Sufis and Secret Signs

Your letters reminded me of something – more precisely, SI's story about secret signs. Once, he was visiting a friend in Dushanbe (the capital of Tajikistan). There is a certain Green Bazaar there. Visitors are usually told that "Green" comes from "greens," meaning fruits and vegetables. But in reality, this market is named so because of the gatherings of Sufis, whose traditional attire is a light-green robe and a dark-green turban.

SI recounted that in the center of the bazaar there is a large fountain where believers wash their feet and faces before Salat (prayer). Near this fountain, Sufi contests take place. These are either musical battles or backgammon (a Muslim game with dice and tokens) competitions. During these contests, more powerful Sufis arrange various intriguing situations that unfold around this fountain.

In short, SI met a certain Sufi there; he was led to a teahouse where other "red-haired ones" (as Slavs and even Tatars are called) are not permitted past the threshold, and there SI underwent an initiation based on secret symbols. He was not only taught the method of their visualization but also given liquid honey with hashish to drink, and then introduced into the magical Sufi world. SI brought back from this journey (to Tajikistan) a massive book with Sufi ornaments. He says they are more potent than mandalas and yantras – more energetic.