THE SUFI JOURNEY TOWARDS NONDUAL SELF-REALIZATION LAUREN JULIA BONI Honours B.A., University of Toronto, 2005 A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Lethbridge in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF SCIENCE Health Sciences University of Lethbridge LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA, CANADA © Lauren Julia Boni, 2010 Library and Archives Bibliotheque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington OttawaONK1A0N4 OttawaONK1A0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-68785-7 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-68785-7 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, prefer, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non­ support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriete du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in this et des droits moraux qui protege cette these. Ni thesis. Neither the thesis nor la these ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci substantial extracts from it may be ne doivent etre imprimes ou autrement printed or otherwise reproduced reproduits sans son autorisation. without the author's permission. In compliance with the Canadian Conformement a la loi canadienne sur la Privacy Act some supporting forms protection de la vie privee, quelques may have been removed from this formulaires secondaires ont ete enleves de thesis. cette these. While these forms may be included Bien que ces formulaires aient inclus dans in the document page count, their la pagination, il n'y aura aucun contenu removal does not represent any loss manquant. of content from the thesis. 1*1 Canada Abstract Sufism is a living mystical tradition with tools and a theoretical framework geared to facilitate the realization of one's full potential. This thesis examines the nature of such a realization, which culminates in an experience of nondual Self-realization. Transpersonal psychology provided the conceptual framework for this study, as it attempts to document the role that altered states of consciousness play in facilitating health and wellbeing. This research also drew heavily from the methodology of phenomenological hermeneutics and transpersonal phenomenology, which supported the investigation into the lived experience of five Sufi practitioners. The guiding research question of this exploratory inquiry asks, What has been the lived experience of Sufi practitioners on their journey towards nondual Self-realization? The research findings consist of eight themes that emerged during the analysis of the textual data. The implications of these findings impact the health and counseling fields, as well as the environmental crisis. 111 Acknowledgements I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported me throughout this poignant journey. To my thesis supervisor Dr. Gary Nixon, my sincerest gratitude for your tremendous insight along the way and for constantly making the link between the outer and inner journey. Thank you for allowing this to be an authentic experience, one which has unfolded organically. To my committee members, Dr. Brad Hagen and Dr. Hillary Rodrigues for your assurance and direction throughout this process. To my course instructors, Dr. Ruth Grant Kalischuk for sharing your enthusiasm for qualitative research and Dr. david Gregory for your belief and interest in this work. To Dr. Marcia Rich, my practicum supervisor, for your encouragement and wise instruction. To the Halveti-Jerrahi Sufi community for opening your doors to me, and especially to the respected Sheikh Tevfik Aydoner al-Jerrahi for your loving and welcoming presence. To the five co-researchers whose stories have moved me deeply, thank you for your openness of heart and for allowing me to relive the very precious moments of your sacred journeys. My deepest appreciation to all friends and family members... IV Table of Contents APPROVAL PAGE II ABSTRACT in ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv LIST OF TABLES vm CHAPTER I - THE SUFI JOURNEY TOWARDS NONDUAL SELF-REALIZATION 1 INTRODUCTION 1 ARRIVING AT THE RESEARCH TOPIC 1 Healing through Self-realization 2 SITUATING THE SUFI JOURNEY WITHIN A HEALTH CONTEXT 3 Holism in the Health Field 4 A Holistic Psychology 5 PURPOSE 6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS] 6 SIGNIFICANCE 7 OVERVIEW OF THE THESIS 7 CHAPTER SUMMARY 9 CHAPTER II - A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 10 INTRODUCTION 10 Two CONCEPTUALIZATIONS OF THE PSYCHE 10 INTRODUCING KEY CONCEPTS 14 ABRAHAM MASLOW'S WORK 15 Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs 15 Self-actualization 17 Peak-experiences and Nondual States 18 Farther Reaches of Human Nature 20 PERENNIAL PHILOSOPHY 21 The Necessity of Self-transcendence 23 The Perennial Need for Self-realization 24 TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY 25 Defining 'Transpersonal' 26 Wilber's Spectrum of Development 28 Stage 10: Nondual Self-realization 30 WHYSUFISM? 32 Sufism and Perennial Philosophy 34 Sufism Defined 34 Transforming the Nafs 35 The Seven Levels of the Nafs 38 The Seven Facets of the Soul 44 v CHAPTER SUMMARY. .47 CHAPTER III - RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 49 INTRODUCTION 49 WILBER'S THREE STRANDS OF EPISTEMOLOGY 50 The Three 'Eyes' 50 Wilber's Verification Procedure 53 RUMI'S Two KINDS OF INTELLIGENCE 54 INQUIRY IN THE HUMAN AND NATURAL SCIENCES 56 PHENOMENOLOGY 57 Van Manen's Methodological Procedures 58 PHENOMENOLOGICAL-HERMENEUTICS 58 Researcher and Co-researcher's Relationship 59 The Implicated Researcher 60 PHENOMENOLOGICAL APPROACH TO DATA ANALYSIS 61 THE HERMENEUTIC CIRCLE 62 THE FECUNDITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL CASE 64 TRANSPERSONAL PHENOMENOLOGY 66 RESEARCH DESIGN 69 Access to the Halveti-Jerrahi Sufi Community 69 Inclusion Criteria for Co-researcher Selection 70 INTERVIEW PROCEDURE 71 SCIENTIFIC RIGOR AND TRUSTWORTHINESS 72 Conferring of Validity 74 Triangulation 75 RESEARCH LIMITATIONS 76 COMPLIANCE WITH ETHICAL STANDARDS 78 CHAPTER SUMMARY 79 CHAPTER IV - THE GRAND NARRATIVE OF THE SUFI JOURNEY IN EIGHT THEMES 80 INTRODUCTION 80 THE FIVE CO-RESEARCHERS 80 Waliye 80 Janan 82 Rashid 83 Nuriyana 83 Fouad 84 AWAKENING THE EYE OF THE HEART: A PAINFUL OPENING TO SELF-INQUIRY 85 THE DANCE OF THE SEEKER: TASTING THE MANY 'WINES' 99 INVITATION TO THE PATH: SYNCHRONICITY AND THE DIVINE HAND 113 ENTERING DERVISHOOD: SURRENDERING TO THE CARE OF THE SPIRITUAL PHYSICIAN 124 "KNOW THYSELF": POLISHING THE MIRROR OF THE HEART 142 DIVINE WITNESSING: UNVEILING THE SELF BEYOND THE EGO 159 "DIE BEFORE YOU DIE": BURNING IN THE FLAMES OF DIVINE LOVE 175 SUBSISTENCE IN ONENESS: EMERGENCE OF THE ESSENTIAL SELF 185 VI CHAPTER V - DISCUSSION OF THE RESEARCH FINDINGS 209 INTRODUCTION 209 A REVIEW OF THE SUFI JOURNEY 209 STRENGTHS, LIMITATIONS AND IDEAS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH 213 IMPLICATIONS FOR THE HEALTH FIELD 215 Lalonde's Conceptualization of the Health Field 215 Care Versus Cure 216 Lifestyle and Environment 216 Scientism, Materialism and the Modern Western Lifestyle 217 Individualism, Egotism and Ill-health 218 A Holistic Lifestyle Offered through Sufism 220 IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS 221 IMPLICATIONS FOR THE COUNSELING FIELD 224 FINAL REFLECTIONS 227 REFERENCES 232 APPENDICES 249 Appendix A: Posted Announcement 249 Appendix B: Circulated Email 250 Appendix C: Consent Form 251 VI1 List of Tables Table 1: The Sufi Conceptualization of the Seven Facets of the Soul 45 vm Chapter I - The Sufi Journey towards Nondual Self-realization Introduction The opening chapter of this thesis serves as an introduction to the research topic, namely, the Sufi journey towards nondual Self-realization. I begin this introduction by briefly sharing the personal journey that has brought me to this research. My reflections help to disclose my relationship to the topic and my own personal situatedness within this study as an implicated researcher. I will then offer a discussion of how research into the Sufi journey fits into the greater context of the health field today, outlining its relevance and significance. Finally, the purpose of this study will be discussed and an overview of the thesis will be presented. Arriving at the Research Topic We do not see the world as it is, we see the world as we are. Adin Steinsaltz, The Essential Talmud The philosophical orientation of the methodology in this study highlights the importance of unveiling the researcher's personal relationship to the topic. In particular, the hermeneutic tradition emphasizes the interpretive lens through which we perceive the world, and with which we encounter any form of inquiry. As the principal researcher of this study, I did not approach this work objectively or as a detached value-free observer — rather as a "self, a bearer of intentionality and meaning" (Wilber, 2000, p. 161), I approached this work, interpreted this work and saw this work through my own personal filters. I have emerged out of a certain context within the world and have experienced, as a consequence, a particular life trajectory. These factors have shaped my present "field of 1 understanding," or what Hans-Georg Gadamer would refer to as my "horizon" (1987). This means that I hold values and assumptions about the world that are so deeply a part of who I am that I cannot possibly arrive at a conscious awareness of them all. For this reason it is important that I disclose my relationship to the Sufi path and provide some background about my personal quest for Self-realization. Socrates famously declared that an "unexamined life is not worth living" and it is these immortal words that have guided my own life's path.