Path of the spiritual traveler in everyday life kindle edition by bitkoff, stewart. Why is sufism so compelling to both spiritual seekers and scholars. In addition, samsel hopes the work will correct distortions of sufism and islam. What this book is, is a journey and a guide, from a teacher and a friend, for persons seeking the next step in their own conscious development. Providing a fascinating insight into how sufism operates within different spheres of society, sufism in the west is essential reading for students and academics with research interests in islam, islamic history and social anthropology. However, the term sufism has widely been defined as islamic mysticism that prescribes a true love of god which can only be generated by marifa gnosis, or knowing god properly.
Neither book purports to teach anything particularly new. Sulaymancis in germany gerdien jonker 4 third wave sufism in america and the bawa muhaiyaddeen fellowship gisela webb 5. Sufism for the western seeker, published in 2011, was nominated by foreword magazine for adult non fiction religious book of year book of the year award, placing 4 th honorable mention and is a must read. Purchases made on this website are fulfilled by wb connect pte ltd. It is the duty of every muslim to attain tazkiyah and nearness of allah the exalted. Treatise for the seekers of guidance download ebook pdf. Sufism for the western seeker is his most recent book, and chronicles.
Sufism and western vipassana meditation dhamma wheel. Sufism in the west chapter 10 the cambridge companion to. Path of the spiritual traveler in everyday life, dr. The second trend involves high concept meanderings in revisionist islamic, european, and american history. Instead, this book is recommended for anyone seeking an easily relatable introduction to mystical thought and spiritual selfhelp practices from someone who has spent his life on a spiritual journey. The retreat includes hotel accommodation and all meals from friday 6. Almost a prerequisite for any serious study of sufism in european languages. While the garden of truth is a summary it is not simply another academic appraisal. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Islamsu sm is masterpiece by titus burckhardt examines. Wardah books is at 58 bussorah street, singapore 199474 were open every day from 10am to 6pm. In recent years sufism has undergone something of a revival as a spiritual alternative to other manifestations of islam. For the spiritual traveler who wishes to follow the sufi path, the following 10 learning principles represent some of the dimensions to this ancient form of learning.
It is possible to make sufism a pastime, one interest among others, but that does not make one a dervish. Among the general western public, sufism has often been confused with the mystical traditions of the far east, and thus considered an independent religion without ties to islam. Instead this was written as a sufi treatise for western seekers. The essence of sufism available at mecca books the islamic. When you embark upon the journey towards sufism, be prepared to discover the peace of the inner life and the discipline of mystical spirituality. As bitkoff repeatedly says in the book, it is the religion before religion. The sufi book of life 99 pathways of the heart for the modern. While exploring the spiritual and psychological processes of transformation, this book offers practical guidelines to help the seeker. Path of the spiritual traveler in everyday life by dr. Yet this ancient path of spiritual knowing is much broader and older, available through all religions and independent of islam and these orders. All the attempts made by true sages and seekers after real truth are for. Introduction jamal malik literary productions of western sufi movements marcia hermansen persian sufism in the contemporary west leonard lewisohn the evolution of the naqshbandimujaddidi. A basic outline of the book follows and you will see that the present article is part of the vertica l chronology from ch.
Talk show guest appearance, conversations with advant garde sages. Two aspects of sufism well known in western culture are, of course, rumi and the whirling dervishes. One of the first to return to europe as an official representative of a sufi order, and with the specific purpose to spread sufism in western europe, was the swedishborn wandering sufi ivan agueli. Modernday seekers after truth will find no better source of guidance and study material than the writings of idries shah. It is fine to read widely and become acquainted with various traditions, but to be a sufi is much more than to have a preference for reading sufi books or listening to sufi music. Introduction jamal malik 1 literary productions of western sufi movements marcia hermansen 2 persian sufism in the contemporary west. This book investigates the development of sufism in western. The holy trail this primer on sufism is written especially for western readers who are looking for a comprehensive explanation of the principles and practice of this ancient spiritual path. Sufism for western seekers is not a historical or theological work about sufism written for the academic market. This book investigates the development of sufism in western societies, with a regional focus on north america and europe. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading sufism for western seekers.
This, too, is in keeping with the teachings of both books. In addition, the current perception of sufism by many nonmuslims and muslims alike is that of an apostate branch of islam shunned and even persecuted by the orthodox sunni and shia establishment. Review of sufism for western seekers 9780615562803. Threshold books for books on sufism, consciousness, and traditional wisdom from the threshold society, headed by kabir and camille helminski. This volume provides an objective analysis of current trends and developments in the beliefs and practices of sufis in britain.
Bitkoff peels back the inner world of sufism for the western reader. A number of westerners have embarked with varying degrees of success on the path of sufism. Western academics and muslims, elites and masses, outsiders and insidersall are brought together in this insightful survey of sufi discourse, practice, community, institutions, and leadership. An account of this sort of learning is available in. Click download or read online button to get treatise for the seekers of guidance book now. This is a section from a book im writing on western gurus and masters.
Mark sedgwicks western sufism presents key elements of the reception and conceptualization of sufism in european and american eyes over the long duree. What was offered was a generic spirituality that is the birth right of all. The sufi book of life 99 pathways of the heart for the modern dervish by neil. In the instance of new age sufism, faddish imitations of esoteric islamic traditions are adopted by western spiritual seekers. Kazi publications online catalog has for sale one of the best stocks of sufi books and books on islamlink fixed 20 august. If you have read bitkoffs sufism for western seekers, you will find many of the same lessons presented in the ferrymans dream. Path of the spiritual traveler in everyday life bitkoff. Anything that moves me towards the light is of the light, this book can be applied to any spiritual. Although the lessons are not original, their presentations are. The forty rules of love by elif shafak, the conference of the birds by attar of nishapur, the essential rumi by rumi, the sufis. A special treat for those interested in the adaptation of islam to modern western society, the volume offers an opportunity to better understand both the spiritual dimension and the lived circumstances of sufism in britain today. Bitkoff will share his experience in two modern, sufi, mystical schools, which is chronicled in his award winning book, sufism for western seekers.
There are thousands of books written on this genre. The seeking of the seekers is the trace of the pull of the puller. Professionally specializing in the healing applications of. I found this book easy to read and understand and both writing and content. While summarizing the basic doctrines of sufism, its historical unfolding, its luminaries and prerogatives nasr also draws a basic map of the path for the potential wayfarer.
Hardcover book for love of the real is a detailed description of the mystical journey to absolute truth from llewellyn vaughanlee, a sufi teacher whose earlier books include alchemy of light and return of the feminine and the world soul. Robert frager says, in essential sufism, about such stories and jokes p. Scholars can also mine it for its crystal clear information. In my considered view, here is a book to be read by all seekers of the. Path of the spiritual traveler in everyday life bitkoff, stewart on. Bitkoff is an avid student of sufi mysticism and the perennial philosophy. This book chronicles learning in 2 modern western sufi schools.
Download masnavi rumi, saadi, hafiz, khayam, attar in pdf format. Sufism is a dynamic and substantial presence within british muslim communities and is influencing both religious and political discourses concerning the formation of islam in britain. The arabic term sufi has been used in islamic literature with a wide range of meanings, by both proponents and opponents of sufism. All the attempts made by true sages and seekers after real truth are for the one aim of attaining to everlasting life. As far as i am aware, this is the first history of western sufism though i should emphasize that my focus is always. Books on sufism by shaykh taner ansari the sun will rise in the west. Aldous huxley had popularized the term perennial philosophy in his book of the same. Not surprisingly, with the popularity of new age spirituality there has been increased interest in sufism among western seekers. The authors personal journey and humor make this book a ray of spiritual sunshine. It is not necessary to read islamic spiritiuality books only when you are in search of sufism. A history of sufism for western readers the fountain.
Infact islamic spirituality books are those books that increases you in imaan and instill in you deep understanding of faith. Sufism, mystical islamic belief and practice in which muslims seek the truth of divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience of god. Sufisms origins in islam place its study firmly in the terrain of western. Classical sufi texts, which stressed certain teachings and practices of the quran and the sunnah. Sulaymancis in germany gerdien jonker third wave sufism in america and the bawa muhaiyaddeen fellowship gisela webb transnational sufism. Jason webster on why the republication of idries shah book about sufism. Announcing the launch of a new book on sufism sufi experience of god. With the increasing muslim diaspora in postmodern western societies, sufism intellectually as well as sociologically may eventually become islam itself due to its versatile potential. The transformation of the heart gives a clear and accessible outline of sufism. Bringing together leading international authorities to survey the history of islamic mysticism in north america and europe, this book elaborates the. Fons vitae publishes high quality books on islam, sufism, and spirituality. Path of the spiritual traveler in everyday life at. Announcing the launch of a new book on sufism sufi. He is the author of more than a dozen books about sufism and spirituality and has exercised a huge influence amongst western seekers over the last forty years.
Samsel said, the most typical misrepresentation of sufism is that it is not authentically islamic, whether this is claimed by muslim fundamentalists, muslim modernists, or western spiritual seekers. A list of books to increase islamic spirituality islam. Shaping ones reality and directing ones thoughts and actions are among the mystical teachings within dr. Before reading sufism for western seekers, my knowledge of sufism was basic at best. Though there had been previous studies of sufism in western. This work can be seen as a useful companion to elements of his previous book, against the modern world oxford university press, 2004, as part of a greatly needed attempt to historicize euroamerican views of islamic mysticism. It consists of mystical paths that are designed to learn the nature of humanity and of god and to facilitate the experience of the presence of divine love and wisdom. Bitkoffs two books, sufism for western seekers, which was recently nominated by foreword magazine for book of the year in the religion category and his newest title the ferrymans dream. Both represent attempts to respond to the islamist challenge without recourse to politics or the military. According to the journal of near eastern studies, it is one of the most thorough and intimately engaging books on sufism to be produced by a western scholar. In this personal, semibiographic spiritual guide, sufism itself is redefined as being older. In america today, online spaces serve as critical alternatives for techsavvy muslims seeking a place to root their faith, forge religious identity, and build communities. This book investigates the development of sufism in western societies.
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