The goal of all mysticism is to cleanse the heart and to educate, or transform, the self. The lowest level of the self is dominated by pride, egotism, and totally self-centered greed and lust. This level is the part within each person that leads away from Truth. The highest level is the pure self, and at this level there is no duality, no separation from God.
— James Fadiman, Robert Frager, Essential Sufism by James Fadiman, editor, Robert Frager, editor