THE SUFI PATH OF LOVE

THE SUFI PATH OF LOVE The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi William C. Chittick This is the most accessible work in English on the greatest mystical poet of Islam, providing a survey of the basic Sufi and Islamic doctrines concerning God and the world, the role of man in the cosmos, the need for religion, man’s ultimate becoming, the states and stations of the mystical ascent to God, and the means whereby literature employs symbols to express “unseen” realities. William Chittick translates into English for the first time certain aspects of Rurni’s work. He selects and rearranges Ramis poetry and prose in order to leave aside unnecessary complications characteristic of other English translations and to present Ramis ideas in an orderly fashion, yet in his own words. Thorough, non technical introductions to each chapter, and selections that gradually present a greater variety of terms and images, make this work easily accessible to those interested in the spirituality of any tradition. • *** “I consider this work to be of great importance in the field of Islamics in particular and of the humanities in general. It is superbly conceived and guides the reader through the theory, practice, and mystical realisation of Rumi’s thinking…. I can think of no better way for a Westerner, and nowadays for a Westernised Muslim to get to know the deeper aspects of the Islamic faith than through a work such as this. As far as I am aware of, it is the first work of its kind, providing the reader with a complete exposition of Ramis fundamental notions through Rfuni’s own words. No one else has done this with the thoroughness and meticulousness shown by Chittick.” -Victor Danner