Rumi was a 13th Century Persian poet and the son of a renowned Sufi scholar. Sufism is a branch of Islam primarily concerned with developing spirituality, or more precisely the inner character. Radical openness, a crucial skill in learning to change, can trace its' roots to 9th century Malamati Sufism. The Malamatis believe that one cannot become self aware without companionship, and that sustained self-observation and healthy self-criticism should also be practiced. The Malamatis look to find fault within themselves and question their self-centeredness. The help of other people is needed to point out the blind spots created by our innate perceptions. The counseling process of Radically Open-Dialectical Behavior Therapy is rooted in Sufism. -
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