Image: Avalon Art Song

The Nightingale in the Garden of Love

Saturday 11th April 2026
14:00–17:00 BST
The October Gallery, London

Contemplative study of the spiritual poems of one of the greatest Ottoman Sufi masters, Mehmed Muhyīddīn Üftade (1490-1580). Üftade was born and lived in the town of Bursa, a hugely important spiritual centre at the height of the Ottoman Empire. He was founder of one of its main dervish orders, the Jelvetiyye, through the training of his famous disciple, ‘Aziz Mahmūd Hüdäyi.

This is a second meeting to study Üftade’s poems. There is no need to have attended the previous meeting in March.

Description

Üftade composed a collection of poems, which express his spiritual quest in simple, direct and wonderfully human language.

Oh lover! Oh sincere one!
If it is tidings you desire
Look upon the One who is in the city of existence
Pay no attention to other.

Until you see wonders within yourself
You must find the real goal
In a deep sea you must dive
There, where you cannot see the shore.

You must be one with the One
You must be existent with Existence
You must not stay with others
Nor find any sign of them.

From every shore comes the call:
“Oh you who search for Me, I am God”
Turn your gaze to the side of His Beauty.
There is no other journey for you.

Oh Üftäde! He whom you seek for yourself
Gives Himself constantly, from beginning to end
All remains united to Him
That is the tidings that come from Reality.

Click here to read about the meeting between Hüdayi and Üftade

The October Gallery,
24 Old Gloucester Street
London
WC1N 3AL

Refreshments Provided