An heuristic analysis of descriptive interpretations of experiences considered to be mystical and profound by Western practitioners on a Sufi spiritual path

The original purpose of this study was to build on the understanding derived from the foundational work in Western and Transpersonal Psychology, Philosophy, and Mysticism as they relate to the Sufi-based conceptual understanding of Unity through the study of descriptive interpretations of profound and mystical experiences of Western practitioners on a Sufi spiritual path. Maslow's concept of Unitive Peak Experience is a significant theoretical foundation from the vantage point of Western psychology which I had originally thought related directly to the Sufi-based profound and mystical experience. This research however indicates that it is an indirect relationship. Studying and learning how to cultivate unitive peak experience may provide individuals with self-fulfillment through personal growth and transcendent awareness. This level of awareness is however surpassed by the Sufi principle of unity. The Western and Transpersonal, paradigms fell short of the Sufi theory and application to data analysis for illuminating and synthesizing the descriptive interpretations of profound and mystical experiences. Rather, this researcher has relied principally on Sufi theory to synthesize the descriptive interpretations of mystical and profound experiences. Through Sufi-based profound and mystical experiences, the individual experiences ma'arefat or the inner witnessing of the unity of Self-knowledge which leads to understanding and transcendence. In every moment and in every action, in every breath and cell, the individual is capable of being in a state of Unity, oneness of heart and mind. This is the gnostic mystical realization of erphan (understanding). In Sufism, unity is the unfolding understanding and witnessing, a progressive Becoming, of a profound and mystical experience beyond the limitations of multiplicity, within the realm of universal light and Divine fana (annihilation in love). The descriptive interpretations of profound and mystical experiences thereby could not be determined to be the same as the Sufi principle of Unity or even link directly to unitive peak experience. Unitive peak experiences arise but unity awakens and instills wisdom. Both are inclusive of a depth spectrum though they differ in magnitude. Additionally, this researcher developed the concept of a web-like unitive spectrum that encompasses a broad range of profound and mystical experiences. The ultimate point of unity is beyond descriptive interpretation. Therefore, the mystical and profound experiences studied in this research came to be understood as progressive qualities of experience that are aspects of a web-like unitive spectrum of ever deepening complex transcendent process.