Thursday, May 11,
2017
Yesterday I began listing the
“stages of the self” as described by a Sufi teacher. Today I continue the list.
We left off with the fourth
stage of the self which he calls “The Contented Self”
4. The Contented self.
“If one accepts difficulties with the same overall sense of security
with which one accepts benefits, it may be said that one has attained the level
of the contented self.”
This stage reminds me of what St. Benedict calls the “4th
step of humility: “under difficult, unfavorable, or even unjust conditions, his
heart quietly embraces suffering and endures it without weakening or seeking
escape.” (RB 7.35-36)
5. The Pleased Self.
At this stage, one begins to understand that everything, even
difficulties and trials, comes from God. I would add to this that St. Benedict
encourages us to understand that all of these things, as unpleasant as they
might be, lead to our ultimate salvation. Again I quote the Rule:
“They are so confident in their expectation of reward from
God that they continue joyfully and say, But
in all this we overcome because of him who so greatly loves us. (Rom 8:37)
(RB 7.39)
Perhaps you have discovered this for yourself. Can you
remember a time when you were suffering these “difficulties and trials” only to
discover that once you have passed through them, you arrive at a new and more
wonderful level of existence, and that certain gifts and blessings that you
experience in the present were purchased by the pain of the past. And,
furthermore, if you happen to be passing through a time of difficulties and
trials right now, perhaps you can take hope from this teaching, knowing that
“this too shall pass,” and you will attain a renewed peace, understanding and
serenity.
6. The “Self pleasing to God” I quote the Sufi explanation: “Those who
reach this next stage realize that all power to act comes from God, that they
can do nothing by themselves. They no longer fear anything nor ask for
anything.”
On one hand, few reach this stage, but on the other hand, it
is basic Christian spirituality that leads us to realize that we can do nothing
by ourselves. This is significant, because in our own development we have to
reach a point where we realize that the help we need (especially in struggling
against addiction of any kind) does not come from within us, but rather comes
from outside of us; that is, from God Himself. So many people resist
this realization, and the more they resist it, the more they stay stuck in
their misery and hopelessness even if they fail to realize how bad off they are
or how stuck they remain.
7. “The pure self”
This is a mystical stage, attained by very few, in which one has
transcended the self and only exist in union with God. I believe that we do
reach this stage for very brief moments in our lives, but are quickly pulled
back by the lure of the self. I know that I am far from realizing this stage
but admit that there is something desirable in it. For myself, I think that I
will only reach this stage, God willing, after death. Since I haven’t
experienced it, I can’t say any more about it, but I will leave you with a few
lines of a poem by the Sufi poet Rumi which give a hint of this stage of
existence:
If you could get rid
of yourself just once,
The secret of secrets
Would be open to you.
The face of the unknown,
Hidden beyond the universe
Would appear on the
Mirror of your perception.
As always, take what helps and leave the rest aside for
another time perhaps.
God bless you!
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