The Sufi Book of Life: 99 Pathways of the Heart for the Modern Dervish

By Neil Douglas-Klotz

A dervish guide to life and love for the twenty-first century

Part meditation book, part oracle, and part collection of Sufi lore, poetry, and stories, this handbook offers a fresh interpretation of the fundamental spiritual practice found in all ancient and modern Sufi schools--the meditations on the 99 Qualities of Unity.

Unlike most books on Sufism, which are primarily collections of translated Sufi texts, The Sufi Book of Life explains how to apply Sufi principles to modern life. Author Neil Douglas-Klotz expertly bridges the gap between the Sufi qualities and contemporary concerns such as love, work, and success, and punctuates this all with timeless wisdom from Sufi masters, both ancient and modern, such as Rumi, Hafiz, Shabistari, Rabia, Inayat Khan, Indries Shah, Irina Tweedie, Bawa Muhaiyadden, and more.

On the web: http: //sufibookoflife.com

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B000CDG83I
• ISBN13: 9780142196359
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

I'd almost call it magic

This book is very inspiring and comforting. Ever see the movie "MirrorMask"? This is the RL equivilant of "A very useful book" at least as far as spiritual/mystic questors go. But its not a key to bending spoons, or casting curses, or trying to figure out lottery numbers. It's a key to finding peace with yourself and the universe and god, infinitely more powerful and valuble.

Inspiring, accessible, and very usable spiritual information

The information for each pathway is only a few pages long (so you can read a short section with coffee in the morning), but it is packed with wonderful insights, inspiration, and most importantly ways to really use the information. Each pathway has a suggested meditation and ideas for integrating the concept into your life. Wonderful book!

Accessible Interpretations of the 99 Aspects of the Divine

This is a fine and accessible review of the 99 aspects traditionally attributed by Moslems to Allah (God). It is written by an American with many years of study and involvement in the Sufi and Islamic traditions (among others areas of expertise). His interpretations are insightful, and although many liberties have been taken, they convey the more positive aspects of each name (wazifa). He offers the more tradition associations for each name as well, and this is a helpful contrast. Meditations on each name will be useful for some. Overall an excellent reference and useful for personal insight, wazifa work, innerwork, and as a reference. Recommended.

A Treasure

Superb little book, very inspiring, an initiation in itself. A must for students of Sufism and world religions, and would enhance depth and richness of spiritual experience for any reader. Too bad this book is printed on fragile newsprint as regular paper would have a longer life, but the other side to that coin is that it shows starkly the transitoriness of worldly life.

inspiring

I have found using the book as part of my daily spiritual practice very inspiring.