Throughout history, Wayism has sometimes been referred to as “the secret spirituality” or “secret doctrine” by outsiders. This characterization, often used accusatorily, stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of Wayist practice and its ability to coexist within various religious settings.
Wayists understand the purpose of life, the practice of spirituality, and the meaning of devotion differently from many other traditions. While soul-people often create religions that can be jealous of other traditions and highly regulated, Wayism focuses on internal spiritual practice that can be conducted within any external religious framework, or no religious framework whatsoever.
For Wayists, spiritual practice occurs primarily in the heart and higher-self, within the spirit-minds. There are no prescribed external displays, specific clothing, postures, set times, or designated places for Wayist spiritual practice. This internal focus has allowed devout monks, imams, priests, nuns, and other devotees enclosed within traditional religious settings to practice Wayism discreetly.
This adaptability has been crucial to the survival of Wayism during times of persecution or when it was outlawed. For example, the “Lotus Families” in China were able to maintain their Wayist practices even when the state mandated conformity to official religions or banned spirituality altogether.
Wayist spirituality manifests internally, transforming practitioners from within. It fosters inner fulfillment, peace, contentment, and love, generating kindness, respect, appreciation for life, humbleness, and simplicity in needs and worldview.
The lack of external rituals or markers has sometimes led to accusations of following a “secret doctrine,” particularly when practitioners outwardly conformed to societal or religious expectations while maintaining their inner Wayist practice.
In times when religious individuals advance in spiritually to the point where outward practices, doctrines, and dogmas no longer satisfy their awakened spirit, a wise teacher (or their spiritual guide) might introduce them to this “secret doctrine” and its internal practice.
This phenomenon is evident in the works of mystics from various religious traditions, who often conveyed similar messages while carefully avoiding offense to religious authorities.
Lord Jesus himself emphasized the internal nature of spiritual practice, stating that “the kingdom of heaven is within you.”
This inward focus on connection, transformation, and wisdom aligns perfectly with Wayist principles.
The “secret” nature of Wayist spirituality extends even among practitioners, as the profound mystical experiences encountered in higher states of consciousness often defy articulation in human language. Like the ineffable nature of love, these spiritual experiences remain deeply personal and challenging to convey to others.
This inability to fully express mystical experiences in conventional terms has sometimes led to accusations that Wayists write in secret code.
In reality, this inability became a “veil” of poetic or metaphorical language, which served as a protective factor, allowing mystics to express their insights while avoiding persecution.
Consider this ancient poem entitled Reality, which resonates deeply with Wayist understanding but might seem obscure to those unfamiliar with mystical experience:
*Reality
“In love, nothing exists between heart and heart.
Speech is born out of longing,
True description from the real taste.
The one who tastes, knows;
the one who explains, lies.
How can you describe the true form of that Something”
~ Rabia Basri*
In essence, the “secret” nature of Wayism is not about exclusivity or intentional obscurity, but rather a reflection of its deeply internal, personal, and often ineffable spiritual practice.
This adaptability and focus on inner transformation has allowed Wayism to survive and thrive across diverse cultures and historical periods, offering a path to spiritual growth that transcends external religious boundaries.
Following, is another example of ancient mystic poetry which not only resonates with Wayist understanding but teaches it, from the same poet.
*I Have Loved Thee
I have loved Thee with two loves -
a selfish love and a love that is worthy of Thee.
As for the love which is selfish,
Therein I occupy myself with Thee,
to the exclusion of all others.
But in the love which is worthy of Thee,
Thou dost raise the veil that I may see Thee.
Yet is the praise not mine in this or that,
But the praise is to Thee in both that and this.
~ Rabia Basri*
Rabia was a woman born in 717 CE in Basra (near modern-day Dubai, where she also lived). Her work exemplifies the universal nature of mystic expression that transcends specific religious contexts.
Born into a culture influenced by Zoroastrianism, which housed teachings of theWAY, she lived in an area later conquered by Islamic forces. She was captured and sold as a slave into the hands of the conquerors when she was in her teens. By the age of seventeen she was released because she spent all her time in prayer.
Rabia continued living in prayer and made a living with her poetry. Her poetry speaks to the hearts of mystics across traditions, addressing the inner quest of the devotee and the soul’s transformation into spirit.
Rabia’s life and work reflect the adaptability of Wayist principles. Despite experiencing slavery in her youth and living under changing religious rule, she mastered the art of expressing profound spiritual truths in a way that remained acceptable to both Zoroastrian and Islamic audiences. Her ability to convey the “secret doctrine” while avoiding conflict with prevailing religious authorities allowed her to become a renowned saint, illustrating how Wayist wisdom can flourish even in challenging circumstances.
Rabia Basri’s work exemplifies the universal nature of mystic expression that transcends specific religious contexts. Her poetry speaks to the hearts of mystics across traditions, addressing the inner quest of the devotee and the soul’s transformation into spirit.
Zoroastrianism, like many religions, presents an exoteric teaching of a cosmic struggle between good and evil deities. However, Wayists perceive an esoteric meaning within this framework: the inner struggle between the soul’s materialistic nature (cast as the bad deity) and the evolving spiritual self (cast as the good deity). This mirrors the Wayist understanding of the soul’s gradual transformation and eventual metamorphosis into spirit.
For Rabia, the comprehension of Islam entails striving for higher-self good, obedience, self-discipline, and self-control. Everything else about the religion is most probably superfluous, a distraction — unless the soul needs it for self-discipline.
Rabia’s poetry, while outwardly conforming to religious norms, conveyed these deeper truths. Her ability to express Wayist principles within seemingly opposing religious environments demonstrates how mystics can nurture their spiritual practice even amidst dogmatic settings. This skill allowed her to become a renowned saint, illustrating how Wayist wisdom can flourish by finding universal threads within diverse spiritual traditions.
In this context, it is therefore notable how many Wayist teachers are claimed by various religious traditions.