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How to Identify the Stages of the Soul’s Development

 

A glowing, symbolic illustration of the soul’s journey across six stages. From left to right: Left: tense, calculating, shadowed, ego-driven. Middle: performing rituals, weeping, debating, thoughtful gestures. Right: serene, upright, softly glowing, calm presence, heart-aligned. Background gradient: dark, muted tones on left, luminous indigo and gold on right. Floating symbols of knowledge, emotion, reflection, and sacred geometry rising and merging into a harmonious glow near the final figure. Style: mystical, reflective, ethereal, high detail, soft glowing light, modern spiritual art.

Tracing the soul’s journey from ego-driven action to heart-aligned spiritual integration

Introduction:

The soul unfolds in stages, from the most basic physiological drives to full alignment with the divine will. Each stage leaves visible traces in what a person does, says, focuses on, and posts. By observing these, we can discern the soul’s state, even when the person themselves is unaware.

“Every look is a lesson, and every silence is a reminder.” – Imam Ali (AS)

This framework also offers a mirror for self-reflection: where are we on the ladder, what blocks us, and how can we progress?

The Six Stages of the Soul

  1. Physiological / Fir’ounic
    This stage is limb-driven, ego-centered, focused on immediate gain and strategic advantage. Individuals rely on Sensing + Thinking/Feeling functions, with no intuition (N). Their speech centers on winning, control, and status; arguments may be weaponized or impulsive. Behaviorally, they use knowledge as a tool, hide behind sarcasm or emojis, and perform without reflection. Spiritually, the ego dominates — knowledge or ability serves self rather than conscience.

  2. Ritualist
    In this stage, the individual prioritizes form over essence, performing piety mechanically. Their dominant functions are Sensing + Thinking, with no intuition. Speech often emphasizes rules, tradition, and outward appearances of piety. They perform rituals or recitations without internalizing meaning. While outer form exists, the inner heart is blocked, and actions are not aligned with conscience.

  3. Emotional Seeker
    Emotional Seekers experience intense but superficial emotions. The heart is active but unguided. They rely on Sensing + Feeling, with no intuition. Speech focuses on personal feelings, mood, dramatics, and performative spirituality. They may be dua-heavy, recite Qur’an in English without tafsir, weep openly, use emojis, and post about crises, secular psychology, politics, or common hadiths. Emotion is present but unguided, and intensity masks depth.

  4. Moral Struggler
    At this stage, the conscience begins to awaken. Individuals are torn between ego and ethics. They employ Sensing + Thinking/Feeling with emerging Intuition. Speech involves rationalizing dilemmas, debating internally and externally. Behaviorally, they begin questioning themselves and others and may post reflections with emerging depth. This stage marks the beginning of integration between intellect and heart.

  5. Man of the Heart
    Here, the individual is sincere, aligned, and integrated. Functions include fully integrated Intuition plus Sensing/Thinking/Feeling. Speech emphasizes truth, compassion, and ethical clarity, expressed calmly and transparently. Their posts demonstrate guidance and insight, with emotional authenticity that is not performative. Heart and mind are aligned, integrity guides action, and intuition informs understanding.

  6. Man of the Spirit
    At this stage, the ego dissolves and the individual is fully aligned with the divine will. Intuition is fully integrated. Speech is minimal; they are witnesses through presence rather than words. Posts, if any, are rare, and their presence is luminous, with actions speaking louder than words. The soul is fully aligned, and insight flows naturally.

MBTI and Expression

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) helps explain how heart and mind interact:

  • Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N): How information is gathered; N indicates reflection, insight, and moral/spiritual depth.

  • Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F): How decisions are made; F reflects emotional engagement, T reflects rational structure.

  • Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P): Style of life organization; secondary in this framework.

  • Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I): Modifies expression, not depth.

Extraverts (E) broadcast their stage outwardly — through speech, posts, and social engagement.
Introverts (I) engage selectively, asking meaningful questions or reflecting quietly; they rarely respond just to be seen.

Exceptions:

  1. When the soul is fully blocked (Physiological / Fir’ounic), even introverts may behave strategically, manipulatively, or passive-aggressively, mimicking extraverted performativity without inner depth.

  2. When an introvert truly has insight, knowledge, or something meaningful to share, they may appear outwardly expressive, and observers may not immediately know whether they are introverted or extraverted — unless they witness the depth behind the expression.

Takeaway: E/I affects expression, while S/N/T/F reveals soul stage and depth. True growth is measured by heart and mind alignment, not visibility or activity alone.

Self-Reflection: Where Are You?

Ask yourself:

  1. Where am I on this ladder? Which stage reflects my daily speech, behavior, and focus? Am I limb-driven, ritualistic, emotional, morally conflicted, heart-aligned, or spiritually integrated?

  2. What is blocking my growth? Ego, habit, superficial emotion, or unintegrated knowledge? Are my feelings guided or shallow? Does my intellect serve truth or just self-interest?

  3. What steps can I take to progress? Deepen reflection and study, align speech and actions with heart and conscience, cultivate insight and integrate intuition with feeling and reason, and move from reactive expression to deliberate, spiritually aware action.

Practical Note on Attendance / Engagement

Showing up consistently can nourish the heart, especially if it’s all a person knows or can manage in a superficially busy day. Yet, if this is their only form of engagement, it may maintain routine without fostering deeper growth. True progress requires reflection, intentional engagement, and integration of heart and mind beyond mere presence.

Conclusion / Hook for the Series

In the coming posts, we will explore each stage in depth, showing:

  • How to recognize it

  • What they do and say

  • What they focus on

  • How modern digital behavior reflects their inner state

  • MBTI function patterns

  • Spiritual insight and reflection

Progress is a journey of heart and mind — observing, reflecting, and acting in alignment with truth and conscience. Every step toward awareness is a step toward integration.

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