The Sufi Book of Life:
99 Pathways of the Heart for the Modern Dervish
by Neil Douglas-Klotz (Saadi Shakur Chishti)
Taking the centuries-old form of a “dervish handbook,” The Sufi Book of Life is a guide to life and love updated for the twenty-first century
Part meditation book, part oracle, and part collection of Sufi lore, poetry, and stories, The Sufi Book of Life offers a fresh interpretation of the fundamental spiritual practice found in all ancient and modern Sufi schools—the medita-tions on the 99 Qualities of Unity. Unlike most books on Sufism, which are primarily collections of translated Sufi texts, this accessible guide is a handbook that explains how to apply Sufi principles to modern life. With inspirational commentary that connects each quality with contemporary concerns such as love, work, and success, as well as timeless wisdom from Sufi masters, both ancient and modern, such as Rumi, Hafiz, Shabistari, Rabia, Inayat Khan, Indries Shah, Irina Tweedie, Bawa Muhaiyadden, and more, The Sufi Book of Life is a dervish guide to life and love for the twenty-first century.
Neil Douglas-Klotz, Ph.D., is a world-renowned scholar in religious studies, spirituality, and psychology, a leader in the International Association of Sufism, and the cofounder of the worldwide network of the Dances of Universal Peace. He is director of the Edinburgh Institute for Advanced Learning and cochair of the Mysticism Group of the American Academy of Religion.
Visit the book’s website for more description, and a special on-line oracle: www.sufibookoflife.com
Endorsements:
“It is a real joy to read a contemporary Sufi book that is ALIVE…. With warmth, wisdom, humor and common sense The Sufi Book of Life makes accessible the Sufi path of inner transformation. This valuable book brings alive an ancient tradition of mystical love that is much needed today. Here is practical guidance for any spiritual traveler, pathways to help us uncover the real wonder of our divine nature.”
—Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, author Sufism, the Transformation of the Heart.
“A teacher once told me, ‘You want to be wise too quickly. Take small sips.’ This book reminds us of the small-sip practice of inner patience. Slow down. Open at random once a day. Read three pages. Wait for insight. Breathe.”
—Coleman Barks, author of The Essential Rumi
“At the present time understanding Islam and familiarizing oneself with the treasure of the Qur’an are becoming important pursuit in the western societies. There are few books written by western writers and scholars seeking to familiarize the reader with the treasure of Islam as a way of life. This book is one of them.”
—Nahid Angha, Ph. D., Co-Director, International Association of Sufism
“This Olympian book illustrates fundamental historical and contemporary Sufi teachings, which can be traced through religious, mystical, psychological and poetical channels, offering the reader the exceptional privilege of experiencing human and spiritual values of all devotional cultures. Neil Douglas-Klotz, the highly inspired creator of this priceless documentation, has accomplished the great task of drawing esoteric wonders into our daily lives, so that honest seekers on the path of truth may discover the magic jewels which are spread before them.
—Hidayat Inayat-Khan, son of Hazrat Inayat Khan, Pir and spiritual director of the Sufi Movement International
A Penguin Compass Original 2005
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