The Sufis

I have only started this book, but it is definitely informative for all seekers.

This is an introduction to Sufi thought by Indries Shah, a leading Sufi wrter and teacher. It covers important Sufi masters, as well as chapters on dervishes, miracles, an an esoteric interpretation of the Koran. Sufism is commonly believed to be a sect of Islam, but this is not necessarily true. Not all Sufis are Muslims. The path of the Sufis seems to include group participation, initiation, and finding a Sufi Master.

Pros:- Piqued my interest in Al-Ghazali and Al-Hallaj’s works- What appears to be a thorough look at Sufism, presenting its value to scientific methodology and to understanding mystical insightCons:- [Audiobook version] Narrator David Ault’s annoying voice when quoting Nasrudin, whose ‘jokes’ are rather unfunny- Shah’s claims of the Christian rosary and Zen originating from Sufism are rather far-fetched chronologically, and refuted by a few internet searches.- Unnecessary knockdowns of Hinduism and Buddhism, seen as inferior versions of the Sufi tradition

I don't want to have a limit on how many words I have to write in a review, that is one of the reasons I don't take the time to do these on amazon.com. I have a lot to write and I don't feel like writing lengthy reviews on each of them. there for don't expect me to write anything about your co.

When I first read this book many years ago, I was shocked by the information that I was exposed to. There were very many radical ideas being promulgated by the author. More than a few of those ideas challenged the underpinnings of my worldview. It was a challenge to Western consensus reality. I did not accept the author's assertions on face value. Some of the things he was suggesting that were true, if he was right, would mean that many beliefs I held were based on inaccurate and/or incomplete information; poorly understood or misunderstood concepts; and outright untruths. How could this be? I set out to answer that question and ascertain (as well as I could) the veracity or otherwise of the claims in the book. About thirty years later I am still working on it. But I found very quickly that there was a vast, solid foundation of Truth that made up the ground upon which Idries Shah stood. If you haven't read this work and are unfamiliar with it, then please buy it and read it without delay. It could easily be the most important book you will ever read. And some knowledge that you will get from it might very well save your life.

"Being a Sufi was a reality without a name. Today, it is a name without a reality." The Sufis is about so much more than the whirling dervishes and moulids in Egypt. This seminal work by Idries Shah shows us the patterns and the linkages of 'the Sufis', a way of being, learning and creating that strikes to the heart of human purpose. From the Masons, to St. Francis to the great medieval Sufis such as El Ghazali, Rumi and Al Attar, Idries Shah shows us how this way of being penetrated history, influenced our development, and offers an exit from the labyrinth of confusion and fanaticism that plagues us today.

I am astounded at the impact that this book has on understanding our world today. Over the ages there are always special people who transform our thinking. Idries Shah is one of these people with the insight and perspective to educate us. The wide scope of this book sends the message that we cannot overestimate the impact of these remarkable folks. When I first read this book I was inspired to see the wide ranging ideas of this perennial teaching. As I read it again and again, layers of meaning become revealed and underscore that the book itself is a teaching vessel, powerful and unexpected in its effect. With humor and depth, Shah rips off the veils of our previous assumptions and opens our eyes to a new world.

Selective reading, following only the things which one decides are interesting or central to Sufi – or any other kind of – knowledge, can produce ludicrous results, if it does anything at all. This has been called ‘making a comb without the teeth’. I rather like one story intended to help the learner register the need to attend to all aspects of a teaching story, or of instructions given by an authentic teacher, or even procedures handed down from antiquity:THE HONEYMOONA man was seen, dressed in exotic finery, whooping it up in the streets of a city. Someone asked him why he was doing it. “Why not?” he asked, “I am on my honeymoon!”“But where is your bride?”“Oh, she’s been here once before, so she stayed at home!”***So, if you want to benefit from Idries Shah's books, there is full instruction:[...]

Great

Un gran libro !!! para hojear cada tanto, después de haberlo leído- es un libro que siempre se vuelve a el- totalmente recomendado- lo tengo en papel pero quería tenerlo en versión kindle- Magnifico !!!!

Compre este libro por culpa de mi gato, que le dio a la pantalla de mi iPad tras una compra "de verdad". El libro es una grandísima broma. Un señor que dice que ya no existen sufíes, pero que se dedica en toda la extensión del libro a explicar lo que es el "verdadero" sufismo. Es como leer un libro sobre los rosacruces o los misterios de Eleusis. Pura fantasía, pero el autor pretende que lo tomen en serio. Maldito animal (me refiero a mi gato).

Maravilloso y para releer

This is a truly great book. Everyone on earth should read it. It follows the Sufi way. Giving indepth information into what it is and also introduces you to the teachings and writings of some of the great Sufis.