Sufi Education and the Construction of the Tranquil Self: A Psychological Approach

Abstract

This study addresses the topic of “Sufi Education and the Construction of the Tranquil Self” from an analytical psycho-educational perspective. It seeks to examine how Sufi education contributes to achieving inner balance within the human psyche, and the possibility of benefiting from this spiritual model in contemporary psychological fields. The researcher starts from a central question: Can the Sufi experience be considered an effective model for rebuilding the self from within at a time marked by the spread of anxiety, tension, and spiritual alienation?

The study adopts a comparative analytical methodology by highlighting the intersections between concepts from modern psychology—such as the “reconciled self,” “psychological balance,” and the “search for meaning”—and core Sufi concepts such as dhikr (remembrance), contentment, and love. The analysis shows that Sufi practices like remembrance, self-observation, retreat, and formative companionship are not merely spiritual tools, but also effective means for restoring the inner psychological state and achieving emotional balance. The study also highlights points of convergence between the concept of the tranquil self in Sufi education and modern psychological concepts related to mental health, calling for the Sufi heritage to be viewed not only as an emotional and spiritual legacy, but as a practical methodology for building a balanced individual capable of confronting the crises of the modern age.