Idris Shah byl autorem a učitelem súfijské tradice, který se snažil prezentovat súfismus jako univerzální formu moudrosti. Jeho rozsáhlé dílo, zahrnující více než tři desítky knih, se věnuje psychologii, spiritualitě a kulturním studiím. Shah využíval tradiční výukové příběhy a podobenství, které obsahovaly více vrstev významu a byly navrženy tak, aby v čtenáři vyvolaly vhled a sebereflexi. Svým přístupem, kdy súfismus přizpůsoboval moderním západním psychologickým konceptům, významně ovlivnil jeho vnímání na Západě.
Pečlivě vybraná sbírka ilustrativních příběhů, vyprávění a anekdot, které ilustrují zkušenostní filosofii a vyučovací postupy používané v súfijském učení. „To, co si omezení hloubalové představují pod moudrostí, je súfíji nahlíženo jako hloupost. Proto súfíjové často nazývají sami sebe hlupáky.“
I přes časový a geografický odstup přitahují súfijské příběhy již po staletí pozornost čtenářů západní kultury.Súfismus, mystická tradice islámu, představuje méně známou tvář tohoto náboženství, která se vyznačuje duchovní hloubkou, otevřeností, tolerancí... Ve školách jednotlivých súfijských mistrů měly často při vedení žáků své pevné místo příběhy. Byly vyprávěny s podobným úmyslem jako např. kóany v zenovém buddhismu, měly narušit navyklé ustrnulé způsoby vidění, poučit o paradoxním charakteru reality, otevírat mysl pro hlubší smysl věcí. Idries Shah uvádí řadu příběhů súfijských mistrů a ke každému z nich připojuje komentář, informace o autorovi a o smyslu příběhu.
Focusing on the adventures of Afghan traveler and writer Idries Shah, this sequel to Darkest England explores his encounters with the 'English tribe.' Through a blend of humor and insight, Shah showcases his anthropological perspective, revealing the fascinating and often amusing aspects of English culture. The narrative offers readers a thought-provoking glimpse into the intricacies of identity and community, making it both entertaining and enlightening.
'Perhaps the best introduction to the body of Shah's work, the most comprehensively informative. And one is immediately forced to use one's mind in a new way.' - The New York Times When it first appeared in 1964, The Sufis was welcomed as the decisive work on the subject: rich in scope, clearly explaining the traditions and philosophy of the Sufis to a Western audience for the first time. In the five decades since its release, the book has been translated into dozens of languages, and has found a wide readership in both East and West. It is used as a text in scores of leading universities around the world, and the material contained within it has been applied by psychologists and physicists, by school teachers, lawyers, social workers, and by ordinary members of the public. Ted Hughes wrote of it: 'An astonishing book. The Sufis must be the biggest society of sensible men on earth'; and Nobel laureate Doris Lessing said of it: 'I had waited my entire life to read this book.'
This book is an anthology of the extraordinary diversity of Sufi ideas and activities in many countries and cultures today. Nothing approaching this kind of survey has ever been assembled. In addition to first-hand accounts of Sufi learning methods, subjects covered include the Sufi meeting place, avoiding imitators, Sufi work enterprises, the idea of organic enterprises, entry into a Sufi group, the Sufi adept and the projection of mind, extra-sensory perception, what the Sufis do not want us to know, and more.
Exploring themes of power and leadership, this book delves into the complexities of authority and influence. It challenges readers to reflect on their own capabilities and responsibilities in commanding respect and guiding others. Through insightful anecdotes and practical advice, the narrative encourages personal growth and self-discovery, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their leadership skills and understand the dynamics of command in various contexts.
The classical Sufi masters often behaved in dramatic and unexpected ways in marketplaces, palaces, village streets, wherever people assembled. The purpose of these demonstrations was to create an event that people could think about and learn a lesson from. In 1969, Idries Shah, author of over thirty books on Sufi teaching and learning, used modern methods of mass communication to create a teaching-event for the modern world. "The Book of the Book", first published in that year and now in its seventh printing, transmits a 700-year-old narrative on the theme of "do not mistake the container for the content". But it projects this lesson in a highly unconventional way. Reactions to "The Book of the Book" ran the gamut. Some people were infuriated. One "expert" at the British Museum said it was "not a book at all". Others either thought the cover price was too high for a "book that was not a book", or simply bought it for novelty value and kept it on hand to mystify their friends. In time, the pendulum began to swing in the other direction. Readers and reviewers now understand that unlike any other literary product ever published, "The Book of the Book" offers the opportunity to participate in a major Sufi teaching-event ... for the price of a book. Expect the impact of "The Book of the Book" to continue to ripple through the literary marketplace for decades to come.
The narrative delves into the protagonist's existential crisis, exploring themes of identity and self-discovery. As they grapple with profound questions about their purpose and place in the world, the story unfolds through a blend of introspective thoughts and external experiences. Richly layered with emotional depth, it invites readers to reflect on their own journeys of understanding and acceptance. The journey is both personal and universal, making it a compelling read for anyone seeking to confront their own questions of existence.
Challenging conventional thinking, this collection presents fables, aphorisms, and thought-provoking statements designed to liberate the mind. It encourages readers to confront unfamiliar perspectives and recognize the deeper truths in everyday life and personal experiences. The foreword emphasizes that the most impactful fables reflect real-life dynamics rather than mere fiction, inviting introspection and a reevaluation of one's understanding of reality.
Exploring Sufi thought through diverse perspectives, this collection features essays on topics such as Sufi literature, humor, and cultural communities. It includes insights from experts on the intersections of Sufism with psychiatry, Indian philosophy, and therapeutic practices. Notable contributors like Idries Shah, Doris Lessing, and Dr. Arthur J. Deikman enrich the discourse, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the complexities of Sufi philosophy and its applications across various fields.
