FROM SUFFERING TO SURRENDER: SUFI PERSPECTIVES ON ADVERSITY AND RESILIENCE
Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya, Cemalnur Sargut
Türk Kültürü ve HACI BEKTAŞ VELİ Araştırma Dergisi September 28, 2026 DOI: 10.60163/tkhcbva.1767248 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Sufi notions of adversity and resilience are inseparable from a metaphysical worldview of divine unity, making them fundamentally incompatible with secular mindfulness approaches that treat adversity as a stressor to be managed. Proposes that integrating Sufi principles into contemporary resilience frameworks requires respecting these cosmological and existential differences. |
Abstract
This article critically reexamines the concepts of adversity and resilience within the framework of Sufi thought, situating them against the backdrop of contemporary secular mindfulness practices. While mindfulness-based approaches typically treat adversity as a stressor to be managed, Sufi teachings view trials as essential opportunities for spiritual transformation, rooted in a metaphysical worldview that perceives all existence as a reflection of divine unity (wahdat al-wujud). This study highlights how attempts to bridge Sufi practices with modern therapeutic frameworks often fail to account for the fundamental cosmological and existential differences between these systems. Through a close reading of classical Sufi texts and an analysis of key concepts—such as divine will, sabr (patience), and tawakkul (trust)—this article identifies how Sufi notions of resilience are deeply interwoven with their understanding of existence, the cosmos, and human anthropology. By proposing a more nuanced approach to integrating these teachings, this study offers a critical contribution to current humanities discourse, advocating a respectful, contextually accurate adaptation of Sufi principles into contemporary resilience frameworks without diminishing their sacred nature.