Lataif-e-sitta
Lataif-e-sitta are special "Organs of Perception" in Sufi spiritual psychology -- subtle human capacities for perception, experience, and action. Depending on context, the Lataif are also understood to be the corresponding qualities of that perception, experience, or action.
The underlying Arabic word "latifa" means "subtlety" and all Lataif together are understood to make up the human "subtle body"
Realizing the experience of the individual Lataif is considered to be a central part of the comprehensive spiritual development that produces the Sufi ideal of a Perfect Man.
Different Interpretations
Descriptions and interpretations of the Lataif differ depending on the specific Sufi tradition and exponent representing it. In addition, individual Sufi teachers sometimes interpret aspects of Lataif theory and practice according to how the Lataif have been uniquely revealed to them.In general, there are at least three historical interpretations of the Lataif:
that derived from the Kubrāwī order, described in the writings of Najm al-Din Razi and Ala ud-Daula Simnani , which views the Lataif as potential psychospiritual organs/capacities that can be realized as progressive stages in those undergoing spiritual development;
that derived from the Mujaddidiyya branch of the Naqshbandi order, described in the writings of Ahmad Sirhindi, which views the Lataif as psychospiritual organs/capacities that are potential receptors of Divine energy when activated in those undergoing spiritual development;
that derived from the "Afghan Tradition" within the Naqshbandi order, described in the writings of Ikbal Ali Shah and Idries Shah, which views the Lataif as actual human psychospiritual organs/capacities that are implicit in everyday life and made explicit in those undergoing spiritual development.
Kubrāwī Lataif
According to the view of the Kubrawi order there are seven Lataif. They are understood cosmologically as "descending" levels through which reality is created and structured. In the process of spiritual development, the individual Sufi is understood to "ascend" to and through these levels progressively. The attainment of each level is a stage associated with the activation/realization of a corresponding spiritual organ/capacity, interpreted symbolically through Islamic cosmology and the Prophets and messengers in Islam. In ascending order they are:- Latifa Qalabiya, associated with an experience of the color black, represents the acquisition of a new organ, an embryonic subtle body. It is interpreted symbolically as "the Adam of one's being", since Adam was the first human being.
- Latifa Nafsiya, color blue, is an organ that corresponds to the animal soul and is a testing ground for struggle with desires and passions. It is interpreted symbolically as "the Noah of one's being", since Noah faced the same situation in dealing with the hostility of his people.
- Latifa Qalbiya, color red, is the organ that will develop to become the True Ego, the real personal individuality. It is interpreted symbolically as "the Abraham of one's being", since the prophet Abraham historically represents the establishment of real religion.
- Latifa Sirriya, color white, is an organ of superconsciousness. It is interpreted symbolically as "the Moses of one's being", since the prophet Moses participated in spiritual communication with God through this consciousness.
- Latifa Ruhiya, color yellow, is an organ through which an individual becomes capable of acting as vice-regent of God. It is interpreted symbolically as "the David of one's being", since the prophet David fulfilled that role.
- Latifa Khafiya, color black, is the subtle organ that receives spiritual inspiration. It is interpreted symbolically as "the Jesus of one's being", since the prophet Jesus was characteristic of such inspiration.
- Latifa Haqqiya, color green, is the subtle organ that is the final achievement of spiritual development: the True Ego. It is interpreted symbolically as "the Mohammed of one's being", since the prophet Mohammed was the final prophet.
Naqshbandi Lataif (Mujaddidiyya)
According to the view of the Mujaddidiyya branch of the Naqshbandi order there are five Lataif. The reception of each Latifa's spiritual energy from its corresponding cosmic realm is interpreted symbolically through the Prophets and messengers in Islam, similar to the interpretation of the Kubrawi order:- Qalb
- Ruh
- Sirr
- Khafi
- Ikhfa
The Lataif are opened through spiritual practice one-by-one in the foregoing order. Viewed as a progressive activation, each Latifa is considered to be a level of spiritual realization.
The method of opening each Latifa typically begins with a direct transmission by Sufi teacher to student, which can include physical touch and the disclosure of the specific one of the Names of God in Islam that is associated with the Latifa. The student then continues the practice by silent Dhikr of the Divine Name, focusing attention on the Latifa's location; sometimes a visualization of the Name, the corresponding Prophet, or the teacher is also added.
Naqshbandi Lataif (Afghan Tradition)
According to the Afghan tradition within the Naqshbandi order there are five Lataif:- Qalb
- Ruh
- Sirr
- Khafi
- Ikhfa
Sufi inspired teacher Hameed Ali interprets some of these equivalents as follows:
- Qalb
- Ruh
- Sirr
- Khafi
- Ikhfa
One such method, a special form of "tajalli", involves joint receptivity of a Latifa by Sufi teacher and student together. Another method is the direct activation, called "tawajjuh", of the Latifa by an intentional interaction between teacher and student. Yet another method, a special kind of "muraqaba", includes having the student concentrate awareness on the part of the body that is related to a Latifa.
History of Interpretations
- The general concept of spiritual "subtle centers" apparently originated with Persian Sufism: Junayd of Baghdad, Al-Ghazali, and Shahab al-Din Abu Hafs Umar Suhrawardi.
- Among the earliest systematic formulations of the Lataif is thought to be that of Persian and Kubrawi Sufi Najm al-Din Razi. He proposed five Lataif, possibly to parallel the five inner and outer senses of the Islamic version of ancient Greek medical theory, and sought to establish a basis for them in the Quran.
- The seven "Lataif" model then followed with Persian and Kubrawi Sufi Ala ud-Daula Simnani, who added two Lataif to the five of Razi -- one above and one below -- which made the number of Lataif parallel the seven ontological levels of Sufi cosmology.
- From the 17th to 19th centuries, the Indian Mujaddidis returned to a standardized interpretation of five experiential Lataif and associated their locations with parts of the physical body.
- The Afghan tradition within the Naqshbandi in the late 19th and 20th centuries continued with five Lataif but identified the experience of their physical locations differently and viewed them not just as higher centers of consciousness but also as centers of ordinary consciousness not properly awakened.
- Since the Divine Attributes that underlie the Lataif are in principle unlimited, it is thought by some that the actual number of Lataif and their potential realization by humanity might likewise be unlimited...