Occultism generally comes from Latin. Accordingly, it is derived from the word "occulere", which means to hide and conceal. It also means secret, hidden and sacred . The concept has a very broad meaning. It generally includes the concepts of alchemy, astrology , symbolism, numerology and prophecy. However, it can be said that it is basically a person's journey to understand himself and life. Occultism is known as a kind of philosophical teaching. Accordingly, the information that people have internalized is transmitted with certain methods. These teachings are not external teachings known by everyone. Some people earn the right to learn this information by passing through various stages. At the same time, these are the whole of the information obtained based on esoteric traditions.
Astrology in Occultism tries to understand the effects of the positions of stars and planets on nature and human life. Alchemy deals with the transformation of matter and spiritual development, and generally includes teachings about hidden powers. The use of symbols is also common. These symbols are used to express secret information.
Hermes Trimegistos, who was identified with Thoth in ancient Egypt and to whom the saying " He who knows himself knows everything " was attributed, is an important figure for occultism and esotericism.
Esotericism refers to a set of ideas and teachings that are often different from religious teachings, often dealing with the mysterious, inner knowledge and spiritual meanings. The term is used widely, but it often includes symbols, rituals and inner meanings that go beyond traditional religious teachings and scientific methods. Esotericism encompasses a wide range of different teachings and is used as a tool for personal spiritual discovery. Within many esoteric traditions, there is an initiation process to understand the teachings. This may mean that an individual reaches a certain level of knowledge and learns hidden secrets.
Sufism is a path, a teaching that embraces an inner, mystical interpretation of Islam and seeks spiritual depth. This path emphasizes the spiritual evolution of the individual and the totality of union with God, focusing on unity with God (Wahdat-i Vücud) and inner exploration. Although based on the teachings of Islam and the Quran, Sufism generally interprets and applies religious practices and understanding from a more mystical and inner perspective. Sufi teachings focus on the spiritual evolution of the individual, inner exploration and achieving a union with God. The teachings of Sufism are often symbolic and have an inner meaning, so different interpretations and emphases can be seen among different Sufis.
The concepts and practices found in Sufism are also found in Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and other traditions. According to Sufi teachings, the path to experiencing the Divine Essence begins within the person. The urge to be mystical exists within every human being. Sufism, which investigates the purpose of creation of man and the universe in which he exists, is a philosophy of life that is based on mysticism, examines the causality of existence and foresees that for this purpose, he must constantly mature and become enlightened.
The basic concepts of Sufism are:
Vahdet-i Vücud (Unity of Being):
One of the most important concepts in Sufism is the belief that God is a single, absolute entity. Vahdet-i Vücud is the idea that all beings are reflections of a single reality, God.
Dhikr:
Sufis practice the practice of constantly mentioning and remembering the name of God, a practice called "zikir." It is an orientation of the heart toward God and an effort to achieve spiritual union.
Masters and Tariqahs:
In Sufism, there are usually orders (Sufi orders) consisting of students under the guidance of a master (guide). The master provides spiritual guidance to the students and guides their inner evolution.
Fana (Loss of the Individual in the Whole):
In Sufism, the concept of "fana" is important, which is the state of complete surrender and union with God, forgetting one's own existence. This means that the individual transcends his ego and unites with God.
Light and Knowledge:
Sufism treats knowledge not only as a mental phenomenon but also as a spiritual light and inner knowledge. It emphasizes the process of illumination of the heart and soul.
Love and Divine Affection:
Sufism emphasizes love and affection for God. Poems by Sufi poets are often used to express this divine affection and love.
Bektashism is a path that is particularly influential in Turkey, the Balkans and Central Asia. Bektashi beliefs are based on the basic principles of Islam, while also adopting a mystical, internal and moral interpretation. Bektashism has unique rituals, symbols and teachings. Bektashism has become an important part of Turkish-Islamic culture with its teachings and rituals, and has continued to maintain a spiritual tradition.
The fundamental figure of Bektashism is Hacı Bektaş Veli. This mystic leader, who lived in Anatolia, systematically organized and spread the teachings of the order. Hacı Bektaş Veli is known for the importance he gave to love, tolerance and human rights.
Bektashism is known for its doctrine of Vahdet-i Vücud. According to this doctrine, it is believed that God is one and only in existence and that everything in the universe is a reflection of God. The idea of unity of existence strengthens the idea that all living things should respect each other. Bektashism emphasizes universal human rights and tolerance. This means rejecting all forms of discrimination and violence and embracing the principle of equality and brotherhood among people.
Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, esoteric Christianity and Asian beliefs are synthesis teachings. It is similar to Sufism in Islam. They rejected Orthodox Christianity, were declared heretics in time and were punished by the Church. They believed that man was naturally good, lived a sect that tried to analyze human nature and mostly advocated asceticism. Gnostics believed that the human self and God are of the same essence, that Jesus was not the son of God and was not crucified.
A significant portion of the Gnostic movements originated in Alexandria, which was home to the largest library in antiquity. The Gospel of Thomas, the Secret Book of John, the Gospel of Philip, and Pistis Sophia are some of the important gnostic texts. Today, it is kept alive by various esoteric communities such as Freemasons, Rosicrucians, and Kabbalists. Basic concepts and teachings about Gnosticism:
Inner Knowledge and Enlightenment:
Gnosticism emphasizes the individual's efforts to reach inner knowledge and enlightenment. It is believed that in order to understand the truth, the individual must go on an inner journey.
The Iron Law and Anti-World:
In Gnostic beliefs, the world is often associated with evil or delusion, and is seen as a place governed by a kind of restriction and iron law.
Demiurge:
In Gnosticism, the Demiurge, considered the creator of the world, is often a kind of illusory divine figure. The Demiurge is perceived as an entity that governs worldly beings, beyond the essential reality.
Savior of Divine Light:
In Gnosticism, emphasis is placed on a divine savior sent to save people on earth. This savior was sent to save people from the spiral of the world by bringing light and knowledge.
Love and Spiritual Liberation:
In Gnostic teachings, love and spiritual salvation are important. The aim is for people to achieve spiritual union by liberating themselves from the world and to be enlightened with inner knowledge.
Divine Alethia (Reality):
In Gnostic beliefs, reality, or alethia, is often considered a higher reality beyond earthly life. Attaining this alethia involves a process of inner knowledge and enlightenment.
Shamanism includes a special design of man and the world. It assumes that there is a special bond between people and “God”. The bond established through spirits and the belief that everything has a spirit bring about the acceptance of Shamanism as an applied animism. Although its origins date back tens of thousands of years, the concept of “Shamanism”, which has recently been put forward by the West, has been given two different meanings. The first is the definition of an applied belief that comes from a narrow range of ancestors in Siberia and Central Asia, where the Turks live. There are shaman depictions in rock paintings made in the Bronze Age in Siberia around 1000 BC (Okladnyikov and Martinov, 1983). According to some researchers, Shamanism emerged from matriarchal cultures in the south in ancient times and spread among the northern peoples with the help of Buddhism. The Turkish, Mongolian and Tungus tribes were the first to adopt this belief. Later, it also found a place for itself in tribes that adopted Buddhism, Christianity or Islam. The broader one is based on a basic concept that includes the local ancient peoples of the world without making any geographical limitations. The common name of various techniques that have been applied since ancient times in a wide geography that includes North and Central Asia, Northern Europe, North and South America, Korea and Japan can be described as Shamanism.
This ancient teaching is also seen in the Anatolian beliefs of the Turks. It is seen that there are similar elements used with the systematics of Shamanic practices and the systematics of the Alevi-Bektashi belief. According to Eliade (1997), Shamanism is not a religion. Shamanism is a set of methods related to enthusiasm and healing, which is to establish contact with unseen spirits and nature and to obtain the support of these spirits in managing social activities.