The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi (Suny Series in Islamic Spirituality)

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 Rumi's work. He selects and rearranges Rumi's poetry and prose in order to leave aside unnecessary complications characteristic of other English translations and to present Rumi's ideas in an orderly fashion, yet in his own words . Thorough, nontechnical 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 realization of Rumi's thinking...I can think of no better way for a Westerner, and nowadays for a Westernized 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 Rumi's fundamental notions through Rumi's own words. No one else has done this with the thoroughness and meticulousness shown by Chittick." -- Victor Danner, Indiana University. 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 Rumi's Work. He Selects And Rearranges Rumi's Poetry And Prose In Order To Leave Aside Unnecessary Complications Characteristic Of Other English Translations And To Present Rumi's Ideas In An Orderly Fashion, Yet In His Own Words. Thorough, Nontechnical 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. Introduction -- Part 1: Theory -- Seeing Things As They Are -- God And The World -- Man -- Part 2: Practice -- Doubters And Deniers -- The Prophets And Saints -- The Discipline Of The Way -- Attainment To God -- Naughting The Self -- Love -- Separation And Union -- Imagination And Thought -- Poesy And Imagery -- The Garden Of Spring -- The Heart-ravishing Beloved -- Winedrinking And Revelry -- The Beloved's Beloved. [translated By] William C. Chittick. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 375-377) And Indexes. Introduction Part 1: Theory Seeing things as they are Spirit, Heart, and Intellect God and the world Man Part 2: Practice Doubters and deniers The prophets and saints The discipline of the way Attainment to God Naughting the self Love Separation and union Imagination and thought Poesy and imagery The garden of spring The heart-ravishing beloved Winedrinking and revelry The beloved's beloved.