Psychological Analysis of Masnavi Manavi Based on the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Approach

Masnavi is full of psychological concepts that indicate Rumi’s careful and continuous thoughts, as well as his consideration of the different dimensions of the human spirit. The present research studied Masnavi from the perspective of the first principle of the psychological approach of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) through an analytical-comparative method. Rumi and the ACT theoreticians both believe that facing life suffering is inevitable for mankind and it must be thus accepted. In this way, humans can move towards spiritual and psychological developments. Both views use allegory to convince the audience. Rumi uses such concepts as destiny and naturalness of suffering in life to prepare the audience for acceptance. In this research, the two concepts of repentance in Islamic thought and acceptance in the ACT approach were comparatively studied. The difference in these two views stems in their ultimate goals. The main goal of ACT is to provide a satisfying material life and individual growth, but Rumi’s mystical view, which has been focused on pleasing God and reaching an eternal life in the other world, is more general. However, both views move in the same direction and pay attention to the human spirit, growth, and excellence. Considering the religious and mystical backgrounds of Iranian people, the ACT psychotherapists in Iran can well benefit from Masnavi as a Persian literary heritage.