SEVEN LEVELS OF BEING

Current decadence, greed, evil, falsehood, corruption, violence, injustice, and exploitation all have a cosmic undertone.

It is a “cosmic law” that civilizations which have become megalomaniacal will inevitably collapse. This is because all levels of existence are corroded – including the religious realm.

Only a dimension beyond can redeem us.

Beware of viewing nature as just 'raw material' to produce goods for consumers. This mentality comes from a narrow perspective that links back to the Age of Enlightenment.

By thinking we can exploit the earth as a global factory, we repress our true understanding of the infinite connectedness of our being. This mindset has led to multinational corporations dominating and damaging our environment.

The idea of Jihad was introduced in Makkah before the Hijra to Medina. "Jihad al-Nafs" is the struggle against one's own self, including the ego and base desires.

Some examples include:

• Controlling one's anger and avoiding conflicts
• Staying away from sinful actions
• Constantly striving to improve oneself

This type of Jihad is considered to be the greater struggle and is essential in achieving inner peace and righteousness. It is not restricted to a specific time or place, making it relevant for everyone, regardless of their circumstances

People in tasawwuf use the term "nafs" to refer to the negative aspects in a person, such as anger and sexual desire. They believe that one must fight and overcome the ego, as mentioned in the hadith: "Your worst enemy is your nafs which lies between your flanks."

This means that self-control and self-awareness are crucial in order to overcome negative traits within ourselves. In tasawwuf, it is emphasized to do battle with the ego and break it.

This concept is also found in the saying: "Know yourself, and you will know your Lord."

The concept of "nafs" refers to the soul, or the essence, of a human being. Depending on its state, it can take on different descriptions. These can include:

• The Satisfied Soul: This is when the nafs has achieved calmness and is able to resist the temptations of passion. It is considered to be in a positive state.
• The Self-Accusing Soul: When the nafs is unable to find calmness, but still resists the pull of desires, it is called the self-accusing soul. This is because it recognizes its shortcomings and rebukes its owner for neglecting worship of God.

• The Soul that Enjoins Evil: In this state, the nafs gives in to the temptations of passion and follows the desires of shaytan. It is considered to be in a negative state.

In its essence, the nafs does not necessarily consider its return to God, and is easily influenced by shaytan and his temptations. Only when it is able to resist these temptations and strive towards God can it achieve a state of satisfaction.

Allah Most High has placed His Divine Secrets within us, but we have forgotten our origin and true potential. Our physical attachment to the world has left us in a state of ignorance, masking our hidden beauty and wisdom.

Key Concepts:

1. Perfection is within everyone
2. Allah has placed Divine Secrets in us
3. We have forgotten our true potential
4. Our physical attachment to the world has left us ignorant
5. Our hidden beauty and wisdom may be covered by our physical being

The Divine Books and prophets are guides for spiritual awakening, leading us back to holiness and perfection. If we take a step towards Allah, He promises to come running towards us.

Through His Mercy, Allah has given us the tools and examples we need to overcome the darkness we've enveloped ourselves in and reconnect with our Creator. May we wake up, rediscover our holiness, and draw closer to our origin through the guidance and love of Allah.

There are two souls in man. One is called the animal soul and the other is the human soul. The animal soul controls our physical body and all our actions, while the human soul is a higher level of being, ruling over our desires. This duality within us is what shapes our character.

• Ruhu Hayvani: the animal soul, controls life, mind, senses, feelings, emotions, will, and movement of the physical body.
• Ruhu Insani: the human soul, is a higher level of being, ruling over our desires.

The human soul is divided into two parts:

• Nafsi Ammara, our physical desires
• Nafsi Natiqa, our rational being

Nafsi Ammara, also known as the evil commanding ego, is responsible for our primitive desires. It is often referred to as the "animal soul."

On the other hand, Nafsi Natiqa, or our "rational being," allows us to communicate with speech and connect with our higher selves. Understanding this distinction is essential for personal growth and self-awareness.

The Six Stages of the Spiritual Journey will help you achieve inner peace and contentment by guiding you through:

1. Nafsi Lawwama - listening to your conscience and resisting desires
2. Nafsi Mulhima - receiving direct instructions from your Lord
3. Nafsi Mutmainna - finding peace in serving your Lord
4. Nafsi Radiyya - accepting everything without resentment
5. Nafsi Mardiyya - embodying divine attributes and transcending materiality
6. Nafsi Safiyya - reaching a state of pure harmony

Realize the value of everything, including opinions, is temporary and subjective.

Opt for what is permanent, eternal, and powerful rather than something fleeting.

• Do not rely on the respect and praise of others.
• Do not fear them.
• Do not be like a fool who lights a candle when the sun shines.
• Do not let others dictate your self-worth, for they are ever-changing entities.
• Choose the everlasting and powerful, not the temporary and fleeting.

Remember where you came from and where you will end up. Beauty, strength, intelligence, and wealth won't last forever. Your actions are lent to you by your Creator, good or bad. Be grateful and humble, for the fall from the bottom is less painful than from the top.

To cure arrogance:

• Remember your humble beginnings and your ultimate end
• Realize that everything, including your body and life, is not truly yours
• Thank your Creator and feel shame for your wrongdoings
• Humble yourself to avoid a greater fall

The cure for anger is essentially linked to defeating our pride. When we think we deserve something and don't get it, anger is likely to flare up. It's a quick reaction that's hard to control, like fire, and it burns everything that makes us human. It's crucial to recognize and work on our arrogance in order to tame our anger before it takes over. Here's why:

• Arrogance leads to unrealistic expectations.
• Anger flares up when reality doesn't meet our expectations.
• Once anger catches fire, it's hard to extinguish.
• Like a fire, anger destroys our positive qualities and leaves us wounded.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) advises that when angry, change posture: sit, kneel, or lie and pray for knowledge, kindness, piety, sanity and health.

Ablution with cold water is another helpful step.

By controlling our anger, we can reach the level where we receive the guidance from Allah and advance in our spiritual journey.

Our only purpose is to give our love, respect and service to Allah.. but if given the opportunity every person would be a pharaoh. His ego would declare itself the highest lord.

We must kill the dragon that is our ego and then we will find Allah with us and around us and within us.

If the resolve of the seeker is weak, he will be afflicted with arrogance, will not listen to good advice, and may even fight with those who wish for his well-being, thinking they are belittling him and behaving in a superior manner.

In anger, his mood will become dark and disappointed, and he may start to think that he took the wrong path and was better off before.

He may even blame those who led him to this path, ultimately falling back into his previous condition of being an animal in human form.

If he is warned at the beginning of the second step of Nafsi Lawwama of these dangers,

and if he is intelligent enough not to release the hand which leads him,

and if he follows the advice on how to fight the three enemies of hypocrisy, anger, and arrogance, he will pass this stage quickly.

The longer one lingers in this transitory stage, the worse will be the trials.