Western Sufism is sometimes dismissed as a relatively recent "new age" phenomenon, but in this book Mark Sedgwick argues that it has deep roots, both in the Muslim world and in the West. In fact, although the first significant Western Sufi organization was not established until 1915, the first Western discussion of Sufism was printed in 1480, and Western interest in Sufi thought goes back to the thirteenth century. Sedgwick starts with the earliest origins of Western Sufism in late antique Neoplatonism and early Arab philosophy, and traces later origins in repeated intercultural transfers from the Muslim world to the West, in the thought of the European Renaissance and Enlightenment, and in the intellectual and religious ferment of the nineteenth century. He then follows the development of organized Sufism in the West from 1915 until 1968, the year in which the first Western Sufi order based on purely Islamic models was founded. Western Sufism shows the influence of these origins, of thought both familiar and less familiar: Neoplatonic emanationism, perennialism, pantheism, universalism, and esotericism. Western Sufism is the product not of the new age but of Islam, the ancient world, and centuries of Western religious and intellectual history. Using sources from antiquity to the internet, Sedgwick demonstrates that the phenomenon of Western Sufism draws on centuries of intercultural transfers and is part of a long-established relationship between Western thought and Islam.

This is a book on the spiritual in everyday life. The very variety of its contents is an illustration of the significance of Sufism and spirituality in general for human life. The first two parts, Sufi Mysticism and The Path of Initiation and Discipleship expand further on themes presented in earlier volumes, particularly in volumes 1 The Way of Illumination. The reader is called to reconsider his life and how he is leading it rather than what life is his. Where is your ideal? In Sufi Poetry Hazrat Inayat Khan discusses the life, work and influence of some of the great Sufi poets of the past, illustrating the significance of mysticism and discipleship.

The Way of Illumination inspires the reader with its Sufi philosophy, cast in a modern and universal form, on the purpose of life, the inner side of life in conjunction with life in the world. It sheds light on the essence of our nature, being of Divine origin. Hints are given as to what and how the Sufi way, with the help of a spiritual guide, can contribute to one's spiritual and religious development. This is the first volume of the Indian edition of all the works intended for the publication of Hazrat Inayat Khan, the great Sufi mystic who lectured and taught in the western world from 1910 until his passing away in 1927. This volume consists of four parts; The way of Illumination; The Inner Life; The Soul, whence and whither; The Purpose of life.

This volume is rich in both quantity and quality. It offers beautiful insights into the world of the mind in its relation to the body on the one hand, and to the soul on the other. Interestingly, in the conception of Hazrat Inayat Khan, the mind includes the heart: thinking and feeling are not separate. The matter is discussed from three different angles. In the Book of Health Hazrat Inayat Khan presents a picture of health and healing which rises above the controversies between traditional and 'western' professionals. Moreover, it appeals directly to both ordinary man and healers. It sets forth the basic laws governing the divine healing power as well as several methods for its application. Quite another perspective is offered in Mental Purification. This collection of papers deals with the workings and hygiene of the mind and heart. One comes to the understanding of how to "manage" the mind, both for living everyday life and for spiritual development. Rather it implies how leaving the world physically or mentally. Rather it implies how to deal with life and yet keep your balance by proper attunement. The Mind-world expands on this subject matter resulting in a sort of travel guide` through the world of the mind. Although it is highly practical, yet it never substitutes for your own options and decisions. It is like a foundation on which to build your individual life. Sufi Hazrat Inayat Khan (Baroda 1982-Delhi 1927) provides a beautiful guidebook for your inner path. It contains neither prescriptions nor do's and don'ts. You may be provided with insight and understanding which may be as a welcome in the circle of Sufi friends, or as a silent companion on your further way. "The soul is called Atman, which means happiness or bliss itself. It is not that happiness belongs to the soul; it is that the soul itself is happiness." This inspiring book covers almost all aspects of the life of someone who chooses to go the way of self-unfoldment and self-realization. It refers to the struggle of life, its intoxication and its deeper side. The aim, meaning and purpose of life are discussed. What is wanted in life? Essential for the answer to this question are concepts like the art and development of personality, attitude, interest and indifference, purity of life, and the ideal. All these are discussed in separate chapters dealing with these items in an inspiring and uplifting manner, nevertheless remaining realistic as to daily life's requirements. Life is presented as an opportunity to gain experience both within and without, stressing their mutual interdependence. The second half of the book discusses, amongst others, inner life, the kingly road from limitation to perfection, and the stages of his destiny, in the context of the continuity of life. This the fourth volume of the Sufi Message by Hazrat Inayat Khan. It includes three works- the first, Healing is a collection of teachings on spiritual healing. In this work, the Suri mystic discusses the basic laws governing the mind's influence on the body, which he considers greater than that of the physical body on the mental existence, and he emphasises the need for a stronger awareness of the possibilities which spiritual healing can offer. Mental Purification is a collection of lectures on the working and hygiene of the mind in relation to the spirit. This part conveys in a beautiful way the synthesis that can be gained between inner life and life in the world. The volume concludes with the Mind World- which in the terms of the Sufi poets is called 'The palace of Mirrors' - an expression which Inayat Khan takes as symbolising on different levels, the whole of life.

By unlocking the hidden spiritual truths of fairy tales, we gain understanding of the deep mystical meaning, hidden in the depths of such stories, and how these insights can be applied to the lives of modern day truth seekers. Through study, we realize the journey itself and the great battles we must fight to overcome the demons and dragons deep within us. In The Witch and the Fairy as Teacher in Fairy Tales, Sufi leader Nuria Daly explores the inner realms of the creative imagination and our common crucial purpose of finding and integrating the Creative Feminine. This book introduces many worthy themes for reflection as a wonderful eye-opener to reading the symbolic psychological dimension of popular stories. Great stuff. I love it! a beautiful telling of the inner spiritual journey from the outer realm of dualism via the union of opposites, through growth in wholeness, towards oneness with the divine. Can be read time and again, and as the lessons are learnt and practiced, ones subsequent understanding and self-realization are deepened. This is the essence of wisdom literature indeedDr Nicholas Coleman, Director of School of Spiritual Studies The book springs from decades of teaching Sufi wisdom. The voice is not a narrative voice but a meditative one, providing a renewal or indeed a reimagining of the wisdom voice of Sufism. The text is an allegory of the teaching process. It teaches about teaching. - William M. Johnston, Emeritus Professor of History (University of Massachusetts) and Editor, The Encyclopedia of Monasticism.

This is a book on love, integrating the human aspects of it with its divine essence. Spiritual liberty is a prerequisite for this integration. It refers to a state where one is no longer dependent on outer circumstances and on the fancies of one's mind. Therefore, it is also a book on the spiritual path which leads man from imperfection to perfection, from self-consciousness to ever-flowing sympathy. It is the path of the unfoldment of the soul. The soul is the lightning spark of the Divine Sun within ourselves. It is the most original part of our being, which will be the only part lasting forever, ultimately unified in its divine origin. Thus it is a book on birth and death also, on life here and in the hereafter, on reincarnation and spiritism. All these items are treated from both the philosophical and the psychological points of view and integrated by the mystical perspective.