Theoretical Study of the Relation of Mysticism to the Lifestyle Phenomenon with an Emphasis on theRumi's Mystical Thought

Lifestyle is one of the important issues that has occupied the minds of thinkers in today's world, especially in the fields of psychology and sociology. This phenomenon is of great importance in the scientific communities of the world as well as Iran. On the other hand, despite the attraction of Islamic lifestyle, it has been accused of escaping society and even opposing the life over the course of history. Explaining the concept of "mysticism" and "lifestyle" based on Rumi's mystical attitudes (d. 672 AH) and the views of contemporary psychology, this research analyzes the different approaches of mystics towards the life. The findings show that, the lifestyle from the viewpoint of late psychologists, in particular Alfred Adler (1870 AD), is not just the human exterior behaviors, rather, the lifestyle is a system of attitudes and actions, so that nothing is outside or separate from the lifestyle. This comprehensive approach to the lifestyle is more closely associated with mystical attitudes. In dealing with the lifestyle issues, Rumi also believes that the human action is affected by his spiritual attitude, and in dealing with the phenomena of life, he follows the pattern of "acceptance and development": He accepts the needs of the material life, but he believes that, since man is beyond than this life, he must look for a superior life; that is "the spiritual life." This approach to the life, can be appealing, pleasant and persuasive to contemporary humans.