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SUFI PSYCHOLOGY:
The Science of the Soul
The psychology of Sufism is a developmental psychology which is internally rather than externally based. It is therefore called “The Science of the Soul.”
The word “develop” is from the French word meaning to unfold or unwrap. Its multiple meanings include to cause to grow gradually in some way, to expand, to strengthen, to bring into activity, and to unfold gradually.
The study of human development in Western psychology focuses primarily on description of the physical, mental and social changes, which occur over the typical chronological age span. In other words, it is a linear and time-dependent perspective, strongly culture-bound. This approach does not tell us how to evoke the unfolding, the expansion, the growth, the development of the ideal human being or the ideal society, even though the descriptions indicate such development is crucially needed.
To describe development, Nader Angha uses the analogy of a seed. The destiny of a tree is all in the seed. Everything is prepared to be — the trunk, the bark, the roots, the branches, the leaves, the blossoms — all in one small seed. For it to grow, we must put it in the soil and provide water. If the seed is not cultivated, nothing else matters, for it will eventually rot, and will be ruined without using its knowledge. If it grows in the soil, it will reproduce. It is self-sufficient; the seed becomes the plant by itself, simply because it relies and depends directly on its Essence, and not on other seeds for its growth. We should be the same. You can see that the seed gives us the leaves and the tree. What do the leaves of the tree look like within the seed? That little seed shapes the leaves. We don’t know how. It creates because Existence means creativity.
We have our own “seed” which we can come to know. It lives within our body, which is like the soil. What is the seed? The seed is the “I”, the true identity of man. It has to be found in the heart. Environmental conditions need to be prepared for it. Meditation prepares the ground and provides the proper conditions for the seed. We have only one “I”, a seed that needs to be cultivated for growing. When you discover it, it will grow and overwhelm all else. This part, religions call God. Through growing, we see the reality of knowledge in the trunk, leaf, root, seed — everywhere. For every seed, there is a gardener. We must listen to the gardener. Each person has the truth within himself, to be discovered. It is not a matter of thinking, it is a matter of revelation. The “I” never thinks.
The seed sprouts and grows, and ultimately blossoms and bears fruit. The roots draw sustenance from the soil, and the plant ever reaches upward toward the sun, essential for its survival. Different kinds of seeds require different periods of time to reach maturity. An orange tree bears after four years, an apple after three years. Celery bears after two months, but date palms only after 30 years. Only when fruit is borne has the plant fulfilled the promise of the seed, and produced the truth of the tree. Different kinds of plants take different lengths of time to mature.
And so with the human being. Development is an unfolding of what is already within, the blossoming of our potentialities. It is also a preparation, in the case of the human, for the next life. Nader Angha teaches that there is something within each of us that motivates us to start the way. There is a knowledge, an eagerness, a desire to know that brings us. Once we pass through the gate, we become one with Him. As in the womb, you are then constantly together. The Heavenly Father is then with us — whatever we do, and wherever we go —eating, waking, sleeping. There is no separation from him. If we develop our potentialities and are united with the Divine Beloved, God, then we, too, are infinite and eternal. The truth and the essence of life are eternal and immortal.
In his work, Peace, Hazrat Pir tells us: “What a child does when he is born is to develop education which has already been implemented within his own being.” It is a blessing Nature has provided. We do not enter the world as blank tablets. Look at your hand and think of what you use this efficient instrument for …each muscle, bone and nerve “has been directed and educated by an inherent knowledge.” Other examples are the analysis of sound vibrations by our ears, opening or closing the lenses of our eyes to distinguish objects — both are development of the existing systems. We come with all the equipment and education necessary to walk and to talk, and would probably fare better if we did less of the latter and more of the former.
“Each human being is born with different characteristics and abundant aptitudes.” Unfortunately children are then subjected to family, social and educational experiences involving people who have neglected to discover the true meaning of education and development, and the incorrect teaching methods result in lack of development of their talents and abilities. The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) says: “Each human being is like a mine — gold, silver, or jewel. Excavate their goodness so that you may have peace.” Sufism psychology teaches the way to evolutionary development, to discovery of the precious treasure within.
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Sufi Psychology Association®. All rights reserved.
