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Review
"Despite the popularity of Sufism, few books provide an overview of this mystical branch of Islam-- a void Nasr fills nicely with this concise primer. . . . a wise and tantalizing overview."--Publishers Weekly
Product Description
Sufism has made significant contributions to the spread of Islam and the development of various aspects of Islamic civilisation. Many conservative Muslims disagree with many popular Sufi practices, particularly saint worship, the visiting of tombs, and the incorporation of non-Islamic customs. Consequently, in recent centuries Sufism has been a target for Islamic reformist and modernist movements. Nasr is the preeminent Sufi scholar in the U.S., and in the tradition of Martin Buber's I and Thou, here provides the beliefs and vision of the mystical heart of Islam. A gentle anitdote to the extremist Muslim fundamentalists who capture the headlines and taint our perception of the world's fastest growing religion.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There are a lot of books about Islam and Sufism. Some of them are dry and academic while others go to the other extreme of being cultish and 'new age'. This book by a respected figure gives us a thorough look into the subject. It is well researched without being dull and covers the esoteric aspects with maturity. He makes the effort to explain the translations of the sayings of well known historical figures from Arabic or Persian into English - thereby helping the reader get a clearer idea about the intentions behind the words. There are many books out there that put in a token effort to do so. Reading this, you get an idea of what can fall between the gaps. A little research on the author will make it clear that this is someone with a solid background in his subject matter. It is also a useful point of reference for information about other authors / figures and publications in this field. Nasr expands on areas that you might find touched on by other writers, as well as giving you some ideas about which sources to use in future.
1 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
The first half of Nasr's book comprises a description of the more mystical elements of Sufism, gnosis and love of the divine. This is well written and makes good use of parallelism with Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism, but perhaps verges a little on the New Age-y side in its lyricism and lack of theological rigour. Though apparently being in some sense open to other religions, Nasr is however adamant that Sufism can only be practised as part of Islam in its entirety, alongside shari'ah.
The second half consists of appendices which describe the history of schools of Sufism (Nasr almost sniffily concedes to having to add such a section with a dig at Western historicism, when the underlying theology is supposedly timeless), followed by a section entitled "The Tradition of Theoretical Sufism and Gnosis" which despite the title describes nothing of the theory and theology but is yet more history. This second half of the book is dry and adds nothing to the reader's understanding of Sufi doctrine.
There are a couple of annoyances in the Kindle edition - the superscript references are not hyperlinked, and the Arabic transliteration where using dotted consonants uses graphic elements which can be quite hard to read (especially the dotted s representing the letter 'sad').
I'm not sure who this book is really aimed at. Because of the lack of systematic theology herein I feel that I have not gained much knowledge of Sufism by having read it. I'll be having to look elsewhere.
The second half consists of appendices which describe the history of schools of Sufism (Nasr almost sniffily concedes to having to add such a section with a dig at Western historicism, when the underlying theology is supposedly timeless), followed by a section entitled "The Tradition of Theoretical Sufism and Gnosis" which despite the title describes nothing of the theory and theology but is yet more history. This second half of the book is dry and adds nothing to the reader's understanding of Sufi doctrine.
There are a couple of annoyances in the Kindle edition - the superscript references are not hyperlinked, and the Arabic transliteration where using dotted consonants uses graphic elements which can be quite hard to read (especially the dotted s representing the letter 'sad').
I'm not sure who this book is really aimed at. Because of the lack of systematic theology herein I feel that I have not gained much knowledge of Sufism by having read it. I'll be having to look elsewhere.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
12 reviews
51 of 55 people found the following review helpful
The Premier Compendium of Sufism in the English Language
30 Sep 2007
Format:Hardcover
Seyyed Hossein Nasr is a rare phenomena in these days of religious decadence, earth-ravaging materialism, and all around despair. Nasr's sober call to return to our religions, not to the truncated and diseased state into which we've reduced them, but to their still beating hearts which are everywhere the same, is the driving force behind this latest title "The Garden of Truth", which is a sort of inner sequel to his "The Heart of Islam" published in 2002. This 'still beating heart' is not other than the esoteric or inner dimension of religion which informs its outer practices and doctrines, and it is this that communicates most directly the religion's presiding idea. In Islam this 'beating heart' is what we call in the West Sufism, but which is also known as Tasawwuf in Arabic, and 'Irfan in Persian. This living tradition, which goes back to the noble Prophet Muhammad, consists of many disciplines, all of which seek to purify our soul and render it transparent vis-à-vis the Divine Attributes. And while tomes have been written on the myriad aspects of this tradition it is incredibly difficult to give a concise summary that does even the least bit of justice to it. In fact I can think of no one better qualified to undertake such a task than Seyyed Hossein Nasr. Over the past four decades Nasr has, more than any other Muslim scholar, informed the Western world about not only the Islamic tradition, but its central virtues, which are preserved most succinctly in Sufism. Covering Nasr's qualifications for this is beyond the scope of this humble review, but suffice it to say that he has lived the reality of Sufism for over fifty years, has studied under traditional masters of Islamic philosophy/gnosis, and is recognized as a peerless scholar of Islamic civilization, its arts, and its philosophical tradition.
While "The Garden of Truth" is a summary it is not simply another academic appraisal. Instead this was written as a Sufi treatise for Western seekers. While summarizing the basic doctrines of Sufism, its historical unfolding, its luminaries and prerogatives Nasr also draws a basic map of the Path for the potential wayfarer. Obviously a book can never take the place of a living Master, but books can be useful supports for embracing the spiritual life. Also, it should be noted that although this is a summary it is by no means a light read. Since Nasr's perspective is informed by Islam's long tradition of knowledge-based mysticism his interpretations of Sufi doctrine, symbolism, and rites are tempered with that principial knowledge associated with speculative metaphysics. It is this edge that allows Nasr to communicate the sublimity of the Islamic vision, and of Sufism in particular, to a Western audience with all of the nuance necessary to make its central doctrines and practices intelligible.
As the destructive and hedonistic culture of the secularized West dominates more and more of the globe, crushing indigenous cultures, erasing the traces of their religions, and subordinating their economies, one wonders what could curb the sheer madness such a domination entails. For the spiritual man the only answer is inwardness, self-reform, and trust in God. For some of us Islam, and Sufism, are the means whereby these goals are sought, and I can think of no better a guide than Seyyed Hossein Nasr.
While "The Garden of Truth" is a summary it is not simply another academic appraisal. Instead this was written as a Sufi treatise for Western seekers. While summarizing the basic doctrines of Sufism, its historical unfolding, its luminaries and prerogatives Nasr also draws a basic map of the Path for the potential wayfarer. Obviously a book can never take the place of a living Master, but books can be useful supports for embracing the spiritual life. Also, it should be noted that although this is a summary it is by no means a light read. Since Nasr's perspective is informed by Islam's long tradition of knowledge-based mysticism his interpretations of Sufi doctrine, symbolism, and rites are tempered with that principial knowledge associated with speculative metaphysics. It is this edge that allows Nasr to communicate the sublimity of the Islamic vision, and of Sufism in particular, to a Western audience with all of the nuance necessary to make its central doctrines and practices intelligible.
As the destructive and hedonistic culture of the secularized West dominates more and more of the globe, crushing indigenous cultures, erasing the traces of their religions, and subordinating their economies, one wonders what could curb the sheer madness such a domination entails. For the spiritual man the only answer is inwardness, self-reform, and trust in God. For some of us Islam, and Sufism, are the means whereby these goals are sought, and I can think of no better a guide than Seyyed Hossein Nasr.
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
A beautiful Book
15 Jan 2008
Format:Hardcover
This review was originally written for this book, but somehow found itself linked to Dr. Nasr's collected papers, edited by Chittick. "The Garden of Truth" is an absolutely beautiful book. Although it might be called a primer, it is deep and rich and filled with sentences that make you stop and ponder and contemplate the wonders of the inward and outward aspects of the Divine. The chapter on love and beauty alone is pure gold. What I also liked about Dr. Nasr's narrative is his respect and appreciation for other mystical traditions, both East and West. His is no narrow view. I am a Jungian analyst by profession, but an amateur Sufi, amateur meaning one who does something for the sheer love of it. This book has deepend that love.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
A Review By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
2 Jan 2008
Format:Hardcover
Seyyed Hossein Nasr is professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University and the author of many books including The Heart of Islam. This erudite, enlightening, and wide-ranging overview of Sufism is the result of 50 years of both scholarly study and existential participation in Islam's mystical tradition. He notes at the start of this survey:
"The Sufi tradition contains a vast metaphysical and cosmological set of doctrines elaborated over a long period by masters of gnosis. It contains methods of spiritual realization that address nearly all the different spiritual possibilities on the levels of action, love, and knowledge. It has preserved over many centuries going back to the Prophet a regular chain of transmission of initiatic power (walayah/wilayah) and the grace (al-barakah) necessary for the spiritual journey. And above all, it can enable men and women to reach a state of sanctity."
Nasr believes that Sufism is uniquely qualified to help spiritual seekers in the West appreciate other religions and to serve as an antidote to Islamic fundamentalism. With its rich blend of mystical poetry, its diverse literature, its spiritual ethics, and its many musical masterworks, this path of the heart speaks to all those who yearn for a closer intimacy with God, a richer interior life, and a spiritual repertoire of practices that give life depth and meaning.
The book is divided into sections on:
* What It Means to Be Human (Who Are We and What Are We Doing Here?)
* Truth (The Knowledge That Illuminates and Delivers from the Bondage of Ignorance)
* Love and Beauty (The Fire That Attracts and Consumes, the Peace That Calms and Liberates)
* Goodness and Human Action (To Do His Will, to Conform to the Divine Norm)
* How Do We Reach the Garden of Truth? (The Path to the One)
* Access to the Center (Sufism Here and Now)
* The Sufi Tradition and the Sufi Orders (Reflections on the Manifestation of Sufism in Time and Space)
* The Tradition of Theoretical Sufism and Gnosis
The Sufi path leads from the deserts of forgetfulness, selfishness, and separation to the Garden of Truth where individuals can realize their true identity. According to Nasr, followers of the path are expected to be God's servant and always grateful, no matter what the circumstances. The author acknowledges that the road to the Garden of Truth involves acquiring and realizing unitive knowledge and being immersed in love and beauty. Sufis are known as "people of the heart," and intimacy with God means acting with humility, charity, nobility, sincerity, and truthfulness. Another practice is imitation of the Prophet Muhammad, who modeled a glorious way to live. Sufi masters talk about the importance of adab, a form of courtesy and kindness which pervades everything one does, from greeting people to eating to sitting in a gathering. Shaykhs help dervishes learn the spiritual disciplines and virtues, which are the ornaments of the soul.
According to Nasr, the integration of the contemplative life and the active life is the hallmark of Sufi spirituality. In these uncivil times, we need more people who have been trained in the spiritual efficacy of loving actions. A life of beauty is a life where attention, being present, gratitude, peace, and compassion are manifested at home and at work. Sufism also nurtures the spiritual arts which in turn can transform our lives both privately and publicly. The Garden of Truth by Seyyed Hossein Nasr is a very helpful illumination of this beautiful path.
"The Sufi tradition contains a vast metaphysical and cosmological set of doctrines elaborated over a long period by masters of gnosis. It contains methods of spiritual realization that address nearly all the different spiritual possibilities on the levels of action, love, and knowledge. It has preserved over many centuries going back to the Prophet a regular chain of transmission of initiatic power (walayah/wilayah) and the grace (al-barakah) necessary for the spiritual journey. And above all, it can enable men and women to reach a state of sanctity."
Nasr believes that Sufism is uniquely qualified to help spiritual seekers in the West appreciate other religions and to serve as an antidote to Islamic fundamentalism. With its rich blend of mystical poetry, its diverse literature, its spiritual ethics, and its many musical masterworks, this path of the heart speaks to all those who yearn for a closer intimacy with God, a richer interior life, and a spiritual repertoire of practices that give life depth and meaning.
The book is divided into sections on:
* What It Means to Be Human (Who Are We and What Are We Doing Here?)
* Truth (The Knowledge That Illuminates and Delivers from the Bondage of Ignorance)
* Love and Beauty (The Fire That Attracts and Consumes, the Peace That Calms and Liberates)
* Goodness and Human Action (To Do His Will, to Conform to the Divine Norm)
* How Do We Reach the Garden of Truth? (The Path to the One)
* Access to the Center (Sufism Here and Now)
* The Sufi Tradition and the Sufi Orders (Reflections on the Manifestation of Sufism in Time and Space)
* The Tradition of Theoretical Sufism and Gnosis
The Sufi path leads from the deserts of forgetfulness, selfishness, and separation to the Garden of Truth where individuals can realize their true identity. According to Nasr, followers of the path are expected to be God's servant and always grateful, no matter what the circumstances. The author acknowledges that the road to the Garden of Truth involves acquiring and realizing unitive knowledge and being immersed in love and beauty. Sufis are known as "people of the heart," and intimacy with God means acting with humility, charity, nobility, sincerity, and truthfulness. Another practice is imitation of the Prophet Muhammad, who modeled a glorious way to live. Sufi masters talk about the importance of adab, a form of courtesy and kindness which pervades everything one does, from greeting people to eating to sitting in a gathering. Shaykhs help dervishes learn the spiritual disciplines and virtues, which are the ornaments of the soul.
According to Nasr, the integration of the contemplative life and the active life is the hallmark of Sufi spirituality. In these uncivil times, we need more people who have been trained in the spiritual efficacy of loving actions. A life of beauty is a life where attention, being present, gratitude, peace, and compassion are manifested at home and at work. Sufism also nurtures the spiritual arts which in turn can transform our lives both privately and publicly. The Garden of Truth by Seyyed Hossein Nasr is a very helpful illumination of this beautiful path.
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