Human Development
Purification of the self
Description:
The [nafs] is the very essence of man, and may be variously interpreted as the soul, the ego (when falsely imagined as separate) or the seat of passion and lust, the sensual self. In the course of [suluk], advancement in spiritual life, the [nafs] is cleansed. In its natural state it is attributed with animal qualities and naturally tends towards evil, commanding the person to do evil, and known as imperious (nafs-i ammara). As it is purified and starts to avoid evil it reproaches itself (nafs-i lawwama). Finally, attaining the love of God, it is no longer the source of evil but acquires angelic attributes and has the faculty for doing right. It is no longer self-accusatory but becomes tranquil (nafs-i mutma'inna).In its impure state the nafs is the greatest obstacle to spiritual progress, its desires acting as veils separating from union with God. The process of purification requires practice of austerities to: overcome slavery to carnal desires; replace hypocrisy with truth and sincerity; remove ostentation and dissimulation (which is false worship); renounce the claims of the ego to divinity (in its pride, it sets itself up as God, whereas only God has the attributes of existence); relinquish attachment to worldly possessions. Negation of nafs brings the discovery of the true self.
Context:
The first of four contemplative disciplines the salik (seeker after God) must pass through to obtain ma'rifa. Various Sufi orders may differ in approach but all require the same spiritual concentration; manifestation in its many forms may be dealt with in many ways but the realization of spiritual reality behind the forms is the same.< Broader:
Purification Related:
Subtle facultiesSelf-mortification