What is the Spiritual Dimension of Human Existence? (10 Min. Read)
A Brief Response to a Reader's Question on Spirituality in Ismaili Literature
The Question That Sparked This Reflection
The other day, a fellow Ismaili seeker of Truth reached out to me on Instagram with this question:
“I’m wondering… have our Imams or other spiritual teachers in our Tariqa said anything really basic in our literature about the ‘spiritual dimension of human existence’? Like, just exploring what it is even? I’m looking for something simple, relatable, and easy to access in Ismaili sources.”
There are many ways one might respond to such a question. What follows is simply how I replied in that moment. It isn’t a full or final treatment of the topic, but rather a starting point — a direction for deeper reflection and study.
(Note: The response below reflects what I shared in the conversation, with some light editing. I’ve also added annotation, links, a few extended quotations, and clarifications for readers who wish to explore further.)