Wednesday, May 10,
2017
Mystical writings from every world tradition speak of our
cleansing the soul, or cleansing the self, in order to remove anything in us
that would keep us from experiencing God in all His fullness. Christianity of
course, goes beyond that because it presents the reality of the Resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead.
Nonetheless, there is value in mystical teachings from other
traditions. I came across one teaching about the
“stages of the self” that makes a lot of sense to me. Perhaps you will find it
helpful as well. Here are the stages:
1. The Commanding Self.
At this level, the self is not free but rather is controlled by dark
desires, by addictions to negative traits and habits, and the addicts are in
denial, refusing to recognize or admit that there is a problem.
2. The Regretful Self.
The light begins to penetrate the darkness. Insight grows, often for the
first time. Sufi teacher alJerrari says that “at this level, people do not yet
have the ability to change their way of life in a significant way. However, as
they see their faults more clearly, their regret and desire for change grows. .
. . “like addicts, they are beginning to realize the strength of their
addiction and are just beginning to understand the pain they have caused
themselves and others.”
3. The Inspired Self.
At this level, the seeker begins to take genuine pleasure in prayer,
meditations and other spiritual activities. The seeker begins to appreciate
moral values such as compassion and service. This is where the real practice of
the spiritual life begins. “Behaviors common to the inspired self include
gentleness, compassion, creative acts and moral actions. Overall, a person who
is at the stage of the inspired self seems to be emotionally mature,
respectable and respected.”
4. The Contented self.
This stage is described in the Rule
of Saint Benedict discussing the 4th step of humility. alJerrari
writes: “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.”
I’m going to stop at this point and will continue with the stages
of the self next time.
God bless you!
Excerpts come from the
Introduction to “Essential Sufism” pp. 20-23
Fr. Bede Camera, O.S.B.
Saint Anselm Abbey
Manchester, NH 03102
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