International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Volume 32 | Issue 2 Article 11 7-1-2013 “Transpersonal Pakistan” Paul Heelas Erasmus University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/ijts-transpersonalstudies Part of the Philosophy Commons, Psychology Commons, Religion Commons, and the Sociology Commons Recommended Citation Heelas, P. (2013). Heelas, P. (2013). “Transpersonal Pakistan.” International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 32(2), 98–110.. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 32 (2). http://dx.doi.org/10.24972/ijts.2013.32.2.98 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License. This Special Topic Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals and Newsletters at Digital Commons @ CIIS. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Journal of Transpersonal Studies by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ CIIS. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. “Transpersonal Pakistan” Paul Heelas Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands The essay is controversial. The argument that Sufi-inspired transpersonal experiences, practices and processes are widespread does not match the popular view of Pakistan as a major homeland of Islamic ‘fundamentalism’ and militancy. Neither does the argument match the views of all those Islamists who bind Sufism to the transcendent theism of tradition. In various ways and to varying degrees, the most illustrious of Sufi saints move away from tradition and the alterity of the Godhead. For this reason Sufi saints can serve as a powerful font of transpersonal humanism, a universal humanism of humanity which plays a critical role in holding the nation together.