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