7 Major Stages Of Spiritual Awakening According To Sufism
Spiritual awakening knows no limitations of caste, creed or religion. Any person in the world can experience the pleasure of union with the supreme power and attaining moksha (which is the last stage of spiritual awakening). However, many believe that the spiritual awakening experiences are restricted to certain religions and spiritual traditions, like Hinduism and Buddhism for example. This is certainly not the truth. Sufism, an esoteric path within Islam, also follows a variety of spiritual practices, leading to the awakening experiences. It showcases us the way to God through spirituality and emotions.
The ancient practices and mystical teachings imparted by the Sufis have great level of importance for the spiritual seekers today. Not just this, Sufism also describes the major stages spiritual awakening that explains the spiritual journey of the soul traveling from this world to a world that is closer to God.
The Story of the Seven Valleys
Before discussing these stages of spiritual awakening, lets have a look at a story by Farid al-Din Attar (12th Century Sufi poet), who first described these stages. The story goes like this – Once upon a time, there were thousands of birds who were eager to find a King for their Kingdom. Keeping a great level of determination in their mind, they set out for the journey. On their way, they found seven valleys, each having a different name and significance. When they began crossing the valleys, some birds died, some gave up, some returned to their kingdom and some made excuses. So, only 30 birds made through the journey. At the end of the journey, they realized that the king they were looking for is a reflection of themselves.
Eventually, they become fully aware of the fact that all of them are the part of a whole. This story, ‘Colloquy of the Birds’ is based on a belief that God is the totality of existence. He resides in us, and we reside in him. Hence, God is not separate from the universe, and we are not separate from God. The seven valleys, as described in this story poem are Talab, Eshq, Marifat, Istighnah, Tawheed, Hayrat and, finally, Fuqur and Fana.
The following table lists the valleys as described in the Sufi path of awakening:
| Stage Number | Valley Name (Sufi Term) | Translation/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Talab | The Valley of Search |
| 2 | Eshq | The Valley of Love |
| 3 | Marifat | Knowledge/Insight |
| 4 | Istighnah | Independence/Detachment |
| 5 | Tawheed | Unity |
| 6 | Hayrat | Bewilderment/Wonder |
| 7 | Fuqur and Fana | Poverty and Annihilation |
7 Stages Of Spiritual Awakening
Now that you know about the valleys or stages of spiritual awakening (as mentioned above), lets get acquainted with them in detail.
1. The Valley of Search
This is the first step in the journey of a spiritual seeker. According to Bahá’u’lláh – the writer of the book ‘Seven Valleys’ – one must not follow the path followed by his forefathers, and should cleanse his heart before embarking on this spiritual journey. Patience and ardor are the major keys to traverse this valley.
2. The Valley of Love
This stage symbolizes reason and love by smoke and fire. It states that where there is love, there is no room for reason; it simply vanishes. When a person gains inner sight, he is able to see the spiritual foundation of the visible world. He knows that he won’t be able to learn the importance of love, if he keeps seeing the world with the eyes of ‘reasons’. Hence, he completely dissolves reason.