The Way of the Sufi: (American Edition)

Great book on Sufis and explaining to the Western Seeker what it is to be a dervish.

Great work!...partially historical...partially full of working material...Part 5...the best teaching story is..."The thee deaf men and the dumb Dervish"...Part 9...questions and answers...concise...top objective!...

a classic of religious literature. introduction to greatest Sufi thinkers. real people who once lived.

A great book to learn about Sufism: quotes from classical authors, descriptions of the Sufi orders, a variety of additional materials.

An excerpt from this book was read at a college campus event I attended. I liked the excerpt and decided to pick up a copy. I only found a handful of other "useful" pieces to this book. Though my over all impression was a little disapponited.

I read this book while traveling Europe alone and it anchored me during that time. For whatever reason, being out of my ordinary environment and with a lot of alone time made much of it sink in. The Way of the Sufi samples wisdom from several periods of Sufi history. Perhaps not unexpectedly I found the writings of some of the sages resonated more with me than others. Not one to usually like rereading books, I found myself thumbing back to the same stories and rereading them again later, plucking different layers of meaning off with each new immersion. Many of the stories read like fables. All are succint and provide ample fodder for reflection and thought.I love this book. I have ordered copy after copy but they keep dissapearing into the hands of my friends and fellow travelers...

My title for this review consists of a quote from Shah's introduction to a number of El-Ghazali's quotes, observations, and admonitions. In a society like ours in which "information" is so often used interchangeably with "knowledge," we suddenly come upon an author (Shah) who uses words in a special, precise fashion that sharpens both his message and our understanding. After Ghazali, Shah introduces us to the works of seven other classical Sufi authors. He then moves on to a consideration of the four major orders, showing us their deficiencies as well as their strengths for raising the consciousness of men and women, primarily in the East. Teaching stories and themes for solitary contemplation are presented toward the end of the book, followed by some revealing "Letters and Lectures," and a Q & A section with two contemporary Sufi masters. The density of Shah's prose, as well as his offerings from other Sufi teachers in later sections of the book, leaves one's mind and heart in awe of the majesty of the Sufi source of Knowledge. I feel that almost anyone can benefit from this book, which is full of material that covers a range from the contemporary and practical to the uplifting and sublime.

The opening essay of this fascinating book provides a clear, concise tracing of the Sufi influence on human thought and action through the centuries. That's followed by sections on the great Sufi masters of the past, including background information and selections from their most influential teachings. The book also includes a wide assortment of teaching stories, lectures, and themes for contemplation, which, taken together, provide a panoramic view of the Sufis and the impact they have had--and continue to have--on society. This is essential reading for those who wish to learn what it means to be "in the world but not of it" from the authentic Sufi perspective.

perfect by dad friend great gift

I have to say this book is amazing, it is filled with great sufi sayings, stories, and much more.this a taste:The MadmanThere was a certain madman who would not take part in congregational prayers. One Friday after much difficulty people induced him to attend. But as soon as the leader of the prayer started to recite, the madman started to bellow like an ox.The people assuming that he was only reverting to his madness, but at the same time desirous of helping him, challenged him afterwards:"have you no idea of God, that you should make noise like an animal in the middle of a believing congregation?But the madman said "I was only doing what the prayer leader was doing, when he intoned he was buying an ox, and I spoke like an ox!"When this strange remark was confessed to the leader of the prayer he confessed" when I was saying God IS GREATEST OF ALL, I was in fact thinking about my farm. And when I got to the phrase PRAISE TO GOD, I thought that I would buy an ox. It was at that moment I heard something bellowing.

Got to be the best book introducing Sufism to western minds. Shah is a true genius in trying to explain something almost inexplicable, but he relates the wisdom easily and a really good way. The format is spot on and even an idiot like me can understand the concepts he is exploring.

wow what a good read. so much wisdom from the sufi.I would definatley recommend this book.Take your time reading and absorbing it don't try too hard,truth flows gently.

All good many thanks, book arrived really quick and I will need now to start to read and enjoy my reading.