Examining the Place of Talvin and Tamkin in the Mystical Travel

Introduction

Comprehending the language as well as the purposes of the basics and principles of Islamic mysticism takes place through the recognition of theological punctilios and common terms in the related field. Meanwhile, the duality concepts and terms play an important role in understanding the basics of Islamic mysticism and explaining the mystical language. The set of these key terms enjoy a variable, dynamic and complex stance in the context of the basics and mystical language, which their accurate understanding is considered as the way to achieve the secrets of the basics and principles of mysticism. In the meantime, Talvin and Tamkin are one of key and complex duality terms in Islamic mysticism, which have always been targeted by Sufism's attention and explanation in mystical books. According to the viewpoint of most of the mystics and Sufis, Talvin and Tamkin are among the stages and levels that the spiritual seeker experiences on his path of perfection towards the Almighty, so that the spiritual seeker continuously experiences various states until s/he is in the initial stages of the path. It will be continued until, according to the conditions, s/he reaches the final stage of spiritual journey, namely Tamkin, which is the level of endurance that is the desired point of every spiritual seeker. In a general view, due to the duality of these two terms, it is possible to consider Talvin as a prelude to achieving the level of Tamkin, and Tamkin as an evolutionary and final stage in the process of the spiritual journey. In the meantime, the existing viewpoints on these two stages have been different in various mystical references. This research aimed to investigate the evolution of these two key terms in mystical references in order to provide the target audience with a clear profile and image of these two duality terms for a better and more effective understanding of the principles and language of mysticism.

Methodology

In this research, regarding the necessity and importance of examining these duality terms in order to decipher the mystical references as well as considering the difficulty of analyzing these duality terms compared to single terms, an analytical and structured model has been used. Having recognized the details and dimensions of this subject in mystical references and collected the data in a library form (studying and taking noting), the content and concepts related to Talvin and Tamkin were investigated in a descriptive-analytical method in the framework of a coherent model. In addition, they were surveyed in terms of dimensions including definition, prerequisites and conditions, demerits, types, results and symbols.

Discussion

 In the beginning and middle stages of the spiritual journey, that is, after leaving the neglect toward the Almighty and seeking Him and entering the stage of self-purification, the spiritual seeker experiences stages such as the Talvin and in the final stages, the Tamkin. In accordance with the dominant viewpoints, Talvin can be considered as a prelude to reaching the stage of Tamkin. This is the stage in which due to entering the spiritual seeker into Nature and the being predominant by sensual attributes, or due to his/her strength and weakness, the levels of sobriety and/ or concealment will be established in it.
At this stage, various states are presented to the spiritual seeker, which, due to his/her inability to achieve stability and control over something imports his/her mind, expose him/her to continuous change and transformation: s/he is unable to remain silent, and every moment, in the midst of various attributes and states, s/he changes. However, in the continuation of the path, because of increasing recognition and love toward the Almighty, austerity and self-purification, Zekr, God grace and Divine care, Divine drunkenness and manifestation, s/he reaches the stage of Tamkin. Tamkin, in fact, is the durability of discovering the truth due to the location of the heart in the place of closeness. At this stage, s/he has the authority to stay in any stage and attribute and dominates his sensual attributes in such a way that her/his states do not change because s/he has embraces a kind of stability and peace.

Conclusion

 One of the important and influential duality terms and concepts in understanding the mystical texts are the terms of Talvin and Tamkin. A beginner or intermediate spiritual seeker, in her/his ascending journey to the threshold of the Almighty, is in stage of Talvin  as long as s/he is experiencing different states due to the existence of some conditions including the succession of states, strength or weakness of  the things import to his/her mind, and lack of mastery over his/her sensual attributes.This state will continue until the spiritual seeker is completely liberated from the sensual attributes of the heart and ego. The spiritual seeker’s stay or not stay in this stage will depend on his endeavor. Therefore, staying at this stage can be both paradoxically temporary and permanent. Moreover, this stay causes him to reveal signs such as the displaying the multiplicity of human traits, lack of discretion in states, and the dominance of speech.
Talvin is also divided into types such as traits Talvin and hearts Talvin as well as some degrees and ranks. In the end, it will bring achievements and results such as having no ability to guide, becoming a prisoner of time and being overcame by various situations. The stage of Tamkin is also the ultimate goal of mystics. In this stage, the spiritual seeker benefits from the existence of conditions including austerity and self-purification, elevation from the position of the heart to the spirit, Divine drunkenness, manifestation and increase in recognition to the Almighty. At this stage, Tamkin is also divided into types, degrees, results and achievements. Considering the evolutionary nature of Tamkin in mystical spiritual journey, some demerits and obstacles can be mentioned for it including attributes of ego, selfishness, crying, inactivity and stopping. In this stage of the spiritual journey, the spiritual seeker reaches the Hagholyaghin. Having annihilated in God, s/he achieves the stage of Unification by God forever in such a way that no action prevents him/her from paying attention to the Almighty.