His First Advice

In the Holy Spirit, Ibn al-Arabi says:

This master came to Seville when I was just beginning to acquire knowledge of the Way. I was one of those who visited him. When I met him for the first time I found him to be one devoted to the practice of Invocation. Immediately when he saw me, he knew the spiritual need that had brought me to see him. He asked me: Are you firmly resolved to follow God’s Way?

I replied: The servant may resolve, but it is God Who decides the issue. Then he said to me: If you will shut out the world from you, sever all ties and take the Bounteous alone as your companion, He will speak with you without the need for any intermediary.

I then pursued this course until I had succeeded.