To know yourself or to introspect, it is necessary to know some things.

 

The Most Profound and Meaningful Journey in Life Is to Know Oneself — That Is, Self-Realization. Many strive to understand the outer world of life, but they often neglect their own inner world — their thoughts, mental patterns, and inner vision. Yet, true peace, self-confidence, and a grounded worldview only emerge when we come to truly know our real selves.

In Sufism, self-realization is not merely a personal insight; it is a spiritual journey — one that begins by knocking on the doors of the heart and ends in the thirst for closeness to the Creator.
“Whoever knows himself, knows his Lord” — this Hadith is the fundamental motto of Sufi self-realization.

The word ‘self’ (আত্মা) means “I”. From the self comes the soul — that is, “ego” or “I-ness”. Who am I? And what is this “I-ness”? For thousands of years, saints, monks, dervishes, prophets, messengers, and philosophers have explored the meaning and significance of this concept.

Views of Sufi Saints and Philosophers

One of the greatest philosophers, Socrates, said: “Know thyself.”All religious scriptures of the world essentially echo the same message: “Know thyself.”To know oneself is to recognize one’s own “I-ness”. Another meaning of “I-ness” is “ego”. The word “egoism” stems from “ego” — which signifies being overly optimistic, overconfident, proud, or self-centered about oneself.

To understand this “I-ness,” one must gain deep knowledge of soul science (আত্মতত্ত্ব) and self-realization — a goal achievable only through great spiritual discipline. As the poet abindranath Tagore expressed his own despair about self-knowledge: “I could never finish knowing myself.” Even he could not fully comprehend the depths of the self. So, for ordinary people like us, the idea of instantly knowing oneself is simply unrealistic.

The renowned Baul saint of Bengal, Lalon Shah, said: “In cities and towns, the word 'I' is uttered again and again.” He also said: “One who knows oneself, can know the Creator.”

Another legendary Baul and lover of God, Hason Raja, said: “Who am I, and who are You — I couldn’t understand; I see nothing else but the One.”

From these reflections and sayings of the great mystics, we realize that even they did not reach a clear conclusion about the concept of “I-ness.”
However, from the Holy Qur’an, we find a more definitive understanding of the self. The Arabic word “nafs” corresponds to “I-ness.” As per the Qur'an: "Whoever knows his nafs, indeed he has known his Lord" (Arafa Nafsahu Faqad Arafa Rabbahu).

According to Sufism, Here Are the Things One Must Know for Self-Realization:

1. Understanding the Nafs (Soul or Inner Self)

Sufis believe that the journey of self-knowledge begins with a deep awareness of one’s nafs. There are different levels of the nafs:

·         Nafs-e-Ammara (the commanding or base self),

·         Nafs-e-Lawwama (the self-reproaching self),

·         Nafs-e-Mutma’inna (the peaceful and content self).

At each stage, one must purify and elevate the self.

2. Tawbah (Repentance) and Inner Purification

The first step toward self-realization is sincere repentance. The goal is to rid oneself of inner arrogance, greed, envy, and worldly attachments.
Sufis hold that without purifying the heart, divine love cannot be truly experienced.

3. Dhikr (Remembrance) and Meditation

Dhikr, or the remembrance of God, is a central Sufi practice. Through constant remembrance, the doors of the heart open, and the seeker begins to experience the presence of God from within.
Meditation isn’t merely silence; it is full surrender and attention to the Divine.

4. Murshid (Spiritual Guide)

Sufis believe that the path of self-realization is nearly impossible without a Murshid or spiritual master.
Under the guidance of the Murshid, the seeker can navigate the inner journey, going beyond mere rituals and reaching the soul’s essence.

5. Fana and Baqa (Annihilation and Abiding in God)

The final stage of self-realization is Fana — the annihilation of the self into the will of God.
Then comes Baqa — the state of abiding eternally in God’s presence. At this stage, the individual no longer lives for themselves but lives through the love and will of the Divine.

Conclusion

Sufi philosophy teaches that self-realization is a mirror — if you truly see yourself in it, you will also perceive a reflection of your Lord. This self-knowledge is not just an intellectual pursuit, but a practice of love, surrender, and faith. This path is not easy. It requires patience, focus, and inner honesty.

The process of knowing oneself is not a one-time event — it is a lifelong inner expedition. Yet, this journey impacts every area of life — from thought, relationships, and work to emotional and spiritual well-being. Self-realization transforms a person into a more humane, sensitive, and conscious being.

Finally, let us end this reflection with a noble verse from the Holy Qur’an:
“And they ask you, [O Prophet], about the soul. Say: The soul is of the affair of my Lord. And of knowledge, you have been given only a little.” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:85)