TRANSFORMING THE SELF

yung PDF lang ni Sir TT

The Self

is actually a living process rather than a static structure in the psyche; the self is not a thing

The Ego or Lower Personality

the lowest level of the self, is made up of impulses or drives, to satisfy desires

not bad

The self is ___ ___ in itself. Never blame blame yourself.

Sufism

Part of the work of ______ is to change the state of yourself.

seven levels

According to many Sufi teachers, there are _____ ______ of the self. They are _____ ______ of development, ranging from absolutely self-centered and egotistical to purely spiritual.

The Commanding Self

first level; the domineering self or the self that incites to evil; closely linked to lust and aggression; the realm of physical and egoistic desires; people who are in denial and refuse to believe they have a problem; no hope of change at this level because they do not acknowledge any need to change

The Regretful Self

people who have not developed beyond the first level are unaware and unconscious; wants and desires still dominate, but now the person repents from time to time and tries to follow higher impulses; there is a battle between the self, the lower self, and the soul; people do not yet have the ability to change their way of life in a significant way; they see their faults more clearly, their regret and desire for change grow

The Inspired Self

seeker begins to take genuine pleasure in prayer, meditation, and other spiritual activities; the individual taste the joys of spiritual experience; truly motivated by ideals such as compassion, service, and moral values; beginning of the real practice of Sufism; still not free from desires and ego but now motivated and spiritual; emotionally mature, respectable, and respected

The Contented Self

seeker is now at peace; struggles of earlier stages are over; the ego-self begins to let go, allowing the individual to come more closely in contact with the Divine; predisposes one to be liberal, grateful, trusting, and adoring; marks a period of transition

The Pleased Self

not only content with their lot, but pleased with even the difficulties and trials of life, realizing that these difficulties come from God; when a person’s love and gratitude to God reach this level

The Self Pleasing to God

they realize that all power to act comes from God, that they can do nothing by themselves; they no longer fear anything or ask for anything; the inner marriage or self and soul; achieved genuine inner unity and wholeness

The Pure Self

they have transcended the self entirely; there is no ego or separate self left, only union with God; individual has truly realized the truth, “There is no god but God”; there is nothing but God, that only the Divine exists, and that any sense of individuality or separateness is an illusion