Caravan of Dreams

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Summary: Caravan of Dreams Contains an Indefinable Nutrition
Review: The best way I can describe this marvelous work is to say that it enables what Shah has elsewhere described as 'interior movement of the mind.' By submitting to the work, and reading it in the spirit of learning from it, one is able to observe how prejudices creep into the effort even when one thinks that such is not the case. The attachment to bias weakens, and one is able to read with a mind that is more free. The book is therefore an astonishing tool-astonishing to me because there is so much more to it than meets the eye. The reader can therefore enjoy 'Caravan of Dreams' for its entertainment and educational value, as well as deriving benefit from this other, indefinable nutrition. The book, for these reasons, is strongly recommended.

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Summary: A book of Extraordinary Tales
Review: The first time I encountered this book was one Thursday night nearly thirty years ago when friends read The Story of Mushkil Gusha (one of the many stories it contains). Despite numerous readings (and tellings) of that story, one keeps finding more that is in it. Like the book itself, it gets better and richer in meaning, the better one gets to know it. Other tales in this extraordinary book do, too. The Magic Horse and The Tale of Melon City come immediately to mind. This is a most remarkable book to read oneself and to share with others. Read aloud the Story of Mushkil Gusha with friends some Thursday night and discover, for yourself, what riches it contains!

Rating:
Summary: Caravan of Dreams
Review: This is a wonderful book. It's not only very enjoyable but it also contains many layers of insight which appear to unfold with every re-reading. Like other works by Idries Shah, it seems to operate in a 'scattered' yet coherent manner -keeping you mentally on your toes, encouraging flexibility and the capacity to look at usual things in unusual ways, with new clarity. This diversity includes teaching stories, sayings of the Prophet, proverbs, and the fascinating account of the author's trip to Mecca.