The Way of the Sufi

Description

In this wide-ranging anthology of Sufi writings, Idries Shah, who was one of Sufism’s leading exponents, offers a broad selection of poetry, contemplations, letters, lectures, and teaching stories that together form an illuminating introduction to this unique body of thought. 

Sufism, the mystical aspect of Islam, has had a dynamic and lasting effect on the literature of that religion. Its teachings, often elusive and subtle, aim at the perfecting and completing of the human mind. In contrast to certain other beliefs and philosophies, Sufism is continually evolving and progressing and is consequently always relevant to the contemporary world.

“His work is as exciting as a good novel”—The Times Literary SupplementThe Way of the Sufi – Idries Shah Introduction
Part One: The Study of Sufism in the West
Notes and Bibliography
Part Two: Classical Authors
1. El-Ghazali
2. Omar Khayyam
3. Attar of Nishapur
4. Ibn El-Arabi
5. Saadi of Shiraz
6. Hakim Jami
7. Hakim Sanai
8. Jalaludin Rumi
Part Three: Four Major Orders
Background
1. The Chishti Order
2. The Qadiri Order
3. The Suhrawardi Order
4. The Naqshbandi Order
Part Four: Among the Masters
Part Five: Teaching-Stories
Part Six: Themes for Solitary Contemplation
1. Solitary Contemplation Themes
2. A Sufi Notebook
Part Seven: Group Recitals
Part Eight: Letters and Lectures
Part Nine: Questions and Answers on Sufism
1. Sufism and Islam (Mohammed Ali El-Misri)
2. Deep Understanding (Rais Tchaqmaqzade)Idries Shah was an author and teacher in the Sufi tradition who wrote dozens of books on topics ranging from psychology to spiritualilty to travelogues to other anthropological studies. In his writings, Shah presented Sufism as a universal form of wisdom that predated Islam. Shah is known for The Sufis, The Commanding Self, The Subleties of the Inimitable Mulla Nasrudin, The Exploits of the Incomparable Mulla Nasrudin, Thinkers of the East, and Learning How to Learn. US

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