The Three Companions
Islamic traditional texts, teach that the soul has three Companions. They accompany us throughout our life journey. They are always there… We need them to navigate life… they assist us with motivation and perception but they have to remain just that: assistants… never let them hold the rein.
Anger and Desire are our motivation.
Anger and Desire are our motivation.
- We need our Anger to warn us about danger, about things we need to pull away from or fight and oppose - If we let our anger lead the way, it will turn us into a vengeful, spiteful and violent beast… and if we ignore it, we’ll be living in constant fear, apprehension, and angst.
- We need our Desire to motivate us to move forward, to live with passion and creativity, enjoy life and spread joy around us. Yet, lending too much ear to our Desire companion, can ignite hedonism, addictions, and endless cravings. Too little and we’ll suffer from apathy, anhedonia and depression.
- Fantasy is our storyteller. It is the most powerful of the three companions. It shapes how we perceive life. It weaves a story out of every encounter, every incident, every relationship… a story that helps us understand and make sense of our daily living experiences. But, if it runs wild, our Fantasy becomes deceptive, weaving lies that we end up believing… lies that please our ego but harm our soul, lies that shape our actions, our choices, and our life.