Development Towards Wisdom and Maturity : Sufi Conception of Self

• By applying results from in-depth interviews with older Iranian Sufis residing in Sweden, this article describes the benefits of the value system of Sufism prizing mystical union above self-realization. As persons conceive of themselves as all forming parts of other-than-self rather than as separate selves, the result is tolerance towards other people's opinions and the vanishing of hostile feelings and competition. Compassion and identification with the whole of creation allows Sufis to avoid the sense of loneliness and exclusion felt by so many immigrants.  

Nyckelord

Aging

Sufism

annihilation

the unity of existence

Self-realization

Sociology

Sociologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)