Stations of consciousness - ibn-Abi'l-Khayr (Sufism)

In Sufism, spiritual development is expressed by progressive steps or stations (Maqamat). These stations are enumerated by different authors as being anywhere from 7 to 101. One description (Abu Sa'id ibn Abi'l-Khayr) comprises a 40 stage development. In this system, each stage belongs to a prophet among prophets, starting with Adam and finishing with Muhammad. Many of the stages are the same as stations described in other systems, others correspond to ahwal, or passing states granted by God, as described by other Sufis. The system is notable for its continuing beyond the state of [baqa']

which, as union with God, is usually considered the highest station. These higher stations may be considered journeying with God as opposed to journeying towards God. The whole journey goes from the state of being spiritually asleep to that of the true Sufi, the experience of the stations in between each being more intense than any worldly experience but all being open to anyone who will devote himself to the spiritual life; and approaches the experience not as an end in itself but as a step leading to the Absolute who is beyond all stations and states and yet is at the very core of his being, the origin of that which unites bodily, psychic and spiritual states with their common principle.