Veiled Gazelle


Book Description

A 'Veiled Gazelle', as the great mystic Ibn Arabi explains in his Interpreter of Desires, is a subtlety, an organ of higher perception. Sufi experientialists refer to the activation of these centres of awareness as the awakening of real knowledge of Truth beyond form. A Veiled Gazelle considers the symbolic and instrumental employment of its literature in Sufi studies. Seldom didactic, and never meant only as entertainment, such works are regarded as some of the world's greatest and most important writing.




The Commanding Self


Book Description

A mixture of primitive and conditioned responses, common to everyone, which inhibits and distorts human progress and understanding.




The Way of the Sufi


Book Description

"The Way of the Sufi presents an unparalleled cross-section of material from Sufi schools, teachings and classical writings, as a basic course of Sufi study. Its author, Idries Shah, is regarded as the most influential modern exponent of Sufi ideas. His many books on the subject seek to make some of the Eastern world's greatest teachings accessible to a Western audience. In this book, Shah begins with the outward aspects of the teaching most likely to puzzle the student coming fresh to the subject. He considers various attitudes to Sufi ideas, and evidence of their absorption into medieval Christianity, Hinduism, Jewish mysticism and modern philosophical teachings. The greater part of the book illuminates aspects of Sufi activity and practice relevant to the contemporary world." --




Wisdom of the Idiots


Book Description

Tales from the Sufi tradition, illustrating Sufi philosophy and ways of thinking.




World Tales


Book Description

No ordinary collection of tales, this anthology was the result of extensive research that led Shah to conclude that there is a certain basic fund of human fictions which recur again and again throughout the world and never seem to lose their compelling attraction. This special paperback version of World Tales concentrates on the essentials, the text of the stories, and omits the illustrations which were part of a previous edition.




Caravan of Dreams


Book Description

Caravan of Dreams distills the essence of Eastern thought in a feast of Sufi stories, sayings, poems and allegories, collected by one of the world's leading experts in Oriental philosophy and Sufism. Idries Shah builds up a complete picture of a single consciousness, relating Eastern mythology to reality, illuminating historical patterns, and presenting philosophical legends in this unique anthology.Its title is inspired from the couplet written by the Sufi mystic Bahaudin:'Here we are, all of us: in a dream-caravan,A caravan, but a dream - a dream, but a caravan.And we know which are the dreams.Therein lies the hope.'




Darkest England


Book Description

In his best-selling Darkest England, Idries Shah asserts that the English hail from a little-known place called 'Hathaby', but their roots go back much farther, perhaps to the distant Asian realm of Sakasina. Once a nomadic tribe of warriors, the English fled westward, bringing with them epic tales, traditions, and an Oriental way of thought.Shah charts the genius of the English in adopting and adapting 'almost anything spiritual, moral or material' for their own use - a faculty that has transformed them from warrior nomads into successful diplomats, businessmen, thinkers and scientists.




Music and Altered States


Book Description

An international collection examining the opportunities for using music-induced states of altered consciousness. The observations of the contributors cover a wide range of music types capable of inducing altered states. It will interest practicing music therapists, musicologists, and ethnomusicologists, students and academics in the field.




Historical Dictionary of New Age Movements


Book Description

"The Historical Dictionary of New Age Movements examines various New Age concepts, spokespeople, and leaders; a range of human potential and self-help practices; countercultural spiritual developments; and different groups and organizations that identify themselves as New Age, without judging or categorizing them. More than 240 entries make this dictionary a valuable resource for students, practitioners, and serious academics."--BOOK JACKET.