Binary division between emotional spirituality and non-emotional one, upon a comparative study of Patanjali Yoga and Islamic Mysticism

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Assistant professor, Tehran University

Abstract

In this article, through a case study of yoga and its comparison with Islamic spirituality, we document the division of "spirituality" into "emotional-non-emotional". "Spirituality" is a profound transformation in human existence that turns the intellectual, emotional and behavioral image of man toward the excellence of earthly and animal life. Spiritual paths, as seen in religions and cultures of the world, are varied, and this diversity can be compared on the basis of a three-part analysis: the goal of spiritual path, its route and the techniques of spiritual evolution. The present article compares Patanjali yoga with Islamic mysticism on the basis of this method of analysis and shows that yoga is very devoid of emotional emotion and therefore emotionally devoid of all three components. It can be called "non-emotional spirituality." If yoga is about achieving superior consciousness and eliminating all attachment and suffering, Islamic mysticism is about loving devotion to righteousness and welcomes suffering. The path of Islamic conduct and the techniques of evolution in Islamic mysticism, unlike yoga, are full of heart-wrenching imports and pure emotional transformation. By this comparison, one can identify two types of spirituality (emotional spirituality and non-emotional spirituality) and apply it to the analysis of other spiritualties. Every spirituality can be placed on the point of a spectrum, the spectrum of which, on the one hand, is purely emotional and on the other, spirituality devoid of spiritual emotions.

Keywords

References

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Religions and Mysticism
Volume 52, Issue 1
August 2020
Pages 9-21

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