Rating: 
Summary: A book I wanted to like but . . .
Review: I am generally a fan of Coleman Barks work; this book, however, was a disappointment. The jacket cover says of Michael Green "is working to create a new kind of sacred art for our time." This is an accurate description - he is still "working" with some successes and some failures. The net result is that pursuing the volume's art, one is encouraged to explore further.Coleman Barks' text interweaves Jellaludin Rumi, who is translated well, with Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, a contemporary Sufi teacher. Unfortunately, Bawa Muhaiyaddeen does not fare well in the comparison. Bark's descriptions of personal experience and renderings of Bawa Muhaiyaddeen evoke thoughts of many of the South Asian "mystics" who arrived in the US in the late 60's and early 70's. While there are teachers who impress me in under 16 pages, this teacher leaves me unimpressed in 140. This book does have value in its explanation of the ritual prayer of the Muslim Sufi. It deals well with the relationship between the physical and mental aspects of prayer. It raises some interesting questions regarding the relationship of revealed scripture (the Koran) and the interpretation of the scripture, especially mystical meaning. The net result is a book that is interesting reading for the insights into the followers of a particular teacher, one easily representative of a class of teachers. It shows both the spiritual needs and the "leaps of faith" taken to fill those needs. In that, Coleman Barks has performed a service for us.
Rating:
Summary: A book I wanted to like but . . .
Review: I am generally a fan of Coleman Barks work; this book, however, was a disappointment. The jacket cover says of Michael Green "is working to create a new kind of sacred art for our time." This is an accurate description - he is still "working" with some successes and some failures. The net result is that pursuing the volume's art, one is encouraged to explore further. Coleman Barks' text interweaves Jellaludin Rumi, who is translated well, with Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, a contemporary Sufi teacher. Unfortunately, Bawa Muhaiyaddeen does not fare well in the comparison. Bark's descriptions of personal experience and renderings of Bawa Muhaiyaddeen evoke thoughts of many of the South Asian "mystics" who arrived in the US in the late 60's and early 70's. While there are teachers who impress me in under 16 pages, this teacher leaves me unimpressed in 140. This book does have value in its explanation of the ritual prayer of the Muslim Sufi. It deals well with the relationship between the physical and mental aspects of prayer. It raises some interesting questions regarding the relationship of revealed scripture (the Koran) and the interpretation of the scripture, especially mystical meaning. The net result is a book that is interesting reading for the insights into the followers of a particular teacher, one easily representative of a class of teachers. It shows both the spiritual needs and the "leaps of faith" taken to fill those needs. In that, Coleman Barks has performed a service for us.
Rating: 
Summary: Sublime !
Review: I have read quite a number of books on Sufism. This is the best and most beautiful introduction among all. It covers both Islam and its innermost meaning, the Sufi way: its mystic nondual devotional realization. It deserves 10 stars. Is not only introductory and easy to read, but also deeply profound and universal. It really goes beyond any kind of narrowness that it's so easy to associate with Islam or with any religious establishment in general. La illaha il Allahu. There's only God.
And this book is a wonderful portal to that truth.
Rating:
Summary: Sublime !
Review: I have read quite a number of books on Sufism. This is the best and most beautiful introduction among all. It covers both Islam and its innermost meaning, the Sufi way: its mystical nondual devotional realization. It deserves 10 stars. Is not only introductory and easy to read, but also deeply profound and universal. It really goes beyond any kind of narrowness that it's so easy to associate with Islam or with any religious establishment in general. La illaha il Allahu. There's only God.
And this book is a wonderful portal to that truth.
Rating:
Summary: A must have book for ANY spiritual seeker!
Review: I was deeply impressed by the depth and poignant nature of this ecumenical work. This wonderful book embraces, lovingly, the essential truths of prayer and meditation found within all religions and also outside of religious traditions. I was especially moved by the powerful quotes from Sufi Sage Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, a towering giant among Masters of Wisdom. Both Green and Barks are to be congratulated for their uncompromising clarity and depth. Whether you believe in a particular religious path, God, Allah, Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, the Tao is not at issue here. The core of the material presented concerns the everlasting benefits of prayer regardless of ones religious leanings. Prayer ultimately guides one to that 'open space' where all religions, all truths merge into One. I cannot say enough about the exalted content of this gem!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: In "Conference of the Books, A Search for Beauty in Islam" Author and Scholar Khaled Abou El Fadl vexes over the lack of beauty in contemporary Islamic expression. He has some very interesting points. Points that I recalled upon my exposure to Michael Green's beautiful and meaningful paintings. While the Shia community produces an enormous treasury of artwork, highly expressive with spiritual tones to it, the Sunni community remains stagnant and stoic. There is a suffocation of creative activity in Islam for a number of reasons. Most of all is that there is an extreme conservatism amongst the practicing Muslims in the Sunni tradition which makes anything beyond intricate calligraphy a sinful act. They cite some odd reports, attributed to the Prophet, which seem to restrict personal expression and the making of images. This position is bizarre because, using the basic logic of Islamic jurisprudence, if there is not a harm in people worshiping those images, then its nature is purity and permissibility. I don't know... It sounds goofy, but Im certain the conservatives would claim that images have an inherent "evil" in them that forces people to recognize them as deities... Anyway, as you may have guessed, this title explores some of the meanings of the salah prayers as understood by Coleman Barks. Barks, a student of Bawa Muhaiyadden, and a devotee of Rumi has translated Rumi's poetry into an interesting manual of spirituality. I enjoyed the insights and the artwork in this. Michael Green certainly has a gift. I hope to see more like this.
Rating:
Summary: My Uncle Makes Me Proud
Review: Michael Green has numerous books of illustrations, all of which are superb. This continues his fine tradition of excellence. Buy this along with his others!
Rating:
Summary: Upward Refinements
Review: Personally I found this book sublime and uplifting, an indispensable companion for the western muslim/sufi. Salat is an open barzakh(bridge)between oneself and ones Lord. Additionally the book is an uplifting, introduction to the Islamic practice of prayer and the sublime concept of Allah, (exalted be His name) held by the awilya and sadiqun.
Rating:
Summary: The whole Sonoma county
Review: The is a beautiful book, beautifully illustrated and written. Each time I pick it up it is a feast for the mind and spirit. It is all encompassing and will appeal to people from any background.
Rating:
Summary: Beloved!
Review: This is an incredible witness and gift...inviting me through movement, word, sight, and heart to the Creative One. Open to the Beauty, Peace, and Light reflected within its pages....! The movements and words of the Prayer are lovingly outlined, explained and shown in a manner accessible to seekers. Heart wisdom of the ages is evident within the choices of poetry and teachings of such servants as Mevlana and Bawa. Additionally, the contemporary artistic expression and design further intimates the timelessness of a prayerful response to the Divine Mystery. This selection offers a worthy remembrance and gift to others taking their next steps along a spiritual path, be it shahada, bayat, or re-affirmation. It points to one's direct experience of the Divine.
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