"A welcome addition to the literature on Islam . . . Reading through the many entries, one gets a feeling for the beauty and deep wisdom of the Sufis." — Library JournalThe definitive compendium of Sufi wisdom, Essential Sufism presents more than three hundred beautiful and inspirational works from all eras of Sufism. From thousand-year-old prayers to contemporary Sufi poetry, this beautiful collection embraces the full diversity of a rich traditio...

Heart, Self, and Soul is the first book by a Western psychologist to explore the rich spiritual tradition of Sufism as a path for personal growth. Western psychotherapy aims largely to help us eliminate neurotic traits formed in childhood and adapt to society. In contrast, the Sufi goal is ultimately spiritual: Yes, we need to transform our negativity and be effective in the world; but beyond that, we need to reach a state of harmony with the Divine. Full of stories, poetry, medit...

Once a woman brought her son to the thirteenth-century Turkish Sufi master Nasruddin complaining that the boy had an uncontrollable sweet tooth. She asked Nasruddin to tell the boy to stop eating sweets. He said to bring him back in four weeks. When they returned he said, “Boy, I order you to stop eating sweets!” The mother asked, “Couldn’t you have said that at the beginning? Why make us wait four weeks?” “No, I couldn’t have said that even two weeks ago,” Nasruddin replied. “Why not?” as...

James Fadiman and Robert Frager explore the depth and breadth of this rich and complex 1500-year-old tradition, describing the beauty, wisdom, sensuality and humor they have found in their studies spanning the past two decades. They discuss what Sufism has in common with other religions, and what sets it uniquely apart.

Insight into Life is the real religion, which alone can help man to understand Life.' Hazrat Inayat KhanThe Sufis have been using carefully constructed stories for teaching purposes for thousands of years. Though on the surface these often appear to be little more than fairy or folk tales, the Sufis hold that they enshrine - in their characters, plots and imagery - patterns and relationships that nurture a part of the mind not reachable in more conventional ways, thus increasing ou...

The wisdom of the great Sufi master comes to life in this compendium of 365 Rumi poems and writings for daily contemplation and inspirationMy heart wandered through the worldconstantly seeking after my cure,but the sweet and delicious water of lifehad to break through the granite of my heart.When the words of Rumi enter your heart, something softens, breaks, and is subtly reborn. That he wrote the words seven hundred years ago ...

At long last, an accessible little book that focuses on the teachings of Rumi's teacher and inspiration, Shams of Tabriz. Included in this slim, charming volume is a biographical sketch of the great Sufi teacher and mystic and a new translation of 500 of his core teachings that bring into fresh focus the meaning and mysteries of life and love.There are many books on Rumi and many translations of his works and yet most readers are unaware of how Rumi became a mystic. Shams, an Arabic word t...

A first-of-its-kind combination of the legendary wisdom stories of Islam's great comic foil with spiritual insights for seekers of all traditions—or none."We would do well to heed the Mulla's wisdom. One day, inevitably, our personal storms will not abate before causing destruction. Something will break our hearts and cause us to ask deeper questions. At that point we will become spiritual seekers, each in our own way.... We will begin to hear deep inside the myste...

Discover the richness of Rumi’s spiritual tradition—throughfacing-page commentary that brings his writings to life for you."This book you are now holding is a selection of what I believe are the best of Rumi’s accounts of the compassionate actions, sayings, and qualities of the Prophet, which include Rumi’s own inspired comments and explanations. It is my hope that you will be surprised and uplifted by the profound wisdom that Jalaluddin Rumi conveys through...

This groundbreaking and seminal work is the first to travel into the very center of that uncharted meeting-place of science and spirituality. It presents for the Western reader a concept of the self from the Islamic view, the same concept as revealed in the teachings of several world religions, in particular the Judeo-Christian traditions.It provides a genuine spiritual psychology rooted in a profound understanding of the mystery of the human self."It takes a rare autho...

Reveals the secret teachings of the Khwajagan, the Masters of Wisdom of Turkish Sufism• Provides biographies for the entire lineage of teachers in the Naqshbandi order, such as Yusuf Hamdani, the first recognized Khwajagan, and Baha’ al-Din Naqshband, from whom the Naqshbandi order of Sufis took its name• Shows that this spiritual path focuses on expanding awareness of the heart to reach God-consciousness• An essential guide for understanding Itlak Yolu, th...

This new volume of Rumi’s works, the first-ever English translation of his Arabic poems, will be exciting for the newcomer to Rumi’s verses as well as to readers already familiar with his mystical philosophy. The poems take the reader on a journey of spiritual exploration, ecstatic union, cruel rejection, and mystic reconciliation. Rumi reveals his soul and welcomes everyone to his spiritual feast.This dual-language volume opens a treasury of Rumi’s mystic thought and startling poet...