Letters of the Heart (Gönül Mektupları) is a collection of essays authored by Mustafa Kara and published by Dergâh Publications. The book addresses the spiritual and ethical challenges an individual faces in the modern world from a Sufi perspective, inviting the reader on a journey of introspection. The first edition was published in October 2014, with the work consisting of 408 pages in a 13.5 x 21 cm format. The fourth edition was published in June 2020.
Content and Thematic Approach
In Gönül Mektupları, Mustafa Kara examines the negative effects of contemporary society's speed, competitiveness, and materialism on the human spirit. The author analyzes the distress and individual anxieties brought about by the "global world," where the boundaries of what is permissible (halal) and forbidden (haram) have become blurred, and the powerful exploit the weak. In this context, the text attributes individual distress, which can lead to issues such as drug dependency, to a fundamental spiritual void. The book proposes a "journey of the heart" that aims for individuals to achieve a life of contentment (tevekkül), free from worldly attachments such as hypocrisy (riya), forbidden acts, fame, and wealth, by opening their "inner eye." The text invites the reader to depart from spiritual heedlessness (gaflet) and embark on an introspective journey free from unfair competition, lust, and the bondage of the ego (nefs).
The essays in the work focus on how Sufi teachings and moral principles can be adapted to daily life. Centering the human experience, Mustafa Kara explains the factors that impede spiritual development and how these obstacles can be overcome in the light of Sufi wisdom. The book aims to guide the reader through the complexities of modern life toward a path of returning to one's true self, finding inner peace, and living a more meaningful existence. While possessing academic depth, the narrative is written in a simple and sincere language that is accessible to the reader.
Author's Position and Significance of the Work
Mustafa Kara is a distinguished academic and writer with significant works in the fields of Sufism and Turkish intellectual history. Gönül Mektupları is an example of the author's ability to present his knowledge and ideas in this field in an essay format that appeals to a broad audience. The work is significant for offering a Sufi solution to the spiritual crises of contemporary individuals and for calling upon the reader to engage in a process of internal reflection. The book takes a stance against the ethical and moral decay encountered in social life and is a profound text that encourages thought on individual transformation and spiritual purification.
