The Alchemy of Human Happiness (Mystical Treatises of Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi)

The quest for happiness and fulfilment lies at the very heart of all human life, and in the teaching of one of the world's greatest mystical writers, Ibn 'Arabi, true happiness consists in the vision of One Reality underlying all manifestation. This is a goal within the potential of every person. In this first English translation of a core chapter from the famous Meccan Illuminations (al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya), Ibn 'Arabi comprehensively summarises all his major teachings on human perfectibility and true happiness. Using the imagery of alchemy and ascension, he gives the reader a unique insight into the spiritual journey by contrasting two ways of acquiring knowledge: the rational and the mystical. With an introduction to Islamic alchemy, the Hermetic tradition and the mysterious elixir, this book is an essential text for anyone interested in Sufism, Islamic spirituality or medieval alchemy. Title Page 5 Copyright 6 Contents 7 Abbreviations 9 Acknowledgements 10 The Translation 11 Introduction 14 Chapter 167 within the Futūḥāt 19 Alchemy and the Hermetic Tradition 21 Transmutation into Gold 26 Cosmic Order 28 The Elixir 31 Chapter 167: Contents and Themes 33 The Two Travellers 36 The Private Face (al-wajh al-khāṣṣ) 42 Idrīs, the Prophet of Alchemy and Medicine 43 Translation 57 Part I 59 Part II 73 The 1st Heaven: Adam & the Moon 79 The 2nd Heaven: Jesus, John & Mercury 82 The 3rd Heaven: Joseph & Venus 87 The 4th Heaven: Idrīs & the Sun 90 The 5th Heaven: Aaron & Mars 91 The 6th Heaven: Moses & Jupiter 98 The 7th Heaven: Abraham & Saturn 103 The Lote-Tree 109 The Lunar Mansions 111 The Constellations & Gardens 113 The Footstool & the Supreme Light 118 The Throne & Its Bearers 121 The Universals 123 The Cloud & Beyond 126 The Return 128 Faith & Knowledge 130 Appendix A: The Cycle of Creation according to Ibn ʿArabī 169 Appendix B: Macrocosmic and Microcosmic Correspondences 175 Bibliography 178 Arabic text (begins at the end of the book) 182 In this first English translation by Stephen Hirtenstein, of a core chapter from the famous Meccan Illuminations (al-Futuḥat al-Makkiyya), Ibn 'Arabi comprehensively summarises all his major teachings on human perfectibility and true happiness.