A Comparative Study of the Concept of "Self-Knowledge" in the Thoughts of Rumi and Kazantzakis

According to mystical teachings, self-knowledge plays an important role. So, this issue is comparatively investigated from the viewpoints of two wise scholars in two separate lands. The purpose of this article is to study the concept of “self-knowledge” and the way it is dealt with in ideology and thought systems of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (Mowlavi) and Kazantzakis believed that “self-knowledge” prevents one from being submitted to his desires and also societies from adhering to profit and loss, prejudices and narrow-minded materialist and temporary views; so, it leads humans to prosperity The issue that arises in this regard; That is, what are the similarities and differences between self-improvement and the way of training it for Rumi and Kazantzakis? The method of this research was qualitative; And analysis and description of data related to these two literature has been used. The findings show that Rumi and Kazantzakis, considering the social context in which they were educated, consider the strengths and weaknesses of the social and cultural system of their time in the type of view of "self" education. so, they put "self" education in the priority of their education system. According to Rumi and Kazantzakis, the common denominator of knowing and educating the "self" is the direct confrontation of the person with the divine nature, the training of the intellect and the awareness of natural phenomena. And it emphasizes more on intuitive knowledge and with the training of the seeker-mystic, it reaches the annihilation of God, the result of which is individual self-knowledge.