THE SUFI WAY OF SELF-UNFOLDMENT
(Excerpts Only)

By: Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri

Chapter 4
On the Self

We are building a picture of the self, the entity that we call 'I'. This self is better understood when we see that it is divided into seven different categories or levels. [See also: Seven Patterns of the Self]

The first is the grossest, the most treacherous, the most solid. It is the Commanding Self, and like a brutal tyrant, it acts entirely upon selfish motives. Neither compassion nor logic can appeal to it successfully, and it is completely motivated by its appetites and lower desires.

The next level is the Reproachful Self. It means that the hardened heart occasionally softens and a ray of conscience enters in. This self occasionally blames itself for all its usual self-centeredness.

A third category is the Inspired Self. It is tolerant, creative, artistic, whimsical and vulnerable. It is an evolved self but not sufficiently for it to be secure.

The fourth level is the Certain Self which is based on certainty and trust. It is a mature and experienced self, certain that the outcome will always be good, and whenever it faces turmoil, it recalls past experiences and events to bring about steadfastness, calmness and forbearance.

The fifth level is the Contented Self and its contentment is based on knowledgeable acceptance of reality. Contentment springs from positive, intelligent acknowledgement, not from negative and helpless acceptance. It is not 'positive thinking'.

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The next level of the self is that of recognition of total harmony, the Harmonious Self. It is the experience of harmony of the entire creation with oneself.

The previous state was being in harmony and contentment with creation. At this stage creation is in harmony and contentment with oneself.

The seventh and final level is the Fulfilled Self, complete and perfect. It is in unific equilibrium, awakened and evolved into its pure consciousness, experiencing time, yet aware and alive to its permanent divine reality. It is a self that outwardly acts as an agent of goodness and an aid towards true evolvement and fulfillment for others and inwardly is engulfed by the ocean of beingness without a beginning or end. It is the self of an outer struggle or sacrifice, and an inner contentment with infinite love.

The self is a mirror of prophetic light.