Happy Ramadan!

Last August, I attended a beautiful introductory workshop on Islam and Sufism by a Sufi practitioner poet who also works as a marketing head in a large organization.

The workshop cleared the cobwebs of my ignorance of the beauty of Islam and Sufism and its deep roots with India and Indic traditions. I also learned a preliminary introduction to Yoga practiced in Sufi Tradition -Tazkiya -e-Nafs: Purification of the Self.

This beautiful Venn diagram by Sheikhul Akbar Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi outlines the spiritual journey of a human being, depicting two key paths: one toward divine nearness and the other toward worldly immersion and spiritual descent.

Central Core of Spirituality:
Qalb (Heart): The seat of spiritual intuition; the core of divine perception.
Aql (Mind): Reasoning faculty that works in harmony with the heart to understand divine truths.
Ruh (Soul/Spirit): The divine essence within, constantly seeking reunion with God.

The Nafs (Self/Ego) and Its States:
Nafs al-Ammara (Commanding Soul): Base self, driven by desires and sin.
Nafs al-Lawwama (Reproachful Soul): Self-aware and regretful, but not yet spiritually elevated.
Nafs al-Mutma’inna (Peaceful Soul): At peace and aligned with God’s will; highest state of the soul.

Other Key Concepts:
Fitrah: The pure, innate nature humans are born with, inclined toward truth and goodness.
Akhira (Afterlife): Awareness of the eternal life post-death motivates spiritual growth.
Munjiyat (Means of Salvation): Good deeds, faith, and obedience to God as spiritual safeguards.
Tazkiya-e-Nafs (Purification of the Self): The process of cleansing the soul from spiritual impurities.

Wishing Happy Ramadan to my dear Muslim Friends!