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Rumi’s cognitive therapy approach to health and disease

  • Reza Hakimi ,
  • Ehsan Hakimi ,


Abstract

Background  In the history of Persian literature, Rumi is a unique figure in terms of the extent of information and ideas, excitement, outpouring, diversity of themes, full awareness of the human psyche, and the knowledge of pain, understanding the causes of diseases and their treatment.

Methods: This is a qualitative study using analytical deduction method. Resources related to the subject matter, the meaning, and implication of cognitive-behavioral concepts, symbols, emblems, and parables in Masnavi and other works of Rumi were studied.

Results: The results indicate Rumi believes that psychological disorders such as depression do not belong to individuals with a history of childhood psychological trauma but it is common in all humans, and it can result from repeated vain thoughts and personal cognitive distortions. From the perspective of Rumi, a seeker prevents the penetration of negative automatic thoughts into psyche (inherent self) by mastering the subjective identity (self). On the contrary, disability and succumbing to the influx of mental automatic and dysfunctional thoughts are the main causes of mental illness; their repetition and continuity end in the dissociation from his inherent self.

 Conclusion: For Rumi, staying away from primordial nature and separation from essence brings the drought and coldness of December that makes human life and existence cold, dry, and barren. Continuation of this condition causes the emergence of mental illness such as depression.

Keywords: Health cognitive therapy cognitive distortions Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi

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How to Cite

Hakimi, R., & Hakimi, E. (2018). Rumi’s cognitive therapy approach to health and disease. Bali Medical Journal, 7(1), 39–46. https://doi.org/10.15562/bmj.v7i1.426
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