulator, don’t fall into its trap.

A person seeking success doesn’t go to work grumbling in the morning. If you are complaining about working, then what you are seeking is failure, so don’t blame anyone else.

A person seeking love doesn’t criticize or judge the people around them. If you are not extending a helping hand to anyone or generously offering tolerance, then what you are seeking is not love, but loneliness, so don’t blame anyone else.

A person seeking a friend doesn’t act selfishly or lie. If you are not giving anyone trust, only thinking of yourself, or always changing your mind, then what you are seeking is not friendship, but hostility, so don’t blame anyone else.

Stop and think, would you want to be a travel companion with yourself? Would you trust yourself forever? Would you agree with yourself in any situation? Would you turn your back on yourself? Would you attach yourself to yourself? Would you dedicate your life to yourself? Your answers will change the rest of your journey from top to bottom, so be honest please.

Pay attention to what you are searching for.

Look at what you are really pursuing, not just what you appear to be searching for. Look at your actions, thoughts, choices, attitudes, words, feelings, and heart.

Because a person is only what they are searching for, not someone else…

Mart 29, 2023

Sufism: The Path of Inner Quest

Origin and history of Sufism

Sufism began with a woman named Rabia and spread throughout the Muslim world. It drew inspiration from the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and the sayings and practices of the early Islamic mystics. Over time, Sufism developed its own unique practices, beliefs, and rituals, which vary from region to region.

The essence of Sufism

At the heart of Sufism is the concept of tawhid, which means the oneness of God. Sufis believe that God is present in all things and that by turning inward, they can connect with the divine presence within themselves. They seek to attain a state of spiritual purity, known as fana, in which the ego is dissolved, and the individual becomes one with God.

Practices and beliefs of Sufism

Sufism is characterized by a variety of practices, including the recitation of poetry, music, and dance, which are used as tools for meditation and contemplation. Sufis also engage in a variety of devotional practices, such as fasting, charity, and pilgrimage. Sufis believe in the importance of spiritual guidance from a master or teacher, known as a sheikh or murshid.

Conclusion

In a world full of materialism and superficiality, Sufism provides a path towards inner peace and spiritual enlightenment. Its emphasis on the inward search for God and the dissolution of the ego is a powerful antidote to the stresses and pressures of modern life. By following the teachings and practices of the Sufi masters, individuals can connect with the divine presence within themselves and experience the joy and beauty of a life lived in harmony with the divine.

Mart 2, 2023

Hush My Heart

Hush my heart!

Hush for a moment…

Spring is coming soon just hold on my heart

I know your heart, like the invisible waves in the sea.

I wouldn’t stop you if there was another way than waiting. Believe me!

But no, there is no other way.

Don’t forget that even a medicine needs time to work.

Even a flower needs time to open.

Hush my heart!

Until spring comes after winter, morning comes after night,

long distances gets shorter,

a relief comes after tough times and hush until you have tears of happiness in your eyes.

Hush my heart!

After all these silence hush and have faith that everything will work out for the best.

Şubat 20, 2023

Don’t say you wıll do ıt tomorrow, today was yesterday’s tomorrow

Imagine if we go together to open a bank account for you.
In this bank account, there will be about 1440 lira deposited every single day.
You can use the money in the account, you can save it. Basically, you are free to do whatever you would like with the money deposited in your account.
But there is only one thing you need to know: the money deposited into your account will not be kept in your account tomorrow. Like another 1440 lira will be deposited but whatever you don’t use from the previous day will not be accumulated or saved…you will lose it if you don’t use it. We will name the account: “time.”

Now why did I use the specific amount of 1440 lira because that is minutes, we have each day.
Each day consists of 1440 minutes that we either take advantage of and use or we waste it.

I am asking you to consider and think of one important question:

“Am I using my time wisely or am I wasting it?”

To help us answer this question, he imposes a set of questions:
–Did you learn anything today that can help you improve yourself? -Were you surprised by something today?
-Did you do something that you usually fear to do?
-Did you step out of your comfort zone?
-Did you take a good care of your body?
-Did you take a good care of your mental health or mind?
-Did you speak to one of your loved ones today?

If your answer is “YES” to the majority of the questions that means that you are making a good use of your time.
If your answer is “NO” to the majority of the questions that means that unfortunately you are not using your time wisely or more correctly you are wasting the generous gift of time.

Father Augustine’s quote: Basically, he mentions that we can’t understand time by asking what it is instead by not asking we can understand what it is and that’s by living and experiencing.

-Therefore, He doesn’t provide us with a simple definition of what time is because he mentions that there is no definition that can fit to describe what time actually is and he mentions that we already know what time is, in fact is one of the things that we fear losing it is the most because we can’t have it back once it’s gone.

Just like “Soul”, once it leaves our bodies there is no way to return it.

We continue to waste our time without realizing it because we keep thinking that we will have another 1440 minutes in our account tomorrow and we can make up for the things we miss tomorrow but what we tend to ignore or don’t realize that the 1440 minutes we lost today it’s gone, and it’s not been transferred to our tomorrow’s account.

So don’t waste your time thinking of what people think or do, don’t chase the impossible, don’t get into fights that benefits you nothing but wasting your time. Take care of yourself, talk with your loved ones, listen to people, learn new words, new things, research, work for what you love or dream to achieve.

Don’t waste your time and energy on worldly things, on things that will get you too nowhere.

We complain most of the time that we don’t have time. In fact, we have enough time to achieve what we want it’s just a matter of organizing our times. Now for sure we are not robots and maybe we are not able all the time to organize our time minute by minute and sometimes things happen that change our plans and schedules completely, but it is important to recognize the value of time and don’t let it slip away from our hands.

I can talk about my experience in writing this book, because I wrote in the most tiring and difficult times for myself as well. As I was busy with camps and seminars inside and outside Istanbul, but I said that my commitment to writing at 6 am wherever I was. So that I was able to finish this book.

And I also want to mention that anyone who has a control over their bodies and mind have the ability to organize their times as well.

Invest your time in things and people that will move you up not pull you down. Do you the job you love or at least try to love what you do or find aspects in your current job that you love until you find what you love to do. If you lose the sense of time when you are working that means that you are already doing what you love.

-Example: They asked two construction workers, working on a cathedral in the Middle Ages what they were doing? The first one answered: I carry stones all the time and turn them into rectangular blocks” the second worker answered: I am building a cathedral.

What about you? Which worker are you?

Time, is the most precious aspect or thing in life, be careful to who you give it!
OZDEMIR ASAF

Don’t’ say I don’t have time. Use the 1440 minutes deposited into your account every single day. Don’t say I will do it tomorrow or I will see you tomorrow because the 1440 won’t be transferred into tomorrow’s account. And remember that today was yesterday’s tomorrow.

Aralık 10, 2022

The philosophy of water

The philosophy of water …

“Then let me tell you the answer,” I replied and revealed it with a little story:

The nature of water manifests a philosophy. Think about water coming down from a mountain. It takes the path of least resistance. If there is a rock in the way, the water will not struggle with it. It continues to flow around that rock instead. Inspired by this phenomenon of nature, Sufis say, “Do not deal with anyone who would obstruct your path. If you do, you will be stuck at the same place. Find another way to reach your destination.”

Let’s presume that after coming down from the mountain, the water comes to a path that does not allow for it to go around the rock. In this case, the water accumulates and crosses over; or it gradually builds up its pressure, weakens the rock mass, and breaks down the rock. The nature of water shows that even what seems impossible can be achieved, and this requires patience and perserverance.

After the water goes through the rock, it continues on its course again. It is cleaned as it flows further. Occasionally, we see puddles form on the streamside. Water that does not flow becomes cloudy and muddy. That’s why Sufis say, “You must flow like water. You should renew and start your day with a clean slate. Do not fall into the same routine and do not think about the past. Move on, keep flowing and learning new things today.”

Water is not afraid of changes. It can tell you how changes come in many beautiful forms. It transforms into rain, snow, ice, and steam. Then the steam rises into the sky, and descends to the ground again as rain.

Water is adaptable; it has no definite shape. When you put water into a container, it turns into the shape of whatever it occupies. Even though it constantly adapts, its nature never changes. Those who are in harmony with nature always survive because they go with the flow which enhances their potential to grow. Being flexible means less likely to break when strong forces are encountered. Those who resist change are like stiff trees that do not bend with the wind when the storms beat down on them. On the other hand, palm trees, seedlings, and grass survive the storm because they bend in the wind.

Water becomes a stream and all streams eventually split into a number of streamlets and flow into the sea. This analogy means doing your best when life breaks you into pieces. We should learn to accept ourselves at all stages in life. Even if we are in pieces, ultimately we will find a way to be whole again as long as we are like water. As they say, “Water flows and finds its own way.” If you live like water, you will flow and find your way. The pattern of water is the pattern of life.

“This is why Sufis repeat this quote to each other, ‘Be like the water, my friend.’”

(from Hakan Mengüç // No Encounter is By Chance)

Kasım 10, 2022

A Story about value

A professor at the university wrote a big “1” on the blackboard. Then he turned to his students and said, “Look, this means ‘personality’, a ‘character’. It is the most valuable thing you have in life.” Then he put a “0” on the right of the “1”. “This means ‘success’. What makes ‘1’ a ‘10’ is by having ‘success’ by its side.” He added another “0” to the right of the “10” and showed the students the number “100” and said, “This means ‘experience’.” Another “0” was added next to the number “100” making the number “1000” and he told the students it meant “talent”. Then the professor spoke of discipline, conscience, and tolerance as he added more zeros to the right of the numbers on the blackboard. “An infinite amount of zeros can be added.” he said. “It is your choice.”

He emphasized how the zeros enriched the “character”. Then he did something unexpected. Going back to the starting point, he erased the first number of “1” and said to his students, “If you don’t have a character, all you would get is zeros. And no matter how many zeros you get, without a number in front of them, they would never be a number bigger than zero. Those who do not have a personality or a character, no matter how talented and knowledgeable they are, all they will have is a huge pile of zeroes.

This philosophy played a huge role in my life. I have seen knowledgeable, talented, and successful people that have no personality. The people who have a unique personality really add value to themselves. Even if they are not as successful as others, their great personality is their strongest advantage.

(from Hakan Mengüç // No Encounter is By Chance)

Ekim 10, 2022

Sufi Story

The story of pilgrimage of Bayezid-i Bestami

“Bayezid-i Bestami has a famous story. While tutoring his students one day, the squire of the village came over to him and asked with a sarcastic tone in his voice, ‘Aren’t you going on a pilgrimage this year?’ No one answered him, so the squire kept talking, ‘I’m going on pilgrimage for the fifth time,’ he said, wanting to brag and show his superiority. ‘Shall I bring something for you from there?’ he asked in a mocking tone. ‘Why are you going on a pilgrimage?’ asked Bayezid-i Bestami. ‘It is the same thing, even if you have done it seven more times.’

The squire became very angry. “Mister,” he said, raising his voice.

“Do you know what you’re talking about? This is blasphemy.”

Bayezid-i Bestami responded to the squire in a very calm manner. “Ever since that building was established, Allah hasn’t been inside it even once. Allah has never come out of this poor person’s heart.” “Very nice. What a beautiful story,” Azra said, sighing deeply. Her previous exasperation had cooled down.

“Hacı Bektaş Veli summarized this story in a wonderful quatrain. It goes like this.”

The redness is on the fire, not on the plate.
The dervish is in the head, not in the crown. Whatever you look for, look at yourself
Not in Jerusalem, not in Mecca, not in pilgrimage.

(from Hakan Mengüç // No Encounter is By Chance)

Eylül 10, 2022

5 sufi principles

5 Sufi Principles

1. No encounter is by chance in this world that is full of great adventures. Everyone we meet teaches us something.

2. If you start with a pure intent to understand and learn, if you put down your arrogance, you will surely be ready when you encounter wise people who will teach you what you need to know.

3. Each journey has its own challenges. However, the difficulties and obstacles waiting ahead are not designed to weaken you. Their purpose is to educate and mature you.

4. Every living creature, every human being comes to this world with a purpose. Everyone discovers their own purpose as they live through each day. Therefore, when one learns to read and follow the signs, it will lead them to their goal. Reading life begins with knowing the first word of the Qur’an: Read!*

5. Never forget this…completion is not extinction. On the contrary, even death is not an end but a new beginning. The end of something in life is always conducive to the beginning of something better. As long as you go with the flow and stay calm.*

* The first word revealed from Allah upon the Prophet PBUH was Iqra› /Read

From Hakan Menguc’s book “No encounter by chance”