The Nature of the Sufi Path

The Nature of the Sufi Path
Author: Anab Whitehouse
Publisher: Bilquees Press
Total Pages: 484
Release: 2018-11-06
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

The material in The Nature of the Sufi Path consists of 70 commentaries on a book entitled Sufism: A Short Introduction by Professor William C. Chittick. Many, if not most, of the paragraphs that comprise the 163 pages (preface plus text) of Professor Chittick’s book contain problems, errors, misleading statements, and/or incorrect understandings concerning Islam, in general, and the Sufi path, in particular. This is both surprising and disturbing since the author is someone who, apparently, enjoys a considerable reputation in North America -- and, perhaps, elsewhere in the world -- as an expert on, and scholar of, the Sufi mystical tradition. I do not claim that what I say in this book is a definitive, exhaustive, ‘incapable-of-being-improved-upon’ treatment of the Sufi path. Rather, my hope is that the present book might move a person closer to the truth concerning the nature of that path than Professor Chittick’s aforementioned introduction to Sufism does and, as such, would represent an improvement over his work.

The Sufi Path of Knowledge

The Sufi Path of Knowledge
Author: William C. Chittick
Publisher: State University of New York Press
Total Pages: 507
Release: 2010-03-31
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0791498980

Ibn al-'Arabi is still known as "the Great Sheik" among the surviving Sufi orders. Born in Muslim Spain, he has become famous in the West as the greatest mystical thinker of Islamic civilization. He was a great philosopher, theologian, and poet. William Chittick takes a major step toward exposing the breadth and depth of Ibn al-'Arabi's vision. The book offers his view of spiritual perfection and explains his theology, ontology, epistemology, hermeneutics, and soteriology. The clear language, unencumbered by methodological jargon, makes it accessible to those familiar with other spiritual traditions, while its scholarly precision will appeal to specialists. Beginning with a survey of Ibn al-'Arabi's major teachings, the book gradually introduces the most important facets of his thought, devoting attention to definitions of his basic terminology. His teachings are illustrated with many translated passages introducing readers to fascinating byways of spiritual life that would not ordinarily be encountered in an account of a thinker's ideas. Ibn al-'Arabi is allowed to describe in detail the visionary world from which his knowledge derives and to express his teachings in his own words. More than 600 passages from his major work, al-Futuhat al-Makkivva, are translated here, practically for the first time. These alone provide twice the text of the Fusus al-hikam. The exhaustive indexes make the work an invaluable reference tool for research in Sufism and Islamic thought in general.

The Way of the Sufi

The Way of the Sufi
Author: Idries Shah
Publisher: Octagon Press Ltd
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2004
Genre: Sufi literature
ISBN: 0863040837

"The Way of the Sufi presents an unparalleled cross-section of material from Sufi schools, teachings and classical writings, as a basic course of Sufi study. Its author, Idries Shah, is regarded as the most influential modern exponent of Sufi ideas. His many books on the subject seek to make some of the Eastern world's greatest teachings accessible to a Western audience. In this book, Shah begins with the outward aspects of the teaching most likely to puzzle the student coming fresh to the subject. He considers various attitudes to Sufi ideas, and evidence of their absorption into medieval Christianity, Hinduism, Jewish mysticism and modern philosophical teachings. The greater part of the book illuminates aspects of Sufi activity and practice relevant to the contemporary world." --

Three Early Sufi Texts

Three Early Sufi Texts
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2009
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781891785375

The three previously untranslated works presented here originate from the pens of two of the most eminent figures of the Khorasanian tradition, Hakim Tirmidhi and Abu 'Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami al-Naysaburi.

The Sufi Path of Annihilation

The Sufi Path of Annihilation
Author: Nevit O. Ergin
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2014-04-04
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 1620552752

An exploration of the profound Sufi practice of Itlak Yolu • Examines the three main facets of this practice: zikr or breathing exercises, fasting, and mental suffering • Shares new Sufi parables, the sayings of Sufi master Hasan Lutfi Shushud, and Rumi’s philosophy on annihilation of the Self • Reveals how once the Self is annihilated higher levels of perception are reached In this exploration of the profound spiritual practice of Itlak Yolu, the Sufi path of annihilation, Nevit Ergin examines the three main facets of this path: zikr or breathing exercises, fasting, and mental suffering. Sharing experiences and discussions with Hasan Lutfi Shushud, renowned Sufi saint and final guide of Gurdjieff’s disciple J. G. Bennett, the author illustrates how suffering--“the searing fire of contrition”--is the most effective instrument of spiritual progress, for it is suffering that burns the Self. He explains how faithful practice of zikr and fasting will bring on this kind of suffering when the student is ready and will make the suffering tolerable. He shows how once the Self is annihilated higher levels of perception take hold and one finds oneself on the path to sainthood and immortality. Interwoven throughout with sayings by Shushud, Sufi parables, and poems by Rumi, Ergin shares the unique Itlak perspective on the major questions of every seeker: the true nature of love and religion, life and death, and other major spiritual questions. The book also includes an essay on annihilation and absence in Rumi’s philosophy and biographical portraits of Hasan Lufti Shushud by other aspirants who met with him.

Living Presence (Revised)

Living Presence (Revised)
Author: Kabir Edmund Helminski
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 258
Release: 2017-05-30
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 1101993596

A revised 25th anniversary edition of the classic work on Sufism that Jack Kornfield called, "A heartfelt modern illumination of the Sufi path, filled with the fragrance of the ancients." In Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, presence is the quality that describes a heart-filled state of mindfulness, an experience of being conscious in the present moment. It is only in this present moment, Sufi teachings reveal, that we can connect with the Divine, and the Divine can live through us. Kabir Helminski is one of the world's most recognized teachers of Sufism. Named one of the "500 Most Influential Muslims" in the world by Georgetown University and the Royal Strategic Studies Center, Helminski and his teachings are touchstones for the growth in interest in Sufism, and his books have been translated around the world. In Living Presence, Helminski lays out the basic principles of Sufism, and how these ideas can lead to the experience of presence. In this inspiring work, readers will learn how to cultivate presence in their lives through: * Finding a balance between the outer stimuli of the world and our inner reactions to them * Harnessing faithfulness and gracefulness * Learning about the parallels between ancient spiritual wisdom and modern psychological knowledge * Meditation and contemplation to discover more meaning in daily life With unique clarity, this book describes how presence can be developed to vastly improve our lives. Drawing on the work of the beloved Sufi poet, Rumi, as well as traditional material and personal experience, this book integrates the ancient wisdom of Sufism with the needs of contemporary life. Completely revised and updated for its 25th anniversary, this edition of Living Presence offers a wisdom that is both universal and practical.

The Sufi Book of Life

The Sufi Book of Life
Author: Neil Douglas-Klotz
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 337
Release: 2005-02-22
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1440684243

Part meditation book, part oracle, and part collection of Sufi lore, poetry, and stories, The Sufi Book of Life offers a fresh interpretation of the fundamental spiritual practice found in all ancient and modern Sufi schools—the meditations on the 99 Qualities of Unity. Unlike most books on Sufism, which are primarily collections of translated Sufi texts, this accessible guide is a handbook that explains how to apply Sufi principles to modern life. With inspirational commentary that connects each quality with contemporary concerns such as love, work, and success, as well as timeless wisdom from Sufi masters, both ancient and modern, such as Rumi, Hafiz, Shabistari, Rabia, Inayat Khan, Indries Shah, Irina Tweedie, Bawa Muhaiyadden, and more, The Sufi Book of Life is a dervish guide to life and love for the twenty-first century. On the web: http://sufibookoflife.com

An Introduction to the Sufi Path

An Introduction to the Sufi Path
Author: Anab Whitehouse
Publisher: Bilquees Press
Total Pages: 422
Release: 2018-11-06
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

By the Grace of God, my spiritual guide knew far, far more than what I have heard him say on any given occasion. Unfortunately, I have forgotten far, far more than what I remember of what has been related to me by him. Moreover, I have written far less than what I remember of what he taught me. The result of this funneling process is the present book – An Introduction to the Sufi Path. Everything that is good and correct in this book comes, by the Grace of God, through my shaykh or spiritual teacher who was willing to accept me as a reclamation project. Everything that is incorrect in An Introduction to the Sufi Path comes from my own shortcomings and ignorance. The material contained within An Introduction to the Sufi Path is intended to stimulate reflection concerning a variety of themes that are important to spiritual life in the midst of everyday life. God willing, the content given expression through the different chapters constitutes -- both individually as well as collectively -- a Sufi perspective. However, one does not have to be on the Sufi path or inclined to that path in order to engage the material in this book. Anyone with an interest in spirituality and mysticism will find, God willing, an abundance of themes within the boundaries of this work that are able to form the seeds of contemplative reflection for any faith background.

Travelling the Path of Love

Travelling the Path of Love
Author: Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee
Publisher: The Golden Sufi Center
Total Pages: 248
Release: 1995-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 096345742X

Sufism is a path of love. With the passion and depth of feeling that belong to lovers, Sufi masters through the centuries have described the soul's journey towards union with God. This collection of sayings, dating from the ninth century to the present day, follows the stages of this journey, allowing the masters to beckon us along this ancient path. Speaking with the experience of those who have tasted the mysteries of divine love, their words reach beyond the mind and into the heart. Travelling the Path of Love is offered as an inspiration to all those who are drawn to follow love's call.