The Sufi Book Of Life Pdf
The Sufi Book of Life:99 Pathways of the Heart for the Modern Dervishby Neil Douglas-Klotz (Saadi Shakur Chishti)Taking the centuries-old form of a “dervish handbook,” The Sufi Book of Life is a guide to life and love updated for the twenty-first centuryPart meditation book, part oracle, and part collection of Sufi lore, poetry, and stories, The Sufi Book of Life offers a fresh interpretation of the fundamental spiritual practice found in all ancient and modern Sufi schools—the medita-tions on the 99 Qualities of Unity. Unlike most books on Sufism, which are primarily collections of translated Sufi texts, this accessible guide is a handbook that explains how to apply Sufi principles to modern life.
Part meditation book, part oracle, and part collection of Sufi lore, poetry, and stories, The Sufi Book of Life offers a fresh interpretation of the fundamental spiritual practice found in all ancient and modern Sufi schools—the meditations on the 99 Qualities of Unity. Unlike most books on Sufism, which are primarily collections of translated Sufi texts, this accessible Part meditation book, part oracle, and part collection of Sufi lore, poetry, and stories, The Sufi Book of Life offers a fresh interpretation of the fundamental spiritual practice found in all ancient and modern Sufi schools—the meditations on the 99 Qualities of Unity. Unlike most books on Sufism, which are primarily collections of translated Sufi texts, this accessible guide is a handbook that explains how to apply Sufi principles to modern life.
With inspirational commentary that connects each quality with contemporary concerns such as love, work, and success, as well as timeless wisdom from Sufi masters, both ancient and modern, such as Rumi, Hafiz, Shabistari, Rabia, Inayat Khan, Indries Shah, Irina Tweedie, Bawa Muhaiyadden, and more, The Sufi Book of Life is a dervish guide to life and love for the twenty-first century.On the web. A wonderful book. Introduces the 99 traditional Muslim names, or energetic qualities, of God, as vehicles for meditation, prayer, inner work, whatever your spiritual/religious persuasion. (Actually there are hundreds of different names, but there are 99 'official' or 'standard' names used.) Douglas-Klotz describes the names, gives their etymology and links to other names, and gives practices invoke the qualities and to deepen our understanding and relationship to them. I use this book as an A wonderful book. Introduces the 99 traditional Muslim names, or energetic qualities, of God, as vehicles for meditation, prayer, inner work, whatever your spiritual/religious persuasion.
(Actually there are hundreds of different names, but there are 99 'official' or 'standard' names used.) Douglas-Klotz describes the names, gives their etymology and links to other names, and gives practices invoke the qualities and to deepen our understanding and relationship to them. I use this book as an oracle of sorts - opening the book to a random page and working with the name that I've been given.
It's always surprisingly relevant. When you read on a book for four months, you know that something good is there.If you are anything like me, you probably know nothing about Sufism. Perhaps you have heard of dervishes, but see them as some sort of odd practitioner.Look again.Let's let the author define it for us: 'Sufism, is, first of all, a series of 'not's'-not a religion, not a philosophy, not even a mysticism.It's best to call Sufism a way of experiencing reality as love itself.' The book is a series of short essays When you read on a book for four months, you know that something good is there.If you are anything like me, you probably know nothing about Sufism. Perhaps you have heard of dervishes, but see them as some sort of odd practitioner.Look again.Let's let the author define it for us: 'Sufism, is, first of all, a series of 'not's'-not a religion, not a philosophy, not even a mysticism.It's best to call Sufism a way of experiencing reality as love itself.' The book is a series of short essays illustrated by short stories or poems. The essays are wise and thoughtful and can be read over and over for more and more wisdom and thoughtfulness.I'm very happy I received and read this book.
I will keep it and read on it again from time to time. I've gone through three editions of this book because I keep sharing it with friends. This book is an excellent introduction to Sufism. The use of the divine names, Mullah Nasruddin stories, and meditations are all done well. The book is deep enough to get me thinking, without being so in depth that I get exhausted just looking at it. I keep a copy with me to just open up at random and see what wisdom there might be for the day.
There's something in it for dervishes just starting on the path, I've gone through three editions of this book because I keep sharing it with friends. This book is an excellent introduction to Sufism.
The use of the divine names, Mullah Nasruddin stories, and meditations are all done well. The book is deep enough to get me thinking, without being so in depth that I get exhausted just looking at it. I keep a copy with me to just open up at random and see what wisdom there might be for the day. There's something in it for dervishes just starting on the path, and dervishes that have been on the path for awhile.
After I read and fell in love with the writings of Sufi poets Rumi and Hafiz, I became more curious about the Sufi religion and its practices.Unlike our Western robotic march from first page to last, this book is designed to be read randomly, either by browsing or by trusting that you'll be guided to the selection you need at that point in your life.Douglas-Klotz defines 'dervish' as 'one who sits in the doorway, or on the threshold of something, ready to move on and transform him- or herself.' After I read and fell in love with the writings of Sufi poets Rumi and Hafiz, I became more curious about the Sufi religion and its practices.Unlike our Western robotic march from first page to last, this book is designed to be read randomly, either by browsing or by trusting that you'll be guided to the selection you need at that point in your life.Douglas-Klotz defines 'dervish' as 'one who sits in the doorway, or on the threshold of something, ready to move on and transform him- or herself.' He defines 'Sufism' as 'a nomadic tradition, one that has constantly deconstructed and transplanted itself, rather than settle and build gigantic shrines, institutions.rituals, or organizations. Sufism is, first of all, a series of 'nots' - not a religion, not a philosophy, not even a mysticism. It's best to call Sufism a way of experiencing Reality as love itself.' Despite its origins within the Muslim faith, the point of Sufism is not to tie oneself to any particular creed or religion.
The author points out that 'In Sufi work, the divine Beloved is the Reality in which all events take place. Nothing is outside or excluded. Perhaps.you have been bruised by organized religion in the past. Just because a love affair has gone bad does not mean that love is unimportant.Sufism as a path is so wild and nomadic that if you find yourself feeling too enclosed or settled, you can strike your dervish campsite and move on.' '.Sufism strips the dogma from religion and goes to its heart, insofar as it insists on the reality beyond the ritual, the thing behind the symbol.' Each of the 99 meditations is designed to apply to one of the aspects of your being or of your life. Each meditation is presented in the same format.
Online Oracle
The concept is first named, such as 'The Sun of Love,' 'Burning Away Tension and Hurt,' 'Transition,' or 'The Return of What Passes Away.' Then the Arabic word or name for that condition is given, and a suggestion of 'When you are guided to this pathway.' For example, the meditation on 'Repair and Restoration' suggests, 'When you are guided to this pathway, it is an opportunity to feel the restorative power of the One and to take action to heal what has been broken.' This is followed by a brief discussion of how it fits into the previous concept (meditation) and into the concept that follows. An appropriate story or poem is next, with some brief examples of how this teaching may apply to your own life. A literal translation of the Arabic word is given, including the root words from which its meaning is derived. Finally, a brief direction is given for meditating upon the word, chanting the word, holding and pondering the concept within your heart.The book's overarching concept is that each of these 99 pathways is a different already-existing aspect of your own being.
By meditating upon and bringing forth all of these multiple aspects of yourself, you can progress toward self-integration, toward your best self, 'reunited in the circle of the heart's unity with the divine Beloved,' gathering and linking this 'circle of selves' into understanding your own unique purpose and philosophy in life.The point is not to adopt a particular religious idiology, nor to wrestle each concept into your being, as much as it is to let that particular drop of wisdom fall into your consciousness and then let it do its work subconsciously if it is appropriate for your life. You may come back to read it again and again, seeing a different aspect each time.I loved this view of not being tied to any particular tenets of an established religion, but to pursue sacred concepts and to establish your own understanding and direct relationship with 'the Beloved.' The chanting is not my thing, but hey, they said you can freely choose, right?
I liked the gentle humor and teasing, good-natured, encouraging tone throughout. I'd definitely recommend this book. I started reading this back in June, in the way the author recommends, which is to just randomly open the book and read about one of the 99 names of God. Each chapter/name includes a mystical interpretation of the name, a little story or commentary on how that quality/name may play a role in our lives, a commentary on the linguistic roots of the name that relates it to Aramaic and Hebrew (showing connections between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism), and then a short meditation one can do using I started reading this back in June, in the way the author recommends, which is to just randomly open the book and read about one of the 99 names of God. Each chapter/name includes a mystical interpretation of the name, a little story or commentary on how that quality/name may play a role in our lives, a commentary on the linguistic roots of the name that relates it to Aramaic and Hebrew (showing connections between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism), and then a short meditation one can do using the name to invoke this quality. Easy to read, the book presents Sufism in a way accessible to everyone, not just Muslims.
After a while I decided I wanted to understand the names better and started reading them one by one in order rather than randomly, reading one per day. Now that I've done that I may go back to the author's suggestion and open randomly in order to find a short meditative practice for that day. This is one of the resource books that I turn to over and over. For many years I have opened it at random every day as an oracle, and have always found wonderful guidance.
Even if you are not so interested in the arabic root of each pathway (which I am), the life guidance each entry offers is kind and wise. If one used the book as spiritual training, by reading and working with the practices in somewhat of an order, one could definitely grow and develop tremendously. The book also offers an This is one of the resource books that I turn to over and over. For many years I have opened it at random every day as an oracle, and have always found wonderful guidance. Even if you are not so interested in the arabic root of each pathway (which I am), the life guidance each entry offers is kind and wise. If one used the book as spiritual training, by reading and working with the practices in somewhat of an order, one could definitely grow and develop tremendously. The book also offers an introduction to a universal kind of Sufism, which draws on the wisdom of all spiritual traditions, using poetry and teaching stories.I own a number of copies, dog-eared and well-loved, I drag them with me to camping and travel and Sufi camps.
This book makes a terrific gift to others on the spiritual path.I have been to a number of workshops with Neil since 1986. He is a wonderfully kind and wise presence. He is laid back, a relaxed and skilled presenter. He is not only a scholar, but a mystic and a poet.
And with his work in middle eastern mysticism- of all traditions, including the Aramaic translations of the Lord's Prayer and the Beatitudes, he is unique. Update: I'm giving up on this for now. Yeah, I know I was rhapsodizing earlier. I guess I can't get into the state of mind required. Trying not to feel disappointed in myself.Original:Reading this book will be a new process for me. In its opening pages, the author advises us against reading from beginning to end in a linear way but instead to open the book randomly. If something strikes you then you should stay with it.
Also, not to stress too much about 'getting the point' because your Update: I'm giving up on this for now. Yeah, I know I was rhapsodizing earlier. I guess I can't get into the state of mind required.
Tour
Trying not to feel disappointed in myself.Original:Reading this book will be a new process for me. In its opening pages, the author advises us against reading from beginning to end in a linear way but instead to open the book randomly. If something strikes you then you should stay with it. Also, not to stress too much about 'getting the point' because your subconscious will be working through it at some level. We're being urged not to overthink - which really appeals to me since I've been concentrating so hard on the books I've been reading this year. (My brain is hurting a bit.) In fact, the author says, 'Paradox and foolishness are built in, as is what is deeply serious.'
Commenting that 'the book's 'program' has not been debugged', he warns that it is 'incompatible with any attempts to use it to find a consistent philosophy, metaphysic, or history that can be called `sufi'. The programmers take no responsibility for your rational system crashing under these circumstances.' I like this book already!
Very good on any level, except maybe in that the author might not be well versed enough in the wonderful root system of the Arabic language (weird given his background, maybe there's another reason?). Because sometimes it's just confusing for the reader with a linguistic background in Arabic when he equates different roots from different languages together when they don't have the same meaning. Maybe it's done on purpose (he does know a thing or two about Hebrew equivalents), but I find that Very good on any level, except maybe in that the author might not be well versed enough in the wonderful root system of the Arabic language (weird given his background, maybe there's another reason?). Because sometimes it's just confusing for the reader with a linguistic background in Arabic when he equates different roots from different languages together when they don't have the same meaning. Maybe it's done on purpose (he does know a thing or two about Hebrew equivalents), but I find that he's missing out a lot on what the Arabic root system can say and suggest on the 99 names. The book could have been even better.Otherwise I really like opening this book randomly every day, the non-linguistic aspect is always interesting, and its spiritual aspect is the most interesting one to me. This book adds 3rd dimension to the well-known breath training and techniques for improving consciousness.
I can't say this book promotes any religion though one can find references to the Jesus, Prop. Muhammad and the verses of Qur'an.
After each name of God, he gives short description, where the name comes from and meditation for that name. 'You may recite His names for 1000 times for this, 8000 times for other thing, even you recite this for 50000 times you will not get anything.
Because This book adds 3rd dimension to the well-known breath training and techniques for improving consciousness. I can't say this book promotes any religion though one can find references to the Jesus, Prop. Muhammad and the verses of Qur'an.
After each name of God, he gives short description, where the name comes from and meditation for that name. 'You may recite His names for 1000 times for this, 8000 times for other thing, even you recite this for 50000 times you will not get anything. Because God has already given everything to you.' Last year my son took rites into the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Sufi order. We've shared a common love for spirituality, religious studies, and each in our own ways pursued our own understanding of consciousness. This is a 'Sufism Lite' kind of meditations book that gives me a daily look into a small piece of my son's world. I love the new insights it's giving me into Kabir, Rumi, Hafiz, Saadi, Arabi, Khayr, and so many others.
It's piqued my interest and led me to want a more deep understanding of Sufi Last year my son took rites into the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Sufi order. We've shared a common love for spirituality, religious studies, and each in our own ways pursued our own understanding of consciousness. This is a 'Sufism Lite' kind of meditations book that gives me a daily look into a small piece of my son's world. I love the new insights it's giving me into Kabir, Rumi, Hafiz, Saadi, Arabi, Khayr, and so many others. It's piqued my interest and led me to want a more deep understanding of Sufi teachings. Good daily meditation or occasional oracle. I decided to learn about Sufism as I entered a crisis in faith in autumn 2016.
My approach to religion and theology had been mainly rational and I was very critical of rituals, but I realized that I was in trouble when my personal relationship with God and other people suffered. For instance, I was often very aloof and got angry about people who have different personality traits or political beliefs, while I had every reason to convince myself that I should not be angry; while I could persuade I decided to learn about Sufism as I entered a crisis in faith in autumn 2016. My approach to religion and theology had been mainly rational and I was very critical of rituals, but I realized that I was in trouble when my personal relationship with God and other people suffered. For instance, I was often very aloof and got angry about people who have different personality traits or political beliefs, while I had every reason to convince myself that I should not be angry; while I could persuade my mind, I could not persuade my heart.
I thought that I needed to change a way of thinking, and mysticism might be a good balance to rationalism. I did not give this book 5 stars because the way the author explains many of the 'pathways' are very confusing and some don't make sense. He also did not justify many of his bold claims. However, I said so probably because I'm not a mystic. Mystics often say that the Reality is ineffable, so the only way to see whether their claim is true is to empirically test whether what they propose works.
For the 'pathways' that did make sense to me, I found them very helpful and changed the way I think, so it seems that they work, to some extent. This solved my problem with the personal relationships. You have to really be 'into' Sufism to understand this; someone interested in Christian mysticism or even interspiritual mysticism might not appreciate the concept of divine names as being very important.
Still, I did gain a lot of insight into mysticism as practiced by the ancients; I find it helps me clear out all the 'baggage' that comes with current culture. I'm always amazed at how many Sufi writings ignore the Prophet just as in Christianity some of us are tending to downplay 'Christ as You have to really be 'into' Sufism to understand this; someone interested in Christian mysticism or even interspiritual mysticism might not appreciate the concept of divine names as being very important. Still, I did gain a lot of insight into mysticism as practiced by the ancients; I find it helps me clear out all the 'baggage' that comes with current culture. I'm always amazed at how many Sufi writings ignore the Prophet just as in Christianity some of us are tending to downplay 'Christ as Man' in favor of 'Christ as God'. Mystics seem to know the harm our human manifestations of God are causing us.
The Sufi Book Of Life Pdf 2017
Neil Douglas-Klotz is an internationally known scholar in the fields connecting religious studies and psychology as well as a poet and musician. He is the author of:.Prayers of the Cosmos: Meditations on the Aramaic Words of Jesus (1990);.Desert Wisdom: The Middle Eastern Tradition from the Goddess Through the Sufis (1995);.The Hidden Gospel: Decoding the Spirituality of the Aramaic Jesus Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz is an internationally known scholar in the fields connecting religious studies and psychology as well as a poet and musician.