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The Sufi Book of Life: 99 Pathways of the Heart for the Modern Dervish by Neil Douglas-Klotz
katrinadalythompson's review against another edition
5.0
I started reading this back in June, in the way the author recommends, which is to just randomly open the book and read about one of the 99 names of God. Each chapter/name includes a mystical interpretation of the name, a little story or commentary on how that quality/name may play a role in our lives, a commentary on the linguistic roots of the name that relates it to Aramaic and Hebrew (showing connections between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism), and then a short meditation one can do using the name to invoke this quality. Easy to read, the book presents Sufism in a way accessible to everyone, not just Muslims. After a while I decided I wanted to understand the names better and started reading them one by one in order rather than randomly, reading one per day. Now that I've done that I may go back to the author's suggestion and open randomly in order to find a short meditative practice for that day.
teelight's review
4.0
I've gone through three editions of this book because I keep sharing it with friends. This book is an excellent introduction to Sufism. The use of the divine names, Mullah Nasruddin stories, and meditations are all done well. The book is deep enough to get me thinking, without being so in depth that I get exhausted just looking at it. I keep a copy with me to just open up at random and see what wisdom there might be for the day. There's something in it for dervishes just starting on the path, and dervishes that have been on the path for awhile.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review
5.0
When you read on a book for four months, you know that something good is there.
If you are anything like me, you probably know nothing about Sufism. Perhaps you have heard of dervishes, but see them as some sort of odd practitioner.
Look again.
Let's let the author define it for us: "Sufism, is, first of all, a series of 'not's'---not a religion, not a philosophy, not even a mysticism....It's best to call Sufism a way of experiencing reality as love itself."
The book is a series of short essays illustrated by short stories or poems. The essays are wise and thoughtful and can be read over and over for more and more wisdom and thoughtfulness.
I'm very happy I received and read this book. I will keep it and read on it again from time to time.
If you are anything like me, you probably know nothing about Sufism. Perhaps you have heard of dervishes, but see them as some sort of odd practitioner.
Look again.
Let's let the author define it for us: "Sufism, is, first of all, a series of 'not's'---not a religion, not a philosophy, not even a mysticism....It's best to call Sufism a way of experiencing reality as love itself."
The book is a series of short essays illustrated by short stories or poems. The essays are wise and thoughtful and can be read over and over for more and more wisdom and thoughtfulness.
I'm very happy I received and read this book. I will keep it and read on it again from time to time.
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