Sufi Ways
The Innumerable Pathways of the Heart
When a Sufi tells a story, no PowerPoint is used, no bullet-pointed thought-nuggets conveyed to be studiously notated. These stories cannot be diced, sliced, parsed or interpreted for their metaphoric or allegorical meaning. In fact, if you tell a Sufi story well, to interpret it would kill it. If I tell you that such and such a character means this, the bird is the soul, the donkey is our ego… blah blah blah. It’s all nonsense.
Like a Zen koan, a real Sufi story allows a person’s innate wisdom to arise from the inside. And wisdom (unlike its poor cousin, the fact or supposed fact) cannot be given like a pill to the merely rational, cognitive side of our minds. That part of our mind—useful in many situations—fixates on a supposed meaning, ideal or principle, then strolls away very happily, completely unchanged in its depths.
In those depths lie all the important feelings, inklings, habits and passions that control most of our lives. When only the modern, surface part of our heart-mind gets involved, even a story told by a Buddha can turn into a tale heard by an idiot, signifying nothing.
–from the introduction to The Little Book of Sufi Stories
Insights of Divinity Through Humanity
A conversation between Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri and Neil Douglas-Klotz (Shaykh Saadi)
Reviews of The Sufi Book of Life:
“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 familiarising 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.”
–Hazrat Hidayat Inayat-Khan, son of Hazrat Inayat Khan, spiritual director of the Sufi Movement International
Jonah in the Whale: Spiritual Illumination in Islam:
Selected conversations between Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri, Dr. Adnan al Adnani and Neil Douglas-Klotz (Shaykh Saadi) from the SFH Foundation YouTube channel.
Sufi Stories Live Audio
Paid Audio Download
The Journey of the Human Soul in the Writings of Hazrat Inayat Khan
Related Books
The Little Book of Sufi Stories (2018)
“If you want to hear a good story, but prefer to read it instead, then read Neil Douglas-Klotz….heart-pleasing, often humorous, yet soul-searching Sufi stories.” — Maryam Mafi
This book retells some of my favorite stories, and a few you haven’t heard before.
Paperback, published by Hampton Roads.
The Sufi Book of Life (2005)
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“One of the outstanding books I always keep at hand…these 99 doors open to a palace.” –Elif Shafak
Offers a fresh translation and interpretation of the fundamental spiritual practice found in all ancient and modern Sufi schools — the meditations on the 99 Qualities of Unity (asma al husna) Penguin Compass Original.
Gardens of Vision and Initiation (2020)
The Life Journey of Samuel L. Lewis
“Takes us on the inner and outer journey of this remarkable man, who left us with the gift of the Dances of Universal Peace, adn the living grace of a soul who embraced both love and pain in service to God.” –Llewellyn Vaughn-Lee
An autobiography selected from letters, papers, diaries and recordings, edited and with notes by Neil Douglas-Klotz. Completely revised with new material from Samuel Lewis’ writings on spiritual activism, plus the real origin of the Dances of Universal Peace.
Paperback, ebook.
Illuminating the Shadow (2016)
“A book of subtle messages that will challenge and inspire any serious seeker, regardless of ethnic or religious background.” –Muneera Haeri
“Thanks to this saavy presentation of his writings, Moineddin’s vision can now light the way for many more seekers.” –W.A. Mathieu
Sufi and interspiritual writings of Moineddin Carl Jablonski (1942-2001), the spiritual successor of Samuel L. Lewis.
Paperback and also on Kindle ebook.
Desert Wisdom (2010)
“Weaves ancient sacred messages by the golden thread of unity…open this book anywhere and discover delightful inner openings.” –Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri
Part oracle, part meditation book, and part Aladdin’s cave of myth and sacred story,
Desert Wisdom offers a fresh way to hear the ancient visionary voices of the Middle East, applied to life’s big questions.
Original Meditation (2003, 2016)
“…a brilliant scholar with heart whose words have the power to reconnect us to our sacred source.” –Joan Borysenko
The ancient form of creation meditation that unites the three religions of the Middle East. An anthology of Jewish, Christian and Islamic creation mysticism with new translations and body prayer meditations throughout.
The Heart of the Quran (Lex Hixon 2003)
“Beautifully wrought and piercingly true.” — Ken Wilbur
An Introduction to Islamic Spirituality.
In this new edition, Neil Douglas-Klotz has rearranged the passages thematically and provided commentary for each major theme.
Paperback, ebook.
The Tent of Abraham (2006)
by Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Joan Chittister, OSB and Murshid Saadi Shakur Chishti (with a foreword by Karen Armstrong)
“People really must read this book, for the choice of interpreting our three faiths as the grounds for war or for peace is nothing less than a choice between life and death.” — Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff
Three key religious thinkers write about the story of Abraham as a way to deepen Muslim, Christian, and Jewish understanding.
Hardback, Paperback. Beacon Press.