Awakening: A Sufi Experience

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Summary: Mystical teaching grounded in everyday responsibility
Review: Based on my own experience, I can't say enough to encourage others to seek out retreat experiences. But for those who cannot carve out the time, this fine book comes as near to the real thing as I've seen. Pythia Peay's transcription and editing of retreat sessions by Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan allows the reader to participate in the "process of inner unveiling" (ix) and awakening at the heart of this very readable and ecumenical book. With a gentle insistence on the development of conscience ("awakening in life") as a result of "awakening beyond life", Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan provides an antidote to mystified notions of spirituality and the disengagement often associated with conventional religious enthusiasm. Here are some of Pir Vilayat's own words from a book filled with authentic wisdom: "Though the mystical encounter goes deeper than words can convey, tangible traces of it can be seen in the actions we take, the values we uphold, and the ideals we strive for. In effect, what I am trying to say is that the illumination of consciousness leads inevitably to the awakening of conscience. This enables us to fulfill the purpose of our lives and actualize the unfurling of the potentialities of our beings.... there is no limit to the responsibility we bear toward others. (page 196)

Rating:
Summary: Awakening : A Sufi Experience (brad rossin liked it also)
Review: Brad Rossin liked this book a lot. if he did, you will. he is a genius in the field of sufism. buy this today

Rating:
Summary: Take Time To Heal
Review: When "The Awakening" arrived, it took me 2 weeks before I sat down and turned to page one. I tried to scan through like a "good" student, but somehow this book is not a typical Sufi book that teaches you through steps without wisdom. You have to be "awaken" or to "have died before death", in order to embrace every word, and comprehend the underlying structures and words chosen to convey the message therein. I would recommend "The Awakening" only to serious seekers. If you are a self-labelled religionist {Muslim, Jew, or Christian} and a staunch one at that you might find yourself against a brick wall.

"The Awakening" is a book that teaches you to take the time to heal your heart, in the wake, will then open you to your "Reality". The religion of the heart is most important here. If you're devoid of that, taking the path written therein can be an awesome task. "The Awakening" is one of the best Sufi manual I've read and understood without recoursing to references. A must-have in your collection, if you're seriously contemplating returning "home" sanely.

Rating:
Summary: Take Time To Heal
Review: When "The Awakening" arrived, it took me 2 weeks before I sat down and turned to page one. I tried to scan through like a "good" student, but somehow this book is not a typical Sufi book that teaches you through steps without wisdom. You have to be "awaken" or to "have died before death", in order to embrace every word, and comprehend the underlying structures and words chosen to convey the message therein. I would recommend "The Awakening" only to serious seekers. If you are a self-labelled religionist {Muslim, Jew, or Christian} and a staunch one at that you might find yourself against a brick wall.

"The Awakening" is a book that teaches you to take the time to heal your heart, in the wake, will then open you to your "Reality". The religion of the heart is most important here. If you're devoid of that, taking the path written therein can be an awesome task. "The Awakening" is one of the best Sufi manual I've read and understood without recoursing to references. A must-have in your collection, if you're seriously contemplating returning "home" sanely.

Rating:
Summary: Awakening : A Sufi Experience
Review: When one explores the world of mysticism, one must take into account cultural biases. This book transcends those biases by accurately portraying the real life experiences of the practioners of Sufism. In great detail the authors articulate the dervishes which play such a vital role to Sufis. As one who has visited the Old City in Jerusalem, I must confess that Sufism can be manipulated by those who are seeking profit. By contrast, the authors of this text are genuinly concerned about accurately portraying Sufism. I recommend this book for any individual who seeks to learn about spirtuality in the Middle East.