Life unfolds before us as a journey marked by profound voids and identity crises. At times, these empty spaces compel us to seek fleeting relief in the material world, yet at other moments, they become the beginning of an inner awakening—an enigmatic rebirth. Much like the sun rising from the West, this light, born of the West, offers us an opportunity to illuminate the darkness within. The sign of the sun’s western rise, as described in eschatological traditions, may be seen as a symbol of our own inner transformation, self-awareness, and the union of all things.
The concept of Tawhid teaches us that all things come from God, and all things belong to Him. In Islam, this belief extends beyond external doctrine into an inner call to find peace and unity. Tawhid beckons us to transcend the ego and return to the essence of our being. Ego, the force that places itself at the center, creates a barrier, but overcoming it leads us on a journey toward union.
Across many belief systems, the Messiah figure represents unity and the salvation of the self. Whether in Christianity, Buddhism, or Judaism, the Messiah is seen not only as a guiding figure but as the embodiment of inner transformation. The Messiah is, therefore, not an external savior but an inner guide and redeemer within each of us. Figures like Bill W., Jimmy K., and the NA movement may, in this context, be seen as reflections of this Messianic light. NA and AA offer more than just freedom from material dependencies—they guide us toward the freedom of inner peace, helping us reconnect with the Divine essence within. These communities, in a very real sense, are also Messianic. They bear the light of the sun rising from the West, lighting the way for those seeking healing and enlightenment.
Just as the concept of Tawhid aligns with Sufism, which seeks to unite the seeker with God by transcending the ego, Sufism likewise invites individuals on an inward journey. The quest for inner liberation requires shedding external attachments, material dependencies, and limiting beliefs. Sufism is the call to transcend the self and reunite with the Divine. Great mystics like Mevlana and Haji Bektash Veli explored this path, seeking deeper understandings of unity. True union is not simply the intellectual acknowledgment that all things come from God—it is the realization of that profound truth in the very fiber of our being.
In this light, the Messiah takes on a metaphorical role: the discovery of the hidden savior within. God is felt within each of us. Each of us holds a reflection of the Divine. This journey to self-discovery and oneness with God is, in essence, what the “Messiah” represents. This is not merely a religious or spiritual pursuit, but a deeply personal and collective healing. Figures like Bill W., Jimmy K., and the NA movement do not simply help individuals break free from their dependencies; they lead them to inner peace, unity, and the awakening of the God within.
Ultimately, the presence of God becomes an omnipresent force, no longer external but felt within every thought, every action, and every cell. Each person has the capacity to unite with God at any given moment. This is the essence of unity and freedom from the ego. Union with God is the end goal of all paths.
Much like in Islam, Sufism, and addiction recovery, the deeper meanings of these traditions suggest that all paths ultimately lead to unity. The sun rising from the West is more than a symbol; it is the manifestation of this inner journey. NA, AA, Sufism, and other movements all point to the same goal: inner freedom, unity, and union with God. Through God’s light within us, we can heal and unite, casting aside the ego and coming together in true oneness.
