- Paperback: 120 pages
- Publisher: Thames & Hudson; Reissue edition (14 Jun 1976)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 050081015X
- ISBN-13: 978-0500810156
- Product Dimensions: 24.9 x 23.6 x 0.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
405,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #59 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Islam > Sufism
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Product Description
Product Description
Sufism is the inner dimension of Islam, expressing hidden archetypes in concrete symbols. To the Sufi, both the ritual of the worshipper and the work of the craftsman evoke the life which resides within all things: the preparedness of matter to answer the call of God. Through the Sufi themes of the descending arc of Creation, the formation of the human soul, and its return through the ascending arc of the Quest, this book brings to light the spiritual reality which underlies the forms and rhythms of the Islamic tradition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
This masterful short book on Sufism is a real gem. Lavishly illustrated with beautiful images of Sufi art, architecture and geometry it is a feast for the eyes, giving you the mystical experience through its visual element alone. But that is not all. Bahktiar provides us with as succinct but all-encompassing an overview of the essence of Sufi mystical thought as one could possibly imagine. Nothing is left out, or so it feels, written in language of the utmost precision and clarity.
Bakhtiar's vision is deeply Sufic and, in the grand tradition of Sufism, deeply universal. Other cultures and influences are paid tribute to - Christianity, Plotinus, the Upanishads, the Hermetica etc - while never losing the particular feel of the Sufi Way. The full expanse of Muslim Mysticism is drawn upon, with its greatest exponents: Rumi, Arabi, Attar, Ghazzali etc - all referenced.
Highly recommended, for the beginner looking for a way in and the seasoned Sufi, for a treasure chest of images and ideas.
Bakhtiar's vision is deeply Sufic and, in the grand tradition of Sufism, deeply universal. Other cultures and influences are paid tribute to - Christianity, Plotinus, the Upanishads, the Hermetica etc - while never losing the particular feel of the Sufi Way. The full expanse of Muslim Mysticism is drawn upon, with its greatest exponents: Rumi, Arabi, Attar, Ghazzali etc - all referenced.
Highly recommended, for the beginner looking for a way in and the seasoned Sufi, for a treasure chest of images and ideas.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Beautiful Introduction to Sufism
10 Aug 2000
Format:Paperback
This book is a wonderful introduction to Sufism, the mystical tradition of Islam. The first part of the book is a lucid essay about the origins and basic outlook of the Sufis; Bakhtiar contrasts Creation ("the arc of descent") with the mystical quest ("the arc of the ascent"). The second part of the book is an exquisitely beautiful collection of photographs and reproductions of traditional Sufi illuminated manuscripts; the colors are strikingly clear. The third part of the book highlights particular themes in Sufism, including the Sufi understanding of geometry, architecture, music, poetry, and dreams. This book is a must for anyone who intuitively understands the connection between spirituality and the visual arts.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Tasawwuf al-Irani
26 Jan 2004
Format:Paperback
Bismillah! Even after years of reading Sufi material, this book retains a special place in my memory for the beautiful introduction it provided to the Way of Return. This book is esentially the most inspired best coffee-table book I've ever come across, combining luxuriously illustrated design with lucid essays on the sacred quest, the relationship of shaykh and disciple, and various doctrines such as expansion and contraction in creation and consciousness. All of this places the Sufi way firmly in the unveiling of the last Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the world of Islam. Culturally, this book favors the Iranian (and therefore Turkish and central Asian as well) tradition and neglects aspects of the Arab and Indian Sufi expressions.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
An excellent introduction to the quest of the mystic
26 Nov 2010
Format:Paperback
Laleh Bakhtiar allocates all the cornerstones of the mystic's quest with a simple language. To do that is a feat in itself because the experiences of the inward quest cannot be easily described without often using vague metaphors and comparisons. Since there is an emphasis on the feminine qualities of the divine, like creation being one example, as a condition to a better grasp of the divine essence I like that the mystic's story comes from a woman's perspective.
The selection of the images, be it calligraphy, carpet designs or architectural masterpieces, to demonstrate and relate to the journey to the divine presence is as much revealing as the texts from holy scripture or mystical poetry.
I highly recommend it.
The selection of the images, be it calligraphy, carpet designs or architectural masterpieces, to demonstrate and relate to the journey to the divine presence is as much revealing as the texts from holy scripture or mystical poetry.
I highly recommend it.
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