nafsi  

What is nafsi?

In Islam the word Nafsi means soul:
Nafsi (n class, plural nafsi) soul (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) self.

And In Arabic:

"nafsi" (نَفْسِي) is an adjective that means "myself" or "personal." It is derived from the word "nafs" (نَفْس), which means "soul" or "self." When used as an adjective, "nafsi" is typically used to describe something that is personal to oneself or something that is done by oneself.

Definition of Nafs:

Nafs (نَفْس) is an Arabic word occurring in the Quran, literally meaning "self", and has been translated as "psyche", "ego" or "soul"

Purpose of the NAFSI Project

The NAFSI Project seeks to explore the nature of the ego, examining how it influences behavior and how it can be managed to avoid detrimental outcomes. The project emphasizes self-awareness and introspection to ensure that the ego is not fueled by negative or superficial factors.

Key Themes Explored by the NAFSI Project

  1. Worldly Consumption: The project looks at how our desires for material things feed the ego, such as:

    • Food: Overindulgence in food can be seen as a form of feeding the ego beyond what is necessary for survival and health.

    • Clothing: The desire for excessive clothing can reflect an inflated sense of self-importance or need for validation.

    • Jewellery and Wealth: An obsession with wealth and material symbols like jewellery and gold indicates a need for external validation of one’s worth.

  2. Emotional and Psychological Aspects:

    • Jealousy and Envy: These emotions are tied to ego, stemming from a sense of lack or inferiority when comparing oneself to others.

    • Aesthetics: There's a distinction made between wanting to look perfect for superficial reasons versus maintaining health and fitness for a higher purpose. This points to the importance of intention behind actions.

  3. Spiritual and Moral Considerations:

    • Sorcery: Engaging in sorcery is seen as a serious transgression in Islam, potentially a major shirk (associating others with God). This reflects a corrupted ego seeking power and control beyond human means.

    • Dressed but Undressed: Outward appearances can be misleading if inner virtues are not aligned with them.

    • Ghiba (Backbiting): Speaking ill of others behind their backs is considered a grave sin in many spiritual and ethical teachings. It reflects a need to elevate oneself by diminishing others.

Conclusion

The NAFSI project calls for a deeper examination of how these elements influence our behaviour and character. By identifying and understanding these factors, individuals can work towards keeping their ego in check, focusing on internal growth and ethical living rather than being driven by superficial and materialistic pursuits. This approach aligns with spiritual and moral principles that advocate for humility, self-awareness, and mindful living.

THE WAVES OF OUR MINDS

The waves of our mind is our attempt to visually showcase the brain waves and how it plays an effect to our day to day being.

There are 5 main frequency bands:

  • DELTA (less than 4 Hz)

  • THETA (4-8 Hz)

  • ALPHA (8-12 Hz)

  • BETA (13-30Hz)

  • Gamma (greater than 30Hz)

 

DELTA

The lowest frequencies are delta. These are less than 4 Hz and occur in deep sleep and in some abnormal processes. It is the dominant rhythm in infants up to one year of age and it is present in stages 3 and 4 of sleep. It tends to be the highest in amplitude and the slowest waves. We increase Delta waves in order to decrease our awareness of the physical world. We also access information in our unconscious mind through Delta. Peak performers decrease Delta waves when high focus and peak performance are required. However, most individuals diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, naturally increase rather than decrease Delta activity when trying to focus. The inappropriate Delta response often severely restricts the ability to focus and maintain attention. It is as if the brain is locked into a perpetual drowsy state. Another way to look at Delta is to imagine you are driving in a car and you shift into 1st gear….you’re not going to get anywhere very fast. So Delta would represent 1st gear.

 

Distribution: generally broad or diffuse; may be bilateral,
Subjective feeling states: deep, dreamless sleep, non-REM sleep, trance, unconscious
Associated tasks & behaviors: lethargic, not moving, not attentive
Physiological correlates: not moving, low-level of arousal
Effects of training: can induce drowsiness, deeply relaxed states

 

 

THETA

The next brainwave is theta. Theta activity has a frequency of 3.5 to 7.5 Hz and is classed as “slow” activity. It is seen in connection with creativity, intuition, daydreaming, and fantasizing and is a repository for memories, emotions, sensations. Theta waves are strong during internal focus, meditation, prayer, and spiritual awareness. It reflects the state between wakefulness and sleep and relates to the subconscious mind. It is abnormal in awake adults but is perfectly normal in children up to 13 years old. It is also normal during sleep. Theta is believed to reflect activity from the limbic system and hippocampal regions. Theta is observed in anxiety, behavioural activation and behavioural inhibition. When the theta rhythm appears to function normally it mediates and/or promotes adaptive, complex behaviours such as learning and memory. Under unusual emotional circumstances, such as stress or disease states, there may be an imbalance of three major transmitter systems, which results in aberrant behaviour. Back to our car example, Theta would be considered 2nd gear. Not as slow as 1st gear (Delta) but still not very fast.

 

Distribution: usually regional, may involve many lobes, can be lateralized or diffuse
Subjective feeling states: intuitive, creative, recall, fantasy, imagery, creative, dreamlike, switching thoughts, drowsy; “oneness”, “knowing”
Associated tasks & behaviours: creative, intuitive; but may also be distracted, unfocused
Physiological correlates: healing, integration of mind/body
Effects of Training: if enhanced, can induce a more relaxed, quiet mind, emotionally stable state. If suppressed, it can improve concentration, ability to focus attention.

ALPHA

Alpha waves are those between 8 and 12 (Hz). Alpha waves will peak around 10Hz. Good healthy alpha production promotes mental resourcefulness, aids in the ability to mentally coordinate, enhances overall sense of relaxation and fatigue. In this state you can move quickly and efficiently to accomplish whatever task is at hand. When Alpha predominates most people feel at ease and calm. Alpha appears to bridge the conscious to the subconscious. It is the major rhythm seen in normal relaxed adults – it is present during most of life especially beyond the thirteenth year when it dominates the resting tracing. Alpha rhythms are reported to be derived from the white matter of the brain. The white matter can be considered the part of the brain that connects all parts with each other. Alpha is a common state for the brain and occurs whenever a person is alert (it is a marker for alertness and sleep), but not actively processing information. They are strongest over the occipital (back of the head) cortex and over frontal cortex. Alpha has been linked to extroversion (introverts show less), creativity (creative subjects show alpha when listening and coming to a solution for creative problems), and mental work. When your alpha is within normal ranges, we tend to also experience good moods, see the world truthfully, and have a sense of calmness. Alpha is one of the brain’s most important frequency to learn and use information taught in the classroom and on the job. You can increase alpha by closing your eyes or deep breathing or decrease alpha by thinking or calculating. Alpha-Theta training can create an increase in sensation, abstract thinking and self-control. In our car scenario, Alpha would represent neutral or idle. Alpha allows us to shift easily from one task to another.

 

Distribution: regional, usually involves entire lobe; strong occipital w/eyes closed
Subjective feeling states: relaxed, not agitated, but not drowsy; tranquil, conscious
Associated tasks & behaviours: meditation, no action
Physiological correlates: relaxed, healing
Effects of Training: can produce relaxation
Sub band low alpha: 8-10: inner-awareness of self, mind/body integration, balance
Sub band high alpha: 10-12: centering, healing, mind/body connection

 

BETA

Beta activity is ‘fast’ activity. It has a frequency of 14 and greater Hz. It reflects desynchronized active brain tissue. It is usually seen on both sides in symmetrical distribution and is most evident frontally. It may be absent or reduced in areas of cortical damage. It is generally regarded as a normal rhythm and is the dominant rhythm in those who are alert or anxious or who have their eyes open. It is the state that most of brain is in when we have our eyes open and are listening and thinking during analytical problem solving, judgment, decision making, processing information about the world around us.

Beta would represent overdrive or hyperdrive in our car scenario. The beta band has a relatively large range, and has been divided into low, midrange and high.

LOW BETA (12-15HZ)

Distribution: localized by side and by lobe (frontal, occipital, etc)
Subjective feeling states: relaxed yet focused, integrated
Associated tasks & behaviours: low SMR can reflect “ADD”, lack of focused attention
Physiological correlates: is inhibited by motion; restraining body may increase SMR
Effects of Training: increasing SMR can produce relaxed focus, improved attentive abilities

MID BETA (15-18hz)

Distribution: localized, over various areas. May be focused on one electrode.
Subjective feeling states: thinking, aware of self & surroundings
Associated tasks & behaviours: mental activity
Physiological correlates: alert, active, but not agitated
Effects of Training: can increase mental ability, focus, alertness

 

HIGH BETA (above 18hz)

Distribution: localized, may be very focused.
Subjective feeling states: alertness, agitation
Associated tasks & behaviours: mental activity, e.g. math, planning
Physiological correlates: general activation of mind & body functions.
Effects of Training: can induce alertness, but may also produce agitation

GAMMA
Gamma is measured between 30 and 44 (Hz) and is the only frequency group found in every part of the brain. When the brain needs to simultaneously process information from different areas, its hypothesized that the 40Hz activity consolidates the required areas for simultaneous processing. A good memory is associated with well-regulated and efficient 40Hz activity, whereas a 40Hz deficiency creates learning disabilities.

Distribution: localised, may be very focused.
Subjective feeling states: alertness, agitation
Associated tasks & behaviours: mental activity, e.g. math, planning
Physiological correlates: general activation of mind & body functions.
Effects of Training: can induce alertness, but may also produce agitation