Sufism : an introduction to the mystical tradition of Islam / Carl W. Ernst.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ernst, Carl W., 1950-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Sufism.

Mysticism--Islam.

Mysticism.

Physical Description:

xxiii, 263 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Boston, Mass. ; London : Shambhala, 2011.

Summary:

The Sufis are as diverse as the countries in which they've flourished - from Morocco to India to China - and as varied as their distinctive forms of art, music, poetry, and dance. They are said to represent the mystical heart of Islam, yet the term Sufism is notoriously difficult to define, as it means different things to different people both within and outside the tradition. With that fact in mind, Carl Ernst explores the broadest range of Sufi philosophies and practices to provide one of the most complete and comprehensive introductions to Sufism available in English. He traces the history of the movement from the earliest days of Islam to the present day, along the way examining its relationship to the larger world of Islam and its encounters with both fundamentalism and secularism in the modern world. Book jacket.

Contents:

List of figures

Preface to the 2011 edition

Preface to the first edition

1. What is Sufism?

2. The sacred sources of Sufism

3. Saints and sainthood

4. The names of God, meditation, and mystical experience

5. The Sufi orders: mastery, discipleship, and initiation

6. Sufi poetry

7. Sufi music and dance

8. Sufism in the contemporary world

Notes

Select bibliography

Select discography

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781590308844

1590308840

OCLC:

642843259

Publisher Number:

99943441464