Psychotherapy through Reframing in the Light of the Masnavi-ye Maʿnavi
mohammadreza movahedi
1
(
)
azizollah molavi vardanjani
2
(
Assistant Professor, Department of Jurisprudence and Law, Shahrekord University. Shahrekord. Iran
)
Keywords: Jalal al-Din Rumi, Masnavi, Applied Ethics, Psychotherapy, Reframing,
Abstract :
This study adopts an analytical-psychological approach to selected sections of Rumi’s ethical and mystical works, viewing him as a psychotherapist who, rather than merely offering moral advice, employs a cognitive-therapeutic method based on rethinking and reframing core concepts. In the Masnavi-ye Ma‘navi, Rumi replaces dysfunctional and negative beliefs with constructive, joyful, and meaningful ones, aiming to correct human cognition, emotion, and behavior in the face of life’s challenges. Drawing on moral-mystical teachings and applied theology, his approach encompasses ideas such as naturalizing sorrow, treating love as an elixir, framing remembrance and tears as healing tools, and valuing patience and inner resilience. Rumi emphasizes that many psychological disturbances stem from distorted beliefs about the self, the world, and others, and that their resolution lies in revising these cognitive foundations. Thus, Masnavi is not only a mystical masterpiece but also a therapeutic text, with potential applications in spiritual and cognitive psychotherapy
