Hazrat Inayat Khan explores how various words connected with the spiritual path express mysticism through their forms and vibrations. The previous post is here.

The mystery of Hu is revealed to the Sufi who journeys through the path of initiation. Truth, the knowledge of God, is called by a Sufi Haqq. If we divide the word Haqq into two parts, its assonant sounds become hu ek – Hu signifying God, or truth, and ek in Hindustani meaning one, and both together expressing one God and one truth. Haqiqat in Arabic means the essential truth, Hakim means master, and Hakim means knower, all of which words express the essential characteristics of life. 

Al-Haqq is the sacred word that the vairagis, the adepts of India, use as their sacred chant. In the word al-Haqq are expressed two words, al meaning he, and Haqq truth, both words together expressing God the source from which all comes.

The sound Hu becomes limited in the word Ham, for the letter m closes the lips. This word in Hindustani expresses limitation because Ham means I or we, both of which words signify ego. The word Hamsa is the sacred word of the Yogis which illumines the ego with the light of reality. The word Huma in the Persian language stands for a fabulous bird. There is a belief that if the Huma bird sits for a moment on the head of anybody it is a sign that he will become a king. Its true explanation is that when a man’s thoughts so evolve that they break all limitation, then he becomes as a king. It is the limitation of language that it can only describe the Most High as something like a king. It is said in the old traditions that Zoroaster was born of a Huma tree. This explains the words in the Bible, ‘Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.’ In the word Huma, hu represents spirit, and the word mah in Arabic means water. In English the word ‘human’ explains two facts which are characteristic of humanity: Hu means God and man means mind, which word comes from the Sanskrit mana, mind being the ordinary man. The two words united represent the idea of the God-conscious man; in other words Hu, God, is in all things and beings, but it is man by whom he is known. Human therefore may be said to mean God-conscious, God-realized, or God-man. The word Hamd means praise, Hamid, praiseworthy, and Muhammad, praiseful. The name of the Prophet of Islam was significant of his attitude to God. 

Hur in Arabic means the beauties of the Heaven, its real meaning is he expression of heavenly beauty. Zuhur in Arabic means manifestation, especially that of God in nature. Ahura Mazda is the name of God known to the Zoroastrians. This first word Ahura suggests Hu, upon which the whole name is built.

All of these examples signify the origin of God in the word Hu; and the life of God in every thing and being.

To be continued…