(Khalwa). The spiritual retreat and seclusion. Initially spiritual retreat is undertaken by physically withdrawing from those outside disturbances which have the potential of distracting one in his contemplation of Allah's Names and Attributes. Ultimately this withdrawal becomes purely spiritual when the heart is in a state of perpetual presence with Allah. Then the lover of Allah is with his Beloved at all times, regardless of the external conditions within which he is situated. Khalwa is the conversation of one's secret awareness with Allah.