This thesis tries to explain about the discourse of spirituality in the Sufi literature perspective by examining Khotbah di Atas Bukit written by Kuntowijoyo. The texts in the novel become the object of study. Novel Khotbah di Atas Bukit can not be separated from the discourse of modernity, the socio-political reaction, as well as the criticism of reality (people with social, nature, God, and with self) in 1970 to 1980 period. In addition, Khotbah di Atas Bukit gives new discourse presents the transcendent or mystical themes in Indonesian Sufi literature.
This research uses semiotics approach (heuristic and hermeneutic readings). That is an attempt to describe the symptoms or signs and events what looked like as what has been described in the text and then researcher interpret the novel where he makes and arranges it systematically or comprehensively. Through this method, the researcher tried to describe spiritual teachings through dialogues conducted the main character in novel Khotbah di Atas Bukit as a whole.
The researcher finds that the socio-historical background of novel Khotbah di Atas Bukit is the author attempts to explore experimental themes with the spirit of liberation. In its relation with modernity, the novel Khotbah di Atas Bukit tries to give a reaction, response, and resistance to the discourse of modernism in Indonesia during 1970 to 1980 period. The conflicts that arise within it are the tension between the individual and his social environment, nature, God, particularly among individuals with his self in finding the meaning of life. Theologically, Sufi literature which Kuntowijoyo calls it prophetic literature is based on Qur’a>n in S{urah Ali ‘Imra>n (3): 110. In being the best people (The Chosen People), humans must engage in activism of history. This premise is also an ethical foundation for the author’s philosophy.
Technically, spiritual teachings revealed through dialogues that underlie the problems of novel Khotbah di Atas Bukit can be divided into four categories: First, the journey to go into seclusion in finding meaning life is human effort to purify and cleanse the soul from being dependence to worldly pleasure. This trend shows different attitude of human life in general. This action−doing seclusion−due to ignore the spiritual life in the midst of modernity; Second, in an effort to affirm and understand self, spiritual teacher were able to make the man free from the narrow limits of material pleasures and to provide guidance to recognize the reality on spiritual life. Without the guidance and encouragement of teachers, the one who seeks self knowledge may fall into huge lost. Third, self-actualization is the highest effort in using all talent and potential include accomplishment of capacity and quality which human being has. Self-actualization is a process, not the end result of fulfillment of human needs; and fourth, self-awareness is the result of processing intellectuality and morality in a balanced way. With self-awareness, humans are able to know him self and God.
Keywords: spiritual teaching, modernity, semiotics, Sufi literature