Javanese Sufism: A Semiotic Analysis of Sunan Kalijaga’s Suluk Linglung

This research explores the phases of the spiritual journey in Suluk Linglung, a work by Sunan Kalijaga, through a semiotic analysis. Suluk Linglung is a piece of literature that contains the teachings of Sufism, characterized by Javanese elements. This Suluk reports the spiritual journey of a highly revered Javanese saint, Kanjeng Sunan Kalijaga. The term 'linglung' in the Javanese vocabulary implies confusion, indecision, or a condition full of doubt. It represents a dilemma, indicating existential confusion. There are phases in the spiritual journey that are laden with symbols and can be interpreted from a Sufism perspective. Hence, this Suluk becomes intriguing to study using semiotic methods. The study results reveal five phases of the spiritual journey, which are abundant in meaning: First, the meeting with Sunan Bonang. Second, Ascetic Practice on the Riverbank. Third, Laku Ngidang. Fourth, Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca. Fifth, Meeting with Prophet Khidr. Contribution: Discovering the style and phase of Sunan Kalijaga's spiritual journey. The language used in Suluk Linglung is a language full of symbols. With semiotics, we can do a deeper ‘interpretation’. That Sunan Kalijaga's practice was not merely a physical practice, but also an inner practice that was expressed using a deep and poetic literary language.