Product Description

The long-awaited work on the principles of Sufism and self-transformation by the beloved Sufi master Pir Vilayat.

For readers encountering Sufism for the first time, Awakening is the perfect companion and introduction to the way of the dervishes--as well as a doorway to a direct experience of the Divine.

"This book, drawing on the wisdom of an 83-year-old Sufi master, defines awakening and offers a clear map for the journey." --Personal Transformation magazine

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #331009 in Books
• Published on: 2000-07-10
• Released on: 2000-06-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Amazon.com Review
The retreat looms large in the spiritual universe of Sufi master Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan. Away from mundane concerns, the retreatant takes steps to see through the eyes of God, or in Inayat Khan's words, "to think like the Universe." Inayat Khan's synthesis of Indian and Islamic mysticism creates an attractive and palatable spiritual program, couched in the modern language of the new spirituality--Jungian archetypes, Cosmic Christ, spectrum of consciousness, Being of light. Through human beings, Inayat Khan says, the universe itself is alive, and as human beings, we can participate actively in the evolution of the universe. Awakening is a handbook for revisioning God as the universe and transforming our own consciousness. Collected from transcripts of his retreat talks, Awakening guides the reader beyond the self through meditative practices, visualization, whirling, and dhikr, the traditional Sufi ritual of remembrance for inviting the Divine Presence into the heart. At the same time, Pir Vilayat insists that we be awakened in life by loosening the ties of conditioning, challenging deep-seated assumptions, and living a life of simplicity and service. Although its roots are in age-old traditions, Awakening is at the cutting edge of mysticism. --Brian Bruya

From Publishers Weekly
Khan, the head of the Sufi Order since 1956, opens his beautiful little book with a parable. Imagine, he says, you are a visitor from the far reaches of the universe and you have just landed on Earth. Whatever your reasons for coming to this planet, you assume the physical appearance of Earth's creatures and become adapted to its ways of life. Eventually, you suffer some kind of major upheaval. Feeling restless and uneasy, you begin to ask questions about the nature of reality, the source of creation and the beauty and mystery of the world. Suddenly, after years of searching, you remember your previous existence and you are awakened to your cosmic self and your oneness with the universe. Such a story, he notes, describes perfectly the essence of Sufism: "the story of every soul's descent into existence, its experiences of suffering brought about by separation from its original state of being, and the subsequent journey of return and reawakening to its Divine nature." Khan contends that "awakening beyond lifeAexperiencing a spectrum of altered states of consciousnessAis followed by that of awakening in life." In conversational fashion, Khan explores the stages of this awakening. He advocates a withdrawal from the world as a way of opening oneself to the dimensions of the inner world. Khan then explores how the great religious teachers Zoroaster, Muhammad, Christ, Buddha, Shiva, Abraham and Melchizedek realized these dimensions and urges seekers to follow their examples. Finally, he suggests that we can create heaven on earth through the awakening of the Divine Conscience and giving birth to a "spiritual value system that ensures a more conscious, compassionate, and beautiful future for all humankind." Khan's rich book serves as an introduction to Sufism as well as a guide to its practice. (Aug.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Inayat Khan, son and successor of the founder of the Sufi Order in the West, exemplifies the broadened and slightly diluted modern practice of Sufism. Like a number of non-Islamic adherents to Sufism, he embraces the idea that Sufism can be understood as the inner experience of all religions, and Jesus, Moses, and Muhammad all make appearances here. Curious readers will be especially pleased by the later sections, which focus on entering the consciousness of the "dervish." Sufism is not well served by sources in English, and this will be a valuable resource for many readers. For larger collections.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Mystical teaching grounded in everyday responsibility
Based on my own experience, I can't say enough to encourage others to seek out retreat experiences. But for those who cannot carve out the time, this fine book comes as near to the real thing as I've seen. Pythia Peay's transcription and editing of retreat sessions by Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan allows the reader to participate in the "process of inner unveiling" (ix) and awakening at the heart of this very readable and ecumenical book. With a gentle insistence on the development of conscience ("awakening in life") as a result of "awakening beyond life", Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan provides an antidote to mystified notions of spirituality and the disengagement often associated with conventional religious enthusiasm. Here are some of Pir Vilayat's own words from a book filled with authentic wisdom: "Though the mystical encounter goes deeper than words can convey, tangible traces of it can be seen in the actions we take, the values we uphold, and the ideals we strive for. In effect, what I am trying to say is that the illumination of consciousness leads inevitably to the awakening of conscience. This enables us to fulfill the purpose of our lives and actualize the unfurling of the potentialities of our beings.... there is no limit to the responsibility we bear toward others. (page 196)

Take Time To Heal
When "The Awakening" arrived, it took me 2 weeks before I sat down and turned to page one. I tried to scan through like a "good" student, but somehow this book is not a typical Sufi book that teaches you through steps without wisdom. You have to be "awaken" or to "have died before death", in order to embrace every word, and comprehend the underlying structures and words chosen to convey the message therein. I would recommend "The Awakening" only to serious seekers. If you are a self-labelled religionist {Muslim, Jew, or Christian} and a staunch one at that you might find yourself against a brick wall.

"The Awakening" is a book that teaches you to take the time to heal your heart, in the wake, will then open you to your "Reality". The religion of the heart is most important here. If you're devoid of that, taking the path written therein can be an awesome task. "The Awakening" is one of the best Sufi manual I've read and understood without recoursing to references. A must-have in your collection, if you're seriously contemplating returning "home" sanely.

Change
I don't know what else to add to what has already been said, but one thing which I must say is that this book changed my life. If you are looking for a bit of help in trying to get inside yourself and then to look at the world through a greater perspective, read this book.