Alone with the Alone

Rating:
Summary: An intelligent penetration into the mysteries of sufism
Review: Henry Corbin, one of the very few western scholars of Islamic Mysticism, and particularly of the Andalusian "Shaikh al-Akbar". L'"immagination créatrice dans le soufisme d'Ibn Arabi" is without doubt an intelligent penetration into the mysteries of Ibn Arabi's doctrines on theophanism, the doctrine of the "Fedeli d'amore" of Islam, and on the creative capacity of the soufi's heart. Of particular interest is the chapter on Divine Love represented allegorically in his "Tarjuman al-ashwaq" and its correspondance with the Convivio of Dante Alighieri. Corbin compares Ibn Arabi's beloved "Nizàm" with Dante's Beatrice. The parallel between the "Alchemy of Happiness" and the "Divine Comedy" of the Florentine poet is surely the key of this excellent book.

Rating:
Summary: This is a 6 star book
Review: One of the most profound books I have read. An original and thought provoking book. Perhaps only Corbin can do justice in introducing a man like Mr. Arabi to the west. I would gladly read any book written by Henry Corbin.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic analysis of Arabi
Review: The only thing which might be better than reading this book, is reading Arabi himself. This is a useful introduction to a vast field, that gives a careful analysis to his ideas and therefore it is a must. I will have to re-read it, to get everything out of it and at that time I may change my rating.