VALLEY OF THE QUEST
In the main valley, it is said that once you enter, you must overcome the most arduous trials. The birds that embark on their journey in search of the Simorgh are consumed by an ever-growing desire to continue the pursuit. Driven by an intense longing to uncover the ultimate mystery, they become fearless, even in the face of the mythical dragons that dwell within the soul. When the door to this truth finally opens, the duality of "Faith and Treachery" ceases to exist, for the threshold erases all distinctions and unifies everything into oneness. In this part of the book, Attar shares the story of a fool who prays to God, pleading for the door to be opened. However, Rabi'a, upon hearing his prayer, responds with wisdom, telling him that the door has always been open. She encourages him to open his eyes and stay steadfast in his purpose.
VALLEY OF LOVE
In this valley, it is said that one must embody the essence of fire; love burns brightly as the fire, while the mind drifts like smoke, transient and elusive. To perceive the source of true love, a divine gift is required—a new eye, a deeper vision that transcends the ordinary. When this sacred eye opens, you will uncover and partake in the profound secrets embedded in every atom of the universe. Love is not just an emotion but the flame that ignites the soul, guiding it through the veils of existence. The mind, though a powerful tool, can only glimpse the surface; it is love that reveals the depths. With the opening of this inner sight, the mysteries of creation will no longer be hidden, but will flow into your being like an eternal river. You will see the infinite connections between all things, and every particle of the cosmos will speak its truth to you. This journey is the awakening of a soul to its divine purpose.
VALLEY OF KNOWLEDGE
Here, the body and mind part ways, each embarking on its own distinct journey. At this juncture, every individual must confront their own boundaries and come to understand their limitations. The ultimate goal is to attain perfection, a state where intimacy with the divine source is determined by the purity of one’s spirit. As the radiant sun of knowledge begins to illuminate this path, individuals will uncover the highest potential within themselves. No longer will they see just the superficial layers of their soul; instead, they will gaze into its very essence, shedding the outer peel to reveal the core of their being. In this realm, the only guiding principles are blood and sacrifice, symbolic of the dedication and surrender required to transcend worldly constraints. The journey demands unwavering courage, for it is not a path of ease but one of trials and revelations. Here, the seeker realizes that perfection is not a destination but a continual evolution, a becoming rather than a being. Every step forward brings the traveler closer to a truth that exists beyond comprehension, where dualities dissolve and the essence of life pulsates with infinite possibilities. In this sacred pursuit, love and sacrifice intertwine, creating a bridge to the eternal source. This is the journey of transformation, where the self is both lost and found.
VALLEY OF DETACHMENT
When you enter the Valley of Detachment, you step away from everything you once knew. Illusions fade, and even the concept of reality dissolves. In this place, everything ceases to exist as you perceive it, yet you are told not to worry. Here, existence transcends dualities—what has been, what is, and what will be merge into a timeless flow, neither good nor evil. Every atom is but a drop in the boundless ocean of divine magnificence, a fragment of an infinite whole. In this valley, past experiences and learned knowledge hold no value; they cannot guide you here. The only requirement is to maintain a state of complete detachment and unwavering independence. As you do so, the illusions of the universe will fade, and you will witness its dissolution, leaving behind only the eternal essence. This is not an end but a beginning—a state where you glimpse the pure, unfiltered truth of existence. Here, the mind finds no foothold, for it cannot grasp the infinite. The heart becomes the guide, unshackled by desire or fear, leading you through the stillness. You begin to see that the absence of everything is, in fact, the presence of the divine. The journey through detachment is one of liberation, where freedom is not an escape but an acceptance of the infinite within. It is in this void that the true self emerges, untouched by the noise of the world, a reflection of the divine’s infinite light.
VALLEY OF UNITY
Here lies the realm of segregation and isolation, where the boundaries of individuality dissolve. Everything merges into pure unity, and the very concept of duality becomes unimaginable. There is no sense in saying "I" and "You," for the self and the other become indistinguishable. The part and the whole are no longer separate; every form transcends both spirit and matter, existing beyond all definitions. As long as even the faintest trace of duality remains, the connection to the infinite will be tenuous, a fragile bond that lacks true strength. But when duality dissolves entirely, the radiant sun of pure Unity emerges, illuminating the boundless reality where all distinctions fade. In this state, there is no division, no separation—only the eternal flow of oneness that encompasses all. The illusion of individuality vanishes, revealing a profound interconnectedness with the divine. The journey here is not about finding, but about becoming, as the seeker transforms into the sought. The self becomes a vessel for the infinite, free from the constraints of identity or form. In the light of this Unity, all opposites reconcile, and harmony replaces discord. Time and space lose their meaning, as the eternal moment unfolds in its infinite glory. This is the ultimate realization, where the boundaries between existence and non-existence blur, and the seeker rests in the embrace of the divine.
VALLEY OF BEWILDERMENT AND STUPEFACTION
Stupefaction symbolizes an ancient memory—a faint echo of the soul’s lost unity with the divine. When this forgotten connection resurfaces, it brings with it a profound sense of longing and a piercing ache, as if the soul is mourning its separation from the infinite. Those whose souls bear the imprint of unity find themselves unraveling, losing all sense of reality and self. In this state, the boundaries of existence blur, and the individual dissolves into the vastness of divine essence. This longing is both a blessing and a burden—a call to return to the source, yet a reminder of the distance that must be crossed. It is a paradoxical journey where the closer one gets to unity, the more the self is stripped away, leaving only the essence of being. The pain of this remembrance is not one of despair but of transformation, urging the soul to transcend its earthly confines. As the soul moves through this state, it begins to shed the illusions of individuality and embraces the truth of oneness. The anxiety that once ruled gives way to a profound stillness, a silence where the divine whispers can be heard. Here, the soul no longer seeks outwardly but turns inward, finding the infinite within itself. This is the path of return, where every loss becomes a gain, and every fragment of pain becomes a doorway to divine joy. It is here, in the depths of this remembrance, that the soul begins to heal, finding not just unity but the eternal harmony that lies beyond it.
VALLEY OF POVERTY AND ANNIHILATION
The final valley is the Valley of True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness, the ultimate state a mystic can attain. Here, the seeker abandons all attachment to material possessions, embracing a profound spiritual richness instead. This is the stage where the self is annihilated in the presence of God—not as an existential union but as a complete surrender of individuality. The essence of God's being and the mystic's self remain distinct, preserving the separation even in the presence of divine immersion. Unlike other traditions that speak of total unity, this state emphasizes the coexistence of divine transcendence and human humility. It is a paradoxical reality where the seeker finds fulfillment in emptiness and richness in poverty. This valley represents the culmination of the spiritual journey, where nothingness becomes the doorway to divine awareness. The mystic, having shed all worldly and personal identities, becomes a reflection of divine grace, standing at the threshold of the infinite.
