When you go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, it is almost impossible not to be charmed by the Sufi trail if you read that the trail follows the old Ottoman pilgrim route to Mecca. When preparing my trip I first thought of following one of the old Crusader routes. That scoured my pacifist beliefs. In that sense, the discovery of the Sufi trail was a godsend.
For me, pilgrimage in the 21st century is more than just going to a holy place. Of course, Jerusalem is important because of its high symbolic value. The city is the sacred place where three religions are at home.
The more to the east, the more the trusted world disappears. Does not pilgrimage begin when, as a pilgrim, you succeed in keeping familiar ways of perception and judgment broad? That requires practice and patience.
As preparation, I am taking a Turkish course in the hope that this will provide some flexibility during meetings. In the meantime, my curiosity has aroused about Sufism. My little reading round teaches me that it is far from easy to describe this phenomenon. The mystical tradition of Islam, Islamic mysticism, the mystical heart of Islam to list some book titles.
My discovery starts on April 19th. I have faith in it. Going the road will give unexpected answers. Konya, the goal of this stage, keeps the desire alive. In June I hope to eat cherries in the city of Mevlana.
Marcel Schuurmans
