Recognizing Sufism: Contemplation in the Islamic Tradition - Tapa dura

'All too often students complain, after reading an introduction to Sufism, that they have learned about historical developments and some major Sufi figures and yet still know very little about what it truly means to be a seeker on the Sufi path. Arthur F Buehler s new introduction offers astute guidance for the reader embarking on a study of Islam s major contemplative tradition. The author combines an academic background in Sufi Studies with many years of exposure to Sufi circles. The evident benefit of such a combination is a deeper understanding of Sufi practice than is commonly to be found in introductory works. The geographical coverage is impressive, ranging from Indonesia to Pakistan, Turkey to Senegal. The author presents an unusual amount of contemporary observation of Sufi shaykhs and seekers and recounts his own remarkable personal experience. It is an alchemy that will be enjoyed by students and generalists alike.' --- Elizabeth Sirriyeh, Senior Lecturer Emerita in Islamic Studies, University of Leeds, author of Sufis and Anti-Sufis: The Defence, Rethinking and Rejection of Sufism in the Modern World and of Dreams and Visions in the World of Islam: A History of Muslim

Sufism is all too often associated just with 'mysticism' in the West. The author of this new textbook, a former pupil of Annemarie Schimmel, suggests that conflating Sufism and mysticism is only partially valid. He shows that the vast majority of Sufi practice, both historically and in the contemporary world, has little or nothing to do with a esoteric transcendence but is rather focused on contemplative activity. Such practice might involve art, music, devotional shrine visitation - even politics and psychology. Placing Sufism in a wider Islamic contemplative context enables Arthur F Buehler to examine Sufi history, as well as current application, against a backdrop that is richer and more inclusive than that portrayed in many competing introductory surveys. Discussing the origins of Sufism; the development of Sufi lineages (via three founder figures); Sufi lodges and the role of Sufism in colonial resistance; Sufi poetry; Sufi shrines, and Sufism in the West, the author rescues his topic from the idea that it means only union with the divine. In this original new treatment, Sufism emerges as complex and multi-layered.