Lataif-e-Sitta

Lataif-e-sitta (Arabic: اللطائف الستة) are special organs of perception in Sufi spiritual psychology, subtle human capacities for experience or action. Depending on context, the lataif are also understood to be the qualities (or forms) of consciousness[1] corresponding to those experiences or actions.

The underlying Arabic word latifa (singular) means "subtlety" and the phrase Lataif-e-sitta means "six subtleties" (although the number of lataif can differ depending on the specific Sufi tradition).

When realized (or activated or awakened or illuminated (tajalli)),[2] the lataif are understood to be part of Man's spiritual "Organ of Evolution",[3] known as Qalb (Heart) (See Disambiguation: Qalb (Heart) or latifa).

This integration of the lataif into Qalb is considered by some Sufi orders to be a central part of the comprehensive spiritual development that produces the Sufi ideal of a Complete Man (Al-Insān al-Kāmil).

  1. ^ Almaas, A. H. "Essence". York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser, 1986, p. 143.
  2. ^ Shah, Idries The Sufis. Garden City, New York: Anchor Books, 1971, p. 145, 334, 340.
  3. ^ Shah, Idries The Sufis. Garden City, New York: Anchor Books, 1971, p. 342-343.