Journeys With a Sufi Master

By M. Bashir Dervish, A.W.T. Tiragi, A. L. Griffiths, et al.

Book Overview

Here, Hadrat Dervish describes not only journeys in India, Greece, Yemen and the Gulf, but also covers extraordinary experiences and teachings amongst the real Sufis of today.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0863040411
• ISBN13: 9780863040412
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Ishk Book Service
• Length: 243 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

In this book, the reader is the actual student

B.M Dervish writes a vivid book about the man who was not famous but important in the world of politics, royalty, and philosophy, Idires Shah. Mind you, this is not a book praising the teacher and superficially writing about his great work and deeds he has perfomred throughout the world. This book is about a man studying and practicing the sufi way. Idries Shah is his teacher who guides B.M. Dervish down the right path so that in, in the end of the book, the student is let go to practice on being a teacher in his own right. A book for the person who insterested in the sufi path. This book will help one make his or her own decision whether the sufi way is for them or not. Are Sufis merely members of a secret cult? Are they fakes who pretend to know the way to the truth? Are they men of God truly? Or deceivers of the devil? Read this book and after you finish reading that one, then read books written directly by the teacher himself, Idries Shah

adventure and insight

simply highly recommended. a bit longer than AMONG THE DERVISHES, but these two books are essential. i reread them about every two years. almost anything by OCTAGON PRESS is worth the time and effort.

One Student's Point of View

The title would perhaps be equally accurate if changed to "Experiences of a Sufi Student" because it is based on the author's travels with Idries Shah during the 1970s. A student's viewpoint is refreshing because certain questions that the reader may have arise more naturally in the context of seeing a fellow seeker encounter new experiences and ask his guide about them. On the other hand, readers may feel they are wading through a lot of hagiographic references to Shah's accomplishments. The account of the author's visit to a Zavia (dervish monastery) in Yemen includes some truly astonishing events. The subsequent chapter has equally amazing material on Nuristan, but the "wondrous oil" described by the author therein is simple enough to make and test for oneself -- I found it quite beneficial for healing bruises.

Can a book be a journey?

"SLM" is an Arabic "radix" which can be developed into either the word "journey" or "book". It can also mean "clear away clouds". I would say that this SLM tears back the curtains and allows the seeker backstage to watch with Bashir M. Dervish the antics of Idries Shah with their Sufic effects on the world. The only other book similar to it would be AMONG THE DERVISHES by O. M. Burke. Since Idries Shah died in 1996, the urgency for familiarity with this book becomes greater all the time.

An account of the work of a 20th century Sufi teacher.

The author was allowed to travel with the contemporary Sufi teacher Idries Shah, and this book recounts his observations of Shah's interactions with people in many parts of the world, as well as many details of Sufi teaching. Idries Shah died on November 23, 1996, and this book is one of only a few available which offers biographical information