Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya, a faculty member at Üsküdar University Institute for Sufi Studies, who was an academician at Harvard University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) between 2022-2024, explained how Sufism contributes to the modern human's inner world, daily life, and social peace in the 21st century.
Dr. Yalçınkaya, who stated that the Sufi tradition has been offering spiritual healing for centuries, said, “Today's people are under intense stress; minds are constantly busy, hearts are weary. One of the solutions offered by Sufism is the practice of staying in the moment and reliance on God (tevekkül). A very simple dhikr or breathing exercise that can be applied in daily life can help reduce stress and help individuals return to their center.”
Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya, a faculty member at Üsküdar University Institute for Sufi Studies, explained the ancient solutions offered by Sufism to problems such as stress, loneliness, and the void of meaning experienced by people in the 21st century.
Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya, who served as an academic (post-doctoral researcher) at Harvard University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) between 2022-2024, gave presentations and recitals on Mevlevi Sufi music at Harvard during this period and developed academic projects on the healing effects of traditional Turkish makam music. Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya, who is currently involved in the Sufi poetry and music workshop series titled “Bridge of Two Easts,” conducted in collaboration with Kyoto University, addressed how Sufism contributes to the modern human's inner world, daily life, and social peace in the 21st century.
21st Century Human in Spiritual Loneliness
Pointing out that modern humans are in spiritual loneliness, Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya said, "Sufism fundamentally guides a person's inner journey. It teaches us to nourish our heart world, which we neglect in the hustle and bustle, and to purify our essence through self-discipline. The 21st-century human is more connected technologically than ever before, but spiritually, they can feel lonely and purposeless. Sufism fills this void by offering humans the opportunity to know themselves and their Lord. For example, in Sufism, there is the principle ‘He who knows himself knows his Lord’; when a person turns to their inner world and recognizes their self (nafs), they actually discover the reflection of Divine truth within their own essence. This process reinforces the sense of identity and meaning that modern humans seek."
Many People Today Are Swayed by Stress and Anxiety
Expressing that Sufism's contribution to our inner world is bringing spiritual depth and peace, Dr. Yalçınkaya said, “Today, many people are swayed by stress and anxiety; however, Sufi practices – such as dhikr (remembrance of Allah) or contemplation (deep thinking/meditation) – bring the mind to tranquility and calm the heart. In my humble academic and personal experience, I have seen that Sufi poetry and music can directly touch the hearts of individuals. If the poems of Mevlânâ Celâleddîn Rûmî transcend centuries and still inspire millions of people today, it is precisely because Sufism can address the longings within humans. Rumi's message is universal: ‘We were created with love,’ he says, and the modern human's inner world can be revived with this message of love and compassion.”
Sufism Has Been Offering Spiritual Healing for Centuries
Reminding that the Sufi tradition has been offering spiritual healing for centuries, Dr. Yalçınkaya stated, “Today's people are under intense stress; minds are constantly busy, and hearts are weary. One of the solutions offered by Sufism is the practice of staying in the moment and reliance on God (tevekkül). Sufis advise to appreciate the present moment and surrender to God for what we cannot control. This perspective surprisingly aligns with mindfulness and acceptance approaches in modern psychology. For example, a very simple dhikr or breathing exercise that can be applied in daily life can help reduce stress and help individuals return to their center.”
Traditional Turkish Makam Music Has Healing Effects
Stating that ancient physicians and Sufis tried to treat different emotional states with makams such as rast, hüzzam, and segâh, and that she herself conducted academic projects on the healing effects of traditional Turkish makam music, Dr. Yalçınkaya said that she personally witnessed the calming and unifying power of music on people at events like 'The Healing Effect of Makams' which she attended in Harvard and Cambridge.
Stating that the feeling of loneliness is one of the greatest spiritual wounds of our age, Dr. Yalçınkaya said, “Sufism makes people feel that they are not alone; because, according to this teaching, humans are always in the presence and love of the Truth (Haqq). Mevlânâ says in one of his quatrains: ‘Loneliness belongs to Allah; once you are with Him, you are never alone.’ Indeed, a person who feels divine love in their heart understands that they are essentially a member of the cosmic family. Furthermore, in Sufism, there is a tradition of sohbet (spiritual discourse) and dervish lodges (dergâh): people would gather in tekke environments and engage in heartfelt conversations. Today, perhaps there are no tekkes, but there is a need for modern versions of this tradition.”
Sufism Offers Existential Guidance to Humans
Expressing that Sufism offers existential guidance to humans in their search for meaning, Dr. Yalçınkaya said, “The modern individual asking 'Why am I here, what is the purpose of life?' can find the answers to these questions in Sufi teachings. The Sufi teaching says: ‘You came to this world as a seed; you are here to mature and bear fruit.’ That is, to realize one's potential, to ripen, and to comprehend the Truth (Haqiqat) is the purpose of humanity. This perspective offers a unique contribution to filling the void of meaning. Indeed, in the field of positive psychology, the connection between spirituality and the sense of meaning with happiness is also emphasized.”
Chasing Materialism Can Hinder Happiness
Dr. Yalçınkaya, who stated that she gave presentations on 'Mevlânâ and Happiness' on platforms such as the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) and observed that the truths expressed by Rumi centuries ago still create a therapeutic effect on a global scale today, said, “Mevlânâ emphasized that the fundamental happiness of a human lies in devotion to a spiritual source and stated that excessive worldly ambitions disturb peace. Modern science also reveals today that chasing materialism can hinder happiness. This means that the Sufi lifestyle – moderation, gratitude, love, and service – can offer a powerful prescription for today's people to achieve the psychological well-being they seek.”
Mevlana’s Spiritual Path, a Transcendent Source of Inspiration
Stating that Mevlevism, or Mevlânâ’s spiritual path, is a transcendent source of inspiration, Dr. Yalçınkaya remarked, “Today, when people go to Konya and watch the sema ceremonies, they don't just see an aesthetic ritual; they also witness a symbolic representation of humanity's search for truth. The movement of the whirling dervish whispers to modern humans: ‘While you spin around your own axis, do not forget your center; let Allah always be at your center.’ This message is a call for deep focus and centering for the scattered minds of today. The principles of tolerance and love in Mevlevism also shed light on today.”
Sufism’s Vast Cultural Heritage Continues to Be a Source of Inspiration
Expressing that she observed how Sufis during the Ottoman period did not withdraw in the face of modernization but rather tried to adapt the universal messages of Sufism to the new social structure, Dr. Yalçınkaya said, “Today, too, the vast cultural heritage of Sufism, especially Mevlevism, continues to be a source of inspiration for both individual development and social renewal.”
Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya noted that one of the most beautiful aspects of Sufism is its ability to appeal to people's hearts regardless of language, religion, or culture. She stated, “In this respect, Sufism is an extraordinarily effective tool for cultural diplomacy. Music is the universal language of Sufism. Through music and art, a bridge can be built from heart to heart without the need for any translation.”
Sufi Culture Offers a Common Ground for Dialogue Worldwide
Explaining that the universal messages of Sufism have also garnered great interest on international dialogue platforms, Dr. Yalçınkaya said, “Mevlânâ, in today's world, is perhaps the most renowned Eastern poet-philosopher; his poems have been translated into many languages, and he is still among the most read poets even in America today. His call, summarized as ‘Come, whoever you may be, come again,’ is essentially a manifesto for peaceful coexistence. Sufi culture offers a common ground for dialogue worldwide.”
Sufism Softens Hearts
Dr. Yalçınkaya also emphasized that the values inherent in Sufism are like the leaven of social peace, concluding her words as follows:
“Because Sufism instills virtues such as tolerance, humility, and service in us. If individuals in a society are imbued with these virtues, then social peace will undoubtedly be strengthened. When we look at the Ottoman period in history, the role of Sufi culture was significant in the ability of different ethnic and religious groups to coexist relatively harmoniously for centuries. Mevlevi lodges and Bektashi dervish convents opened their doors not only to members of their own orders but to people from all walks of life; the poor were fed in soup kitchens, and travelers were hosted in guesthouses. These were among the most concrete examples of social solidarity. Because Sufism embraces the understanding of ‘love the created for the sake of the Creator,’ it rejects othering. If people see the manifestation of the Truth (Haqq) in one another, differences cease to be a cause of conflict and are seen as richness. Sufism contributes to the development of a culture of coexistence by softening hearts and instilling compassion in people.”