"First published by the Octagon Press, London, 1978" -- T.p. verso
内容説明・目次
内容説明
This is a collection of stories, interviews by Shah and miscellaneous thoughts - all on Sufism. The book provides an introduction to a way of thinking that has inspired men and women all over the world.
目次
Part 1 Real and imagined study: Sufis and their imitators
attaining knowledge
secrets and the Sufis
when to have meetings
the ceiling
conflicting texts
self-deception
journeys to the east
what a Sufi teacher looks like
books and beyond books
saintliness
secrecy
"You Can't Teach by Correspondence"
background to "Humility"
how serious is the student?
social and psychological elements in Sufi study. Part 2 On attention: characteristics of attention and observation
operation of the attention factor
motivation of transactions
attention under personal control
excess and deprivation of attention
study of people and ideas apart from their attention value
identification of underlying factors
raising the emotional pitch
fossil indicators. Part 3 Sufi study themes: assumptions behind actions
exercising power through kindness
copying virtue
finding a teacher
what is gained from repetition
robes and apparatus of the Sufi
why you are asked to help
laziness. Part 4 Things of the world: an eastern sage and the newspapers
basis for people's interest
thinking in terms of supply-and-demand
the effect of tales and narratives
stories of the miraculous
continuous versus effective activity
capacity comes before opinion
sanctified greed
psychic idiots
when criticism can stop
information and experience
the teaching is a matter of conduct
knowing one's own sincerity
the would-be and should-be people
satisfactions and purpose of ritual
real and ostensible self-improvement
roles of teacher and student. Part 5 Action and meaning: real and relative generosity
why do Sufis excel?
confusion as a personal problem
being a "Guru"
systems
the vehicle and the objective
concern and campaign
use, misuse and disuse of forms of study
potentiality and function
conditioning and education
the search for an honest man
how can one method be as good as another?. Part 6 Twenty-three study points: a viable unit
being supported
being physically present
intensely standardised
organisations and greed
generosity as a greed
what you do for yourself
graduating to a higher morality
concluding that we are worthless
that which attracts you about us...
giving and withholding
and external assessment
standing between you and knowledge
direct contact with a source of knowledge
latent knowledge
provoking capacity
systematic study
consistency and system
illumination and information
habit of judging
higher-level work
games and annoyance
aspirations and acquisition
opinion and fact. Part 7 Overall study: learning and non-learning