Idries Shah Libros

'Perhaps the best introduction to the body of Shah's work, the most comprehensively informative. And one is immediately forced to use one's mind in a new way.' - The New York Times When it first appeared in 1964, The Sufis was welcomed as the decisive work on the subject: rich in scope, clearly explaining the traditions and philosophy of the Sufis to a Western audience for the first time. In the five decades since its release, the book has been translated into dozens of languages, and has found a wide readership in both East and West. It is used as a text in scores of leading universities around the world, and the material contained within it has been applied by psychologists and physicists, by school teachers, lawyers, social workers, and by ordinary members of the public. Ted Hughes wrote of it: 'An astonishing book. The Sufis must be the biggest society of sensible men on earth'; and Nobel laureate Doris Lessing said of it: 'I had waited my entire life to read this book.'

This book is an anthology of the extraordinary diversity of Sufi ideas and activities in many countries and cultures today. Nothing approaching this kind of survey has ever been assembled. In addition to first-hand accounts of Sufi learning methods, subjects covered include the Sufi meeting place, avoiding imitators, Sufi work enterprises, the idea of organic enterprises, entry into a Sufi group, the Sufi adept and the projection of mind, extra-sensory perception, what the Sufis do not want us to know, and more.

Described by the author as a key to the entire corpus of his work, The Commanding Self describes the mixture of primitive and conditioned responses, common to everyone, that inhibits and distorts human progress and understanding. This book is designed to offer a way to transcend the limits imposed by this "commanding self." While complete in itself as an anthology of hitherto unpublished work, the book serves to illustrate and amplify Idries Shah's preceding books on the Sufi Way. Based on tales, lectures, letters, and interviews, it offers both an introduction to Sufi thought and further study for those already acquainted with Shah's writings.

The classical Sufi masters often behaved in dramatic and unexpected ways in marketplaces, palaces, village streets, wherever people assembled. The purpose of these demonstrations was to create an event that people could think about and learn a lesson from. In 1969, Idries Shah, author of over thirty books on Sufi teaching and learning, used modern methods of mass communication to create a teaching-event for the modern world. "The Book of the Book", first published in that year and now in its seventh printing, transmits a 700-year-old narrative on the theme of "do not mistake the container for the content". But it projects this lesson in a highly unconventional way. Reactions to "The Book of the Book" ran the gamut. Some people were infuriated. One "expert" at the British Museum said it was "not a book at all". Others either thought the cover price was too high for a "book that was not a book", or simply bought it for novelty value and kept it on hand to mystify their friends. In time, the pendulum began to swing in the other direction. Readers and reviewers now understand that unlike any other literary product ever published, "The Book of the Book" offers the opportunity to participate in a major Sufi teaching-event ... for the price of a book. Expect the impact of "The Book of the Book" to continue to ripple through the literary marketplace for decades to come.

The collection presents a series of fables, aphorisms, and thought-provoking statements designed to provoke introspection and challenge conventional thinking. Idries Shah's work encourages readers to explore deeper meanings and insights, making it a compact yet impactful resource for personal reflection and growth.

Exploring Sufi thought through diverse perspectives, this collection features essays on topics such as Sufi literature, humor, and cultural communities. It includes insights from experts on the intersections of Sufism with psychiatry, Indian philosophy, and therapeutic practices. Notable contributors like Idries Shah, Doris Lessing, and Dr. Arthur J. Deikman enrich the discourse, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the complexities of Sufi philosophy and its applications across various fields.

The Magic Monastery differs from its predecessors in that it contains not only traditional tales--mostly unpublished--but also stories specially written by Shah to complete the book as 'a course in non-linear thinking.'

Focusing on the adventures of Afghan traveler and writer Idries Shah, this sequel to Darkest England explores his encounters with the 'English tribe.' Through a blend of humor and insight, Shah showcases his anthropological perspective, revealing the fascinating and often amusing aspects of English culture. The narrative offers readers a thought-provoking glimpse into the intricacies of identity and community, making it both entertaining and enlightening.

Exploring the themes of hypocrisy and self-deception, this work delves into the metaphor of the "perfuming of a scorpion" as taught by Sufi master Bahaudin. Idries Shah examines the contrast between surface appearances and underlying truths in psychology, human behavior, and the learning process. By focusing on both the alluring perfume and the hidden scorpion, the book invites readers to reflect on the complexities of self-awareness and the nature of institutions.