In Section 135 of Book Four of the Masnavi, Rumi outlines a profound theory of spiritual and ontological evolution. He describes the soul's journey as originating in the inorganic realm (جماد), progressing to the vegetative state (نبات), then to the animal kingdom (حیوان), and finally reaching the human state (انسان). This progression symbolizes the continuous refinement and ascent of the soul toward the divine. According to Rumi, the soul forgets the specific details of each previous state as it ascends, yet it is driven by an innate, unconscious yearning (میل) for higher perfection, ultimately striving to transcend human limitations and reunite with the Universal Intellect (عقل کل).