The instinct to pray is as ancient as instinct itself. Our deepest yearnings coalesce and emerge as prayer. Prayer itself has taken on countless forms, from offerings to song, words to whispers, tearful supplication to sublime silence. And so it continues to merge and emerge, at times as primitive and raw as a cry for help, at times, a formulaic equation intended to effect change, - but always, flowing from a place deep within, and forever with a hope for a better future. While attention is paid to the poetry, history, theology and contextual meaning of the prayer text within these pages, the intention of this work is to provide a guide to finding meaning and effecting transformation through our prayer experience. Explore: What happens when we pray, Entering the mind-state of prayer, Incorporating the body into prayer, Understanding our role in prayer, Techniques to enhance and deepen our prayer and make it a transformative experience. In this empowering and inspiring text, Rav Pinson demonstrates how through proper mindset, preparation and dedication, the experience of prayer can be deeply transformative and ultimately, life-altering.

Women have traditionally played a vital part in Islam throughout Central Asia - the vast area from the Caspian Sea to Siberia. With this ground-breaking and original study, Razia Sultanova examines the experiences of Muslim women in the region and the ways in which religion has shaped their daily lives and continues to do so today. 'From Shamanism to Sufism' explores the fundamental interplay between religious belief and the cultural heritage of music and dance and is the first book to focus particularly on the role of women. Based on evidence derived from over fifteen years of field work, 'From Shamanism to Sufism' shows how women kept alive traditional Islamic religious culture in Central Asia, especially through Shamanism and Sufism, even under Soviet rule when all religion was banned. Nowhere was the role of women more important than in the Ferghana Valley in Uzbekistan, the cradle of female Islamic culture and a centre for women's poetry and music. This area is home to the 'Otin-Oy', a sisterhood of religiously educated women and members of Sufi orders, who take a leading part in rituals, marking the pivotal moments in the Islamic calendar and maintaining religious practices through music and ritual dances. Sultanova shows how the practice of Islam in Uzbekistan has evolved over time: long underground, there was a religious resurgence at independence in 1991, boosting national Uzbek identity and nationalism - 500 new mosques were built - only to be followed by a return to persecution by a repressive state under the banner of the 'war against terror'. Now events have come full circle, and once again covert worship by women remains crucial to the survival of traditional Muslim culture. Ritual and music are at the heart of Central Asian and Islamic culture, not only at weddings and funerals but in all aspects of everyday life. Through her in-depth analysis of these facets of cultural life within Central Asian society, 'From Shamanism to Sufism' offers important insights into the lives of the societies in the region. The role of women has often been neglected in studies of religious culture and this book fills an enormous gap, restoring women to their rightful historical and cultural context. It will be essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the History or Religion of Central Asia or in Global Islam.

Many people mistakenly understand meditation as an attempt to clear the mind and transcend the intellect. Really, meditation is meant to refine our intellect, so that we can infuse our day-to-day consciousness with Divine consciousness. Rabbi Ginsburgh presents a meditation that is a prime example of the purpose of Jewish meditation, which is to seek God, as King David says in Psalms, "with all my heart I seek You." The meditation presented in the book is based on the six constant commandments of the Torah. The meditation of Living in Divine Space essentially involves constructing a cube around oneself - a spiritual sanctuary - defined by these six commandments. The interior of the spiritual sanctuary thus built by meditation becomes the Divine Space where we can open our hearts to God in prayer. The object of prayer inside the meditation cube is to transform the meditative state into Divine living and to shift from a state of self-consciousness into one of Divine consciousness.

Achieving a sense of self mastery, and inner freedom, demands that we gain a measure of hegemony over our thoughts. We learn to choose our thoughts so that we are not at the mercy of whatever burps up to the mind. Through quieting the mind and conscious breathing, we can slow the onrush of anxious, scattered thinking and come to a deeper awareness of the interconectedness of all of life. Once mastered, these techniques will carry over into every aspect and facet of our lives, improving our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

The metaphysical scheme known as the Kabbalistic Tree of Life describes the structure and dynamic of Existence. Detailed examples in this book reveal how cosmic laws operate throughout the four interconnected Worlds of Jacob's Ladder. The development and purpose of humanity are seen as part of a vast process that originates in the Divine Realm.

The Origin of Sufism; Self Criticism; Reflection; Privacy & Seclusion; Heart; Hope or Expectation; Asceticism. People follow the Sufi path when they sense that Islam has a deeper dimension. The resulting self-purification leads to this inner dimension of Islamic rituals, a deeper understanding of the Divine acts, and a greater knowledge and love of Him. After this, God draws the novice to Himself. With the help of a spiritual guide, the novice begins the life-long journey back to God. This continual process of spiritual development along a path of the innate human poverty, helplessness, and powerlessness before God is undertaken in the knowledge that everything comes from God. Each novice does what is necessary to grow spiritually, and God bestows the appropriate blessings and stations. The highest aim of creation and its most sublime result is belief in God. The most exalted rank of humanity is knowledge of God. The most radiant happiness and sweetest bounty for jinn and humanity is love of God contained within the knowledge of God; the purest joy for the human spirit and the purest delight for the human heart is spiritual ecstasy contained within the love of God. Indeed, all true happiness, pure joy, sweet bounties, and unclouded pleasure are contained within the knowledge and love of God. And Sufism is the school where people can realise the highest aim of creation. Approximate running time: 360 minutes

What is Sufism? Reaching true belief in Gods Divine Oneness and living in accordance with its demands; Heeding the Divine Speech (the Quran), discerning and then obeying the commands of the Divine Power and will as they relate to the universe (the laws of creation and life); Overflowing with divine Love and getting along with all other beings in the realisation (originating from divine Love) that the universe is a cradle of brotherhood; Giving preference or precedence to the well-being and happiness of others; Being open to love, spiritual places and associating with people who encourage the avoidance of sin and striving in the way of God; Being content with permitted pleasures, and not taking even a single step toward that which is not permitted; Struggling continuously against worldly ambitions and illusions, which lead us to believe that this world is eternal. Approximate running time: 660 minutes

Including a textually long but spiritually endless journey toward insan al-kamil the perfect human this fourth volume approaches Sufism through the middle way, an approach that revives the legacy of the Prophet Muhammad. With an awareness of the social realities of the 21st century, concepts such as tranquility, the truth of divinity, life beyond the physical realm, the preserved tablet, the glorified attributes, and the beautiful names are delicately explained.

The Benefits of Bismillah 'ir-Rahman 'ir-Raheem & Surat al-Fatihah is based on advanced teachings of eminent Islamic scholars and Sufi masters. It details ancient wisdom of God's preference to be known and called upon by His Holy Names Ar-Rahman, The Most Beneficent, and Ar-Raheem, The Most Merciful, and their immense spiritual blessing. In addition, powerful benefits of Surat al-Fatihah, the most read chapter of Holy Quran that is recited in every Muslim prayer, are examined. This book will enhance studies of Islam, Prophet Muhammad, Holy Quran and Islamic mysticism (Sufism).

Volume Two of the spiritual classic by the man who taught John Paul II theology at the Angelicum in Rome

Mufid al-'Ibad, of which this book is a translation, is a summation of all the previous commentaries on the work of Ibn 'Ashir on Ash'ari 'aqida, Maliki fiqh and Junaydi tasawwuf and is augmented not infrequently by the author's own subtle understanding of the finer aspects of the 'amal of the people of Madina. Shaykh Ahmad bin al-Bashir al-Qalawi ash-Shinqiti (1216 AH/1802 CE- 1276 AH/1853 CE), whose lineage can be traced to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, came from a family and tribe in present day Mauritania renowned for its knowledge and active implementation of the deen. Although he himself refrained from any sufic commentary on Ibn Ashir's work, he was recognised as a wali by the men of this science around him. Dr Yate (Cantab.) has translated works from Arabic, Persian, German and French, and, in collaboration with others, from Turkish. He teaches Arabic and Fiqh at the Weimar Institute, is a Founding fellow of The Muslim Faculty of Advanced Studies, and is active on the shariat board of the World Islamic Mint.

An unabridged, unaltered edition to include: The Law of Vibration - Thought Waves - Mental Induction - Mental Concentration - Mental Imaging - Fascination - Hypnotic Influence - Influencing at a Distance - Influencing "En Masse" - The Need of the Knowledge - Magic Black and White - Self-Protection

This early work by Arthur Edward Waite was originally published in 1911 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'The Pictorial Key to the Tarot' is a classic work that details the significance of the various cards in the tarot deck and how to read them. Arthur Edward Waite was born on the 2nd of October, 1857 in America. Waite was a scholarly mystic who wrote extensively on occult and esoteric matters, and was the co-creator of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. As his biographer, R.A. Gilbert described him, "Waite's name has survived because he was the first to attempt a systematic study of the history of western occultism - viewed as a spiritual tradition rather than as aspects of proto-science or as the pathology of religion."

Since their beginnings in the ninth century, the shrines, brotherhoods and doctrines of the Sufis held vast influence in almost every corner of the Muslim world. Offering the first truly global account of the history of Sufism, this illuminating book traces the gradual spread and influence of Sufi Islam through the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and ultimately into Europe and the United States. * An ideal introduction to Sufism, requiring no background knowledge of Islamic history or thought * Offers the first history of Sufism as a global phenomenon, exploring its movement and adaptation from the Middle East, through Asia and Africa, to Europe and the United States of America * Covers the entire historical period of Sufism, from its ninth century origins to the end of the twentieth century * Devotes equal coverage to the political, cultural, and social dimensions of Sufism as it does to its theology and ritual * Dismantles the stereotypes of Sufis as otherworldly 'mystics', by anchoring Sufi Muslims in the real lives of their communities * Features the most up-to-date research on Sufism available

We need a new kind of mystic, writes Fr. Robert Wild; and in The Tumbler of God, he presents a spiritual portrait of G.K. Chesterton that convincingly shows why he is precisely the kind of new mystic we need. Chesterton s mysticism was grounded in an experiential knowledge that existence is a gift from God, and that the only response is a spirituality of gratitude and praise for the unveiled beauty of creation. "What was his secret ? It was to love the splendor of the real, and to live in adulthood the innocence and wonder of the child who sees everything for the first time. The Gospel tells us we must become again like little children in order to enter the kingdom. Chesterton shows us how.

One of the best books I have ever read on Chesterton. --Dale Ahlquist

A book that speaks openly of what is, in the end, the most important thing about him: his friendship with God. --Stratford Caldecott

A ground-breaking examination of G.K. Chesterton. --Mark Sebanc

Robert Wild s fascinating perspective is a welcome addition to the enlivening field of Chestertonian studies. --Chris Chan

An exploration, made with deep and affectionate familiarity with GKC s writings, of what is meant by the word mystic . --Francis Phillips, The Catholic Herald

The Sefer Yetzirah is the fundamental source of the Kabbalah. Numerous editions of the text exist. Each describes the creation of the universe in different ways. The differences relate to the different Kabbalistic Schools that used the text. No edition contains the full knowledge of the different Schools; thus, it is necessary to study the different versions of the Sefer Yetzirah to gain a fuller understanding of the Kabbalah.

The internet has changed every aspect of life in the modern world, providing us with myriad new ways to communicate, work and learn. For a growing number of people it is also transforming the way they practise their religion. In America today, online spaces serve as critical alternatives for tech-savvy Muslims seeking a place to root their faith, forge religious identity, and build communities. With a particular focus on the Inayati Order, a branch of the oldest and most prominent Sufi order in the West, Robert Rozehnal explores the wider trends emerging where digital and religious worlds meet. He examines how the Cyber Sufis are revolutionising internal communication, spiritual pedagogy and public outreach, and looks ahead to the future of digital Islam in the age of Web 3.0. The first introductory roadmap to navigating this new landscape, Cyber Sufis will be a vital resource for students and general readers interested in how the internet is reshaping religious practice in the twenty-first century.

From the premier interpreter of Rumi comes the first definitive one-volume collection of the enduringly popular spiritual poetry by the extraordinary thirteenth-century Sufi mystic.

THE HIERARCHY OF SAINTS is an intermediate level work of Sufi beliefs about the status of saints and specific their roles and duties. Based on evidence in the Quran and Holy Traditions of Prophet Muhammad, and the ancient teachings of masters of the Naqshbandi Sufi Order, four levels of saints are described in detail, along with guidelines to identify such holy souls. This title is recommended for anyone engaged in the study Sufism.

In this groundbreaking work of comparative religion, Algis Uzdavinys takes us deeply into the "closed and blessed gardens of myth," showing us the capital importance of the many varieties of "ascent to heaven." From the Pyramid Texts down to Second Temple Judaism and apocalyptic Christian literature; and, in parallel, down the theurgic path of Platonic and Hermetic literature to the sanctum of the Islamic revelation in Mecca, we are vividly presented with the sacramental impact of anagoge: elevation to the domain of the supernal archetypes and heavenly principles. As with other books by the author, the face of antiquity is revealed anew, full of intriguing, challenging and enraptured insights.

The 'Pistis Sophia' is arguably the most important Gnostic document we possess. Dated as early as the second century AD, this Coptic manuscript was found in Egypt and, until the discovery of the Nag Hammadi Library, constituted the major source of unbiased knowledge on the Gnostic faith. This ancient text relates that Jesus remained in the world for a further eleven years after his resurrection, and taught his disciples the secret doctrine of initiation, in obedience to the Divine Will, which instructed Him to reveal the highest mysteries of salvation to humanity. The book is remarkable for its deeply mystical teaching, its description of the spiritual hierarchies, its belief in reincarnation, and the comprehensive account it gives of the ascent and descent of the human soul. It is an extraordinarily comprehensive body of doctrine and, among a host of other insights, grants us a new perspective on Baptism, the Psalms, the role of women in the church, and the basic teachings of the New Testament.

The Shekinah is the manifestation of the Wisdom Goddess of the Kabbalah, the Old Testament and Merkavah Mysticism. She encompasses the primordial light of creation, the wisdom of the serpent and the inspiration of the dove. She is the beauty of the lily and the embodiment of the Tree of Life. She is also the World soul, heavenly glory, mother of angels, inspiration for prophecy, and source of souls, as well as being the Shabbat Bride and the wife of God. In The Cosmic Shekinah the authors present a concise history of the different influences of earlier wisdom goddesses on the development of the Shekinah. These goddesses include the Sumerian Inanna, the Egyptian Ma'at, the Greco-Egyptian Isis, the Semitic Anat and Astarte and the Canaanite Asherah. They show that from these ancient sources the unnamed Wisdom Goddess and wife of God portrayed in the Old Testament and early Jewish wisdom literature arose. It is this unnamed Wisdom Goddess who would subsequently become the source for the development of the Shekinah as well as the Gnostic Sophia. The influence of the feminine divine as the Shekinah has continued to find expression, with the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit of Christianity and the Sakina of Islam all being shaped by the enduring influence of the Wisdom Goddess. Through tracing her roles, myths and functions the authors show that in addition to her resurgence, the Wisdom Goddess has always been present throughout history, even when she has been suppressed and disguised by deliberate exclusion and mistranslation. Drawing on numerous sources including medieval Kabbalistic works, Hekhalot texts of Merkavah Mysticism, ancient literature such as the Egyptian, Sumerian and Ugaritic myths, the Old Testament, Gnostic texts and recent finds in Biblical archaeology, The Cosmic Shekinah draws attention back to the light of divine feminine wisdom.