114 AN INTRODUCTION TO SUFI DOCTRINE

connected with the active pole which corresponds to
Sulphur, while the contracting quality and the “moist,”’
dissolving quality are connected with the passive pole,
which is the Mercury of alchemy. Thus it is easy to
see how the different ““natural” qualities of the soul are
combined in different states. Sterile hardening of the
soul results from an alliance between the fixing quality
(dryness) of the mind and the contracting quality in the
psyche. Dissipation, on the other hand, comes from a
link between the expansive force of desire and the dis-
solving power of the passive psyche. Moreover these
two states of disequilibrium may be piled one upon the
other, as is often the case. Equilibrium of the soul
consists in a steady alternation of expansion and con-
traction, comparable to breathing, and in a marriage
of the “fixative’’ activity of the spirit with “liquid™ re-
ceptivity of the soul.

In order that it may be possible for this synthesis
to take place the powers of the soul must not let them-
selves be determined in any way by impulsions coming
from outside ; they must instead respond to the spiritual
activity centred on the heart.!

The art of concentration has been indicated here in
alchemical terms because these bring out the correspon-
dence between the powers of the soul and the natural
forces—the physical forces one might say—of the human
organism. The process of harnessing these powers
brings this aspect of Tasawwuf near to the methods of

1. This corresponds to what is in alchemy called the ““hermetic sealing’?
of the vessel. 5