Attending an interfaith conference recently, Shaykh Nazim, author of this volume, was asked the question by the Orthodox Pope: "Why are troubles increasing in our time?" In his famously pithy manner, Shaykh Nazim replied, "did Satan take a vacation?" Thus in this book, the Master of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi Order focuses on the interference of Satan, the lower self, and negativity in the lives of human beings today and the many remedies available to those who seek spiritual solutions. Utterly pragmatic, Shaykh Nazim does not suffer fools who refuse to do the work of self-realization needed to prevent their lives from sliding down the slippery slope of cynicism and despair into affliction, depression and possibly even self-destruction. Rather he demands they face their problems head on, pick themselves up, reverse self-loathing and self-pity and seek the therapies needed to cure their spiritual-and often related-physical ailments. This book is a veritable toolbox for those seeking to raise the bar of spiritual gamesmanship to pursue not only normalcy but further themselves to attain championship status in the realm of the divine.

Perhaps hundreds of thousands of books can be written on the meanings of one verse of the Holy Qur'an, "Verily We have honored the Children of Adam." What about you? You can sit down and say what is in your heart from heavenly knowledge, or from holy knowledge from our human spirituality. You will never stop writing But however much you take from that knowledge ocean, do you think that ocean diminishes? Never. The importance of human beings before the Almighty Lord must not be underestimated. And that importance is only a grant, not something achieved. However to attain the rights to that grant there are conditions and stipulations that must be kept. Just like an inheritance, if any condition is breached the entire will is discarded. In this book, learn the conditions and stipulations behind the Divine Grant to human beings in order that you too may be a candidate to receive that grant in full.

When they speak most teachers, lecturers, professors and scholars address the minds of their listeners, attempting to provoke new thought patterns, impart fresh information and describe what they know. However the Sufi masters speak "from the heart to the heart." For this reason, rather than falling into a listless torpor after ten minutes, their students are actually energized, for the Shaykh's words address their aspirations, desires and deepest needs with spiritual nourishment. Under the heavenly manifestations that accompany the Shaykh's simple but pithy words, those seeking realities are showered with holy impressions, whose mere touch sets the heart afire with Divine Love. Partake here of one such Sufi saint, who, from his humble abode on the island of Cyprus addresses the hearts and souls of seekers around the world.

About the Book: God said, "We have created everything in pairs." This has to do with reality versus imitation. Our physical form here in this earthly life is only a reflection of our heavenly form. Like plastic fruit and real fruit, one is real, while the other is an imitation. This book looks at the nature of the physical world, the laws governing the universe and from this starting point, jumps into the realm of spiritual knowledge - Sufi teachings which must be "tasted" as opposed to read or spoken. It will serve to open up to the reader the mystical path of saints which takes human beings from the world of forms and senses to the world within the heart, the world of Gnosis and spirituality - a world filled with wonders and blessings. About the Author: Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani is a scholar from the Middle East. He graduated with a B.A. in Chemistry from the American University of Beirut and then went to Louvain, Belgium to continue his medical studies. He later received his Islamic law degree, then went on to study the Sufi spiritual path with two great master of wisdom. Other books by the shaykh include: The Naqshbandi Sufi way, Angels Unveiled, Encyclopedia of Islamic Doctrine (7 volumes), and Women Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (with Dr. L. Bakhtiar). Shaykh Kabbani is the chairman of the Islamic Supreme Council of America, an educational organization based in Michigan.

From the head of the world's largest Sufi order comes another luminous volume of inspiring lectures. This book includes practical steps to find your "true identity" and tune in to your individual spiritual powers, which complete the universal scheme.