The Sufi path of self-transformation

Bahman A.K. Shirazi

According to Sufi teachings, the mystical journey from our mundane surface awareness to the depths and heights of Self-consciousness involves a process of transformation of consciousness and personality that may be described in terms of seven stages of psychospiritual transformation. In this chapter Islam, Sufism and their relationship are explored and the key aspects of human experience in Sufi psychology, self (nafs), heart (ghalb), and soul (ruh) are discussed in relation to the stages of the journey and the process of transformation of the self.