ادبیات عرفانی (Jul 2024)
Analysis of the Semiotics and Functions of Dream and "Spiritual Phenomenon" in the Ṣafwat al-Ṣafā of Ibn Bazzāz Ardabīlī
Abstract
The linguistic symbols present in a particular work can convey a multitude of meanings contingent upon the mystic's spiritual experiences, temporal conditions, status, and life. A primary objective and methodology of semiotics is to investigate this horizon of meaning and reveal the process of creating meaning. Umberto Eco, through his mastery of various methods of semiotic analysis and the unique qualities of each method, has attempted to develop a synthetic and interpretative theory of semiotics. In this article, Ṣafwat al-Ṣafā, written by Ibn Bazzāz, has been chosen as the primary source for the study and research of dream and spiritual phenomena. Ṣafwat al-Ṣafā is a collection of the spiritual experiences of Sheikh Ṣafī al-Dīn Ardabīlī and his mentor, Sheikh Zāhed Gīlānī. This research aims to elucidate the process of producing spiritual phenomenon and its comprehension and interpretation. The research findings indicate that, although spiritual phenomena are typically considered as a message for the spiritual wayfarer (sālik) from the realm of archetypes (ʿālam maʿnā), from the perspective of the theory of "sign creation" and spiritual phenomenon, it is a coin which on one side is the path of communication between the spiritual wayfarer and the world of archetypes, and on the other side is message from the world of the archetypes to the spiritual wayfarer. The spiritual wayfarer is the recipient of this message; however, he is not able to comprehend the meaning of the message. They can only convert the message to linguistic signs. The pīr(spiritual guide) is the interpreter of the spiritual phenomenon, and it is the pīr who reveals the primary message of the phenomenon to the spiritual wayfarer. Furthermore, spiritual phenomena are signs that have different functions, such as the endeavor to "find the Truth" and "educational functions."
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