THE DIMENSION OF THE LATAIF – The subtlest and most delicate aspect of Essence
It is commonly believed that the human body contains only one center of awareness — the mind or the brain. The ancient Sufis, through their spiritual experience, recognized instead other centers of perception, inner senses that they referred to as Lataif (singular: Latifa).
In Sufism, the Lataif are subtle organs of perception from which our personal experience of Essence arises, along with the capacity to perceive and differentiate it into distinct Essential Qualities. They are true inner eyes: subtle perceptions contained within the soul that allow for the experience of the divine.
In his teachings, Faisal Muqaddam starts from the Sufi root but radically transforms its meaning. In the Diamond Logos Teachings (DLT), the Lataif are not centers of perception; rather, they are the very manifestation of Essence in its most subtle and delicate aspect. In Arabic, lataif means subtle, sublime, refined, and for this reason, within the teachings we define the Lataif as the finest and most delicate expression of specific Essential Qualities. Each Latif is a concrete manifestation of an essential quality in its most vaporous and tenuous form.
The Essential Dimension explored in the teachings dedicated to the Lataif includes nine Lataif. Five are considered fundamental, as they offer a solid foundation for embarking on the journey into Essence:
- White Latifa — Essence of Will
- Red Latifa — Essence of Strength and Courage
- Black Latifa — Essence of Peace
- Green Latifa — Essence of Compassion and Loving Kindness
- Yellow Latifa — Essence of Joy
There are also four Lataif that are sometimes referred to as minor, not because they are less important — they correspond to very profound essential qualities — but because they require a more subtle sensitivity to be perceived and understood, and are therefore transmitted as advanced teachings:
- Light Blue Latifa — Awakening, the Birth of Consciousness
- Grey Latifa — The Sacredness of the Body, Essential Clay
- Deep Blue Latifa — Deep Relaxation, Samadhi
Saffron Latifa — Altruism, Generosity, Inner Richness
THE FIRST SERIES OF LATAIF
The first five fundamental Lataif represent the beginning of the journey into the exploration of the Essential Dimension.
In the DLT, each quality is presented and transmitted in all of its characteristic aspects. Each Latifa manifests sensorially through a color, a texture, and a fragrance, evoking specific bodily sensations and emotional states.
Through transmission and exploration, we learn to recognize these qualities and to remove the psychological themes that distort or block their natural flow.
Essential qualities are present within us from birth, but they have often not been adequately mirrored, supported, or encouraged. In order to adapt to our family environment and conform to what was required to receive love and acceptance, we have distorted or blocked their natural expression.
The teachings of the DLT offer tools to understand how and why we have distorted our Essence, restoring space for it within our consciousness and sensitivity. This allows us to once again live essential qualities in everyday life and to continue evolving both humanly and spiritually.
White Latifa — Essence of Will
The White Latifa relates to a sense of inner solidity and support. It is a relaxed trust that emerges when we are in contact with our Being and allows us to flow through existence with clarity and presence. It is a grounded quality, rich in inner resources and capable of commitment and continuity.
Red Latifa — Essence of Strength
The Red Latifa concerns the capacity to be an authentic individual. It provides the strength needed to separate from structures, patterns, and bonds that no longer serve our evolution and uniqueness. It manifests as a passionate, enthusiastic vitality that brings the courage to affirm oneself, expand into the world, and face its challenges.
Green Latifa — Essence of Compassion
The Green Latifa opens to the dimension of kindness and deep understanding of our human nature. It allows us to welcome our wounds with loving care, without judgment or condemnation. Its emergence has the effect of a balm that soothes, nourishes, and supports deep healing.
Black Latifa — Essence of Peace
The Black Latifa is the source of our love and longing for Truth. It is a deep and open dimension that brings us into contact with Being and with the mastery of authentic expression — our true power. It opens us to intuition and to the subtle and mysterious dimensions of Being.
Yellow Latifa — Essence of Joy
The Yellow Latifa relates to our capacity to experience joy and curiosity. It is the dimension in which we let go of rigid and negative ego images and reclaim our natural radiance, innocence, and lightness. It allows us to rediscover the delight of what our soul desires in a spontaneous and simple way.
During the first cycle of teachings dedicated to the Dimension of the Lataif, in addition to exploring the Lataif themselves, we also learn to:
- become familiar with the DLT vision and psychology of the Ego
- cultivate sensitivity in the perception of Essence
- practice awareness and presence through meditations, exercises, and self-inquiry
- recognize and soften the inner judge, fostering an exploration that is free, curious, and non-judgmental
As essential sensitivity matures, the perceptual, emotional, and mental systems become more receptive, and awareness becomes more stable. This opens access to advanced teachings dedicated to deeper and more powerful dimensions of Being.
THE SECOND SERIES OF LATAIF
Light Blue Latifa — Awakening, the Birth of Consciousness
The Light Blue Latifa represents the birth of consciousness. It brings a gentle awakening and a greater awareness of oneself, inner states, and the environment. The heaviness of the unconscious begins to lift, making space for relief, openness, lightness, and clarity.
Grey Latifa — The Sacredness of the Body, Essential Clay
The Grey Latifa is the quality of the earth and of living, original matter. It supports deep physical healing through softness, simplicity, and grounding, like becoming nourishing clay. It dissolves bodily tensions, fears, and rigidity.
Deep Blue Latifa — Deep Relaxation, Samadhi
The Deep Blue Latifa is the quality of total rest and letting go. It leads to a state of samadhi and of trusting surrender to one’s system, where control dissolves and body, mind, and emotions harmonize spontaneously.
Saffron Latifa — Altruism, Generosity, Inner Richness
The Saffron Latifa is the most intimate and profound quality of Being. A paradise of sweetness, goodness, and fullness, in which the sense of self dissolves, giving way to the natural flow of giving. It is an experience of inner richness, deep joy, and a wholehearted yes to life.