The process of self-perfection is decidedly the basic concept and leading thread in Ostad Elahi’s teachings. It is therefore important to understand what it implies. It does not mean developing one’s talents, or attaining perfect mastery of some technical ability. There are many different ways of improving one’s physical or mental skills; but when it comes to spirituality, it is the very essence of human nature which is the main issue. The purpose of spirituality is not merely to develop physical and mental faculties, but to bring one’s essential self to full spiritual maturity.

Now, the question is, what do we mean by bringing oneself to full spiritual maturity, which has nothing to do with aptitudes valued and approved by society? What does perfecting oneself entail, when applied, not to the various aspects of one’s personality, but to one’s essential self? Do we need to make out a list of performances to be improved upon? And if we are to acquire certain qualities, how are we to identify them? To understand all this, we must first clarify what is meant by the “self” – what is it in me that says “I”.
The concept of perfection, as applied to humans, would remain undefined, if it were not taken into account as an idea directly related to the specific finality of human beings. It is only when we understand what we, as human beings, can become, how we are made to better ourselves, and finally realize truly what we are, that the question of perfection can acquire a more concrete meaning. Now, what is our highest potential, our ultimate aim as human beings? To bring our nature to full bloom, to develop all our inner powers to the highest possible degree, and thus raise human traits within us to their highest level. This is how the concept of transcendence takes on a concrete meaning, being inseparable from the drive that prompts us towards a higher state of self-realization. Human beings are creatures who have the capacity to transform their essential being into radiating human qualities within themselves.

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See also:

• The process of spiritual perfection
• Virtue
• The Quintessence of Religions

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