WISDOM INHERENT IN MYSTICAL PHILOSOPHY: T CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF SHAMS TABRIZI'S FIRST SIX RULES OF SPIRITUAL LOVE FROM THE FORTY RULES OF LOVE BY ELIF SHAFAK

Shahnila Tariq; Syed Kumail Abdi

Shahnila Tariq Associate Professor, Department of Applied Psychology, UMT, Lahore, Pakistan
Syed Kumail Abdi Clinical Psychologist, Speech Lingua Spot, Lahore, Pakistan

Keywords: Forty Rules of Love, Sufism, Wisdom, Shams of Tabriz

Abstract

Shafak’s The Forty Rules of Love captures a strong association between the spiritual love and the Sufi’s love. Numerous studies investigated the various phenomenon in the Shafak’s novel, however, no one focused on Shams’ wisdom behind the rules presented. This study aims to explore the wisdom inherent in Mystical Philosophy, through analysing Shams’ first six rules of spiritual love. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) method, first six rules of the God’s love are identified as: (1) We see God as a direct reflection of ourselves (2) Heart is the primary source of truth & God (3) There are four levels of insight (4) God is not confined to one place (5) Intellect and love are composed of different materials (6) Do not ever take words, explore meanings through silence. The mirror, fearless & pure heart, compassion, soul, spiritual insight, universal, timeless knowledge, patience and silence are found as the chief components of spiritual love. The study provides the significant information in extracting the desired information and reaching the conclusion. These results are thus helpful in generalizing the outcomes in particular context.