A qualitative research on holy land experience in the nafs pyschotherapy as a spiritual counseling technique

This qualitative study aims to comprehensively examine the theoretical and practical dimensions of the sacred land experience in nafs psychotherapy as a spiritual counseling and guidance technique. Using a data collected through structured interviews with nafs psychotherapists (n=6) using open-ended questions (n=40) were meticulously analyzed using the categorical analysis method. The study's theoretical framework provides information on spiritual counseling and guidance as well as theoretical knowledge on nafs psychology, nafs psychotherapy, and the sacred land experience. The qualitative application part of the research includes methodological information and analyses and interpretations of the qualitative findings obtained. The study concludes that: (i) nafs psychology is the most suitable structure for humans and the code of the universe, encompassing the whole inclusively and comprehensively without separating the client and therapist from the consciousness of servitude; (ii) in nafs psychotherapy, the structure of the nafs is determined through spirituality, focusing on the individual's evolution and the relief of existence, thereby effectively supporting the client's healing process as a dynamic psychotherapy school; (iii) nafs psychotherapy is a flexible and adaptable approach in the field of spiritual counseling and guidance, with universal and cross-cultural applicability, thereby helping to meet individuals' spiritual and psychological needs more effectively by considering both theoretical foundations and practical skills; (iv) the therapeutic effects of the sacred land experience in nafs psychotherapy include intention and determination, establishing connection and spiritual bond, individual withdrawal, and internal transformation, thus providing significant benefits on an individual level; (v) the integration of the sacred land experience into the field of spiritual counseling and guidance in nafs psychotherapy requires adequate learning of psychology and theology to set the standards of practices and developing pre-and post-sacred land experience measurement and evaluation tools. This research, which shows that the sacred land experience holds an important place in nafs psychotherapy and spiritual counseling and guidance, suggests that this school and technique can be effectively used in Turkish spiritual counseling and guidance research and applications.