Bahram Elahi - Fundamentals of the Process of Spiritual Perfection: A Practical Guide

Contents

By the Same Author

The Path of Perfection

The Way of Light

Foundations of Natural Spirituality

Spirituality is a Science

Medicine of the Soul

Fundamentals of the Process of Spiritual Perfection: A Practical Guide

Copyright 2022 by Bahram Elahi, MD

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Elahi, Bahram, author.

Title: Fundamentals of the process of spiritual perfection : a practical guide / Bahram Elahi, MD.

Other titles: Fondamentaux du perfectionnement spirituel. English

Description: Rhinebeck, New York : Monkfish Book Publishing Company, [2022] | Includes bibliographical references. | Translated from French and Persian.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021058414 (print) | LCCN 2021058415 (ebook) | ISBN 9781948626613 (paperback) | ISBN 9781948626620 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Spirituality. | Spiritual life.

Classification: LCC BL624 .E4413 2022 (print) | LCC BL624 (ebook) | DDC 204/.4--dc23/eng/20220120

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021058414

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021058415

Monkfish Book Publishing Company

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Rhinebeck, NY 12572

(845) 876-4861

monkfishpublishing.com

List of Panels

Figures

Before reading this Practical Guide , it is recommended that readers carefully study and project themselves within these figures, as if they were a reflection of their own self (their own soul).

Note on the English Translation

F undamentals of the Process of Spiritual Perfection: A Practical Guide was contemporaneously authored in both French and Persian. The rendering of the English translation thus faced the unusual challenge of having to harmonize two original works with minor discrepancies. Toward that end, manuscripts in both languages were regularly consulted to ensure the precise meaning intended by the author; any remaining instances of ambiguity or uncertainty were resolved by conferring directly with the author himself.

Beyond the intricacies of language, readers of all backgrounds will quickly come to recognize that this work comprises a condensed handbook that sets forth a detailed overview of a vast and complex subjectthe fundamentals of the process of spiritual perfection. From the outset, the author makes clear that the objective is to present timeless and universal principles in a manner and language that is accessible to modern-day readers. Naturally, such an approach requires the introduction of new terminology that was conceived in Persian and French. As is often the case, a strict translation of these terms and concepts would not adequately capture the various nuances of their original language. Every effort has thus been made to identify English equivalents that faithfully preserve and convey their intended meaning and spirit.

It should also be noted that the frequent repetition employed by the author to reinforce many of these unfamiliar terms and concepts has been retained in this translation, irrespective of any stylistic considerations. At its heart, this work constitutes a concrete and pragmatic guide to the daily practice of spirituality. The overarching goal of this translation has been to effectively convey the foundational principles of this practice in a language that is accessible.

Finally, it should be self-evident that the appellation of God in the pages that follow transcends any notion of gender. Whereas the Persian language allows for the invocation of gender-neutral pronouns, the French adopts the standard use of masculine pronouns in referring to God. To maintain consistency and facilitate legibility, the decision was made to retain the French convention in the usage of such pronouns.

Foreword

T his work presents that which I have learned from Ostad Elahi, my father, who founded a novel approach to the process of spiritual perfection that he referred to as the new medicine of the soul . It is rooted not only in his words and writings, but also in his personal example as reflected in his smallest deeds and daily conduct.

The concepts presented here are not based purely on intellectual interpretation, but rather result from personal experimentation aimed at providing direct access to his thought and teachings. I thus find myself in a position comparable to that of a biographer: To present a faithful portrait of a man and his life, the biographer must render his own personality and opinions secondary to that of his subject.

Extensive research over the years has enabled me to discover the concrete meaning of Ostads teachings, research that was marked by a constant effort to grasp the truth through an in vivo practice. secondary, what relates to the fundamentals of spiritual perfection and what is context-specific. The principles that are presented here, however, are universal in their scope: they concern, without exception, all beings endowed with reason, including human beings, regardless of their beliefs or culture. Thus, what remained to be done was to adapt the meaning and form of these principles to our own times; that is what I have endeavored to do as faithfully as possible, even if it has required the introduction of new terminology in some instances. Throughout this process, I have sought to pave a way that will allow everyone to access the Truth and the living real divine truths I have learned from him.

My own understanding of these truths has evolved over the years, becoming more complete and precise. Such a progression is only natural when one engages in the process of spiritual perfection while concurrently tending to ones material and family life. Accordingly, any perceived differences between Fundamentals of the Process of Spiritual Perfection and my earlier publications should be resolved in favor of my most recent works.