Sufism - William Chittick

The Sufi tradition, commonly associated with the Whirling Dervishes and the profoundly beautiful poetry of the great mystic Rumi, is introduced here in this new guide.;William C. Chittick, the leading scholar in this filed, offers a compelling insight into the origins, context, and key themes of this movement. After a general overview of the tradition, he draws upon the words of some of the greatest Sufi writers - among them Ibn Arabi, Baha Walad and Rumi himself - to give a fresh an revealing perspective on the teaching and beliefs of Sufism and its proponents. Areas covered include: the history and growth of Sufism, and its relationship to Islam; the mystical and spiritual properties of music and dance; the beautiful and captivating qualities of Sufi writing, with many examples; the beliefs, practices and philosophies of Sufism as seen through the eyes of several major figures; Sufism in the modern world.;This work should be of interest to anyone interested in Sufism, from those who know nothing about it to students, scholars and experts alike.