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Wisdom of the Idiots
Because what narrow thinkers imagine to be wisdom is often seen by the Sufis to be folly, the Sufis sometimes call themselves 'the Idiots.' The stories of these self-styled "idiots" are in fact skillfully designed exercises in which the movements of the characters portray psychological processes. The result is a working blueprint of the mind.
179 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1971
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About the author
Idries Shah
244 books423 followersIdries Shah (Persian: ادریس شاه), also known as Idris Shah, né Sayed Idries el-Hashimi (Arabic: سيد إدريس هاشمي), was an author and teacher in the Sufi tradition who wrote over three dozen critically acclaimed books on topics ranging from psychology and spirituality to travelogues and culture studies.
Born in India, the descendant of a family of Afghan nobles, Shah grew up mainly in England. His early writings centred on magic and witchcraft. In 1960 he established a publishing house, Octagon Press, producing translations of Sufi classics as well as titles of his own. His most seminal work was The Sufis, which appeared in 1964 and was well received internationally. In 1965, Shah founded the Institute for Cultural Research, a London-based educational charity devoted to the study of human behaviour and culture. A similar organisation, the Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge (ISHK), exists in the United States, under the directorship of Stanford University psychology professor Robert Ornstein, whom Shah appointed as his deputy in the U.S.
In his writings, Shah presented Sufism as a universal form of wisdom that predated Islam. Emphasising that Sufism was not static but always adapted itself to the current time, place and people, he framed his teaching in Western psychological terms. Shah made extensive use of traditional teaching stories and parables, texts that contained multiple layers of meaning designed to trigger insight and self-reflection in the reader. He is perhaps best known for his collections of humorous Mulla Nasrudin stories.
Shah was at times criticised by orientalists who questioned his credentials and background. His role in the controversy surrounding a new translation of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, published by his friend Robert Graves and his older brother Omar Ali-Shah, came in for particular scrutiny. However, he also had many notable defenders, chief among them the novelist Doris Lessing. Shah came to be recognised as a spokesman for Sufism in the West and lectured as a visiting professor at a number of Western universities. His works have played a significant part in presenting Sufism as a secular, individualistic form of spiritual wisdom.
Idries Shah's books on Sufism achieved considerable critical acclaim. He was the subject of a BBC documentary ("One Pair of Eyes") in 1969, and two of his works (The Way of the Sufi and Reflections) were chosen as "Outstanding Book of the Year" by the BBC's "The Critics" programme. Among other honours, Shah won six first prizes at the UNESCO World Book Year in 1973, and the Islamic scholar James Kritzeck, commenting on Shah's Tales of the Dervishes, said that it was "beautifully translated".
The reception of Shah's movement was also marked by much controversy. Some orientalists were hostile, in part because Shah presented classical Sufi writings as tools for self-development to be used by contemporary people, rather than as objects of historical study. L. P. Elwell-Sutton from Edinburgh University, Shah's fiercest critic, described his books as "trivial", replete with errors of fact, slovenly and inaccurate translations and even misspellings of Oriental names and words – "a muddle of platitudes, irrelevancies and plain mumbo-jumbo", adding for good measure that Shah had "a remarkable opinion of his own importance". Expressing amusement and amazement at the "sycophantic manner" of Shah's interlocutors in a BBC radio interview, Elwell-Sutton concluded that some Western intellectuals were "so desperate to find answers to the questions that baffle them, that, confronted with wisdom from 'the mysterious East,' they abandon their critical faculties and submit to brainwashing of the crudest kind". To Elwell-Sutton, Shah's Sufism belonged to the realm of "Pseudo-Sufism", "centred not on God but on man."
Doris Lessing, one of Shah's greatest defenders,stated in a 1981 interview: "I found Sufism as taught by Idries Shah, which claim
Born in India, the descendant of a family of Afghan nobles, Shah grew up mainly in England. His early writings centred on magic and witchcraft. In 1960 he established a publishing house, Octagon Press, producing translations of Sufi classics as well as titles of his own. His most seminal work was The Sufis, which appeared in 1964 and was well received internationally. In 1965, Shah founded the Institute for Cultural Research, a London-based educational charity devoted to the study of human behaviour and culture. A similar organisation, the Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge (ISHK), exists in the United States, under the directorship of Stanford University psychology professor Robert Ornstein, whom Shah appointed as his deputy in the U.S.
In his writings, Shah presented Sufism as a universal form of wisdom that predated Islam. Emphasising that Sufism was not static but always adapted itself to the current time, place and people, he framed his teaching in Western psychological terms. Shah made extensive use of traditional teaching stories and parables, texts that contained multiple layers of meaning designed to trigger insight and self-reflection in the reader. He is perhaps best known for his collections of humorous Mulla Nasrudin stories.
Shah was at times criticised by orientalists who questioned his credentials and background. His role in the controversy surrounding a new translation of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, published by his friend Robert Graves and his older brother Omar Ali-Shah, came in for particular scrutiny. However, he also had many notable defenders, chief among them the novelist Doris Lessing. Shah came to be recognised as a spokesman for Sufism in the West and lectured as a visiting professor at a number of Western universities. His works have played a significant part in presenting Sufism as a secular, individualistic form of spiritual wisdom.
Idries Shah's books on Sufism achieved considerable critical acclaim. He was the subject of a BBC documentary ("One Pair of Eyes") in 1969, and two of his works (The Way of the Sufi and Reflections) were chosen as "Outstanding Book of the Year" by the BBC's "The Critics" programme. Among other honours, Shah won six first prizes at the UNESCO World Book Year in 1973, and the Islamic scholar James Kritzeck, commenting on Shah's Tales of the Dervishes, said that it was "beautifully translated".
The reception of Shah's movement was also marked by much controversy. Some orientalists were hostile, in part because Shah presented classical Sufi writings as tools for self-development to be used by contemporary people, rather than as objects of historical study. L. P. Elwell-Sutton from Edinburgh University, Shah's fiercest critic, described his books as "trivial", replete with errors of fact, slovenly and inaccurate translations and even misspellings of Oriental names and words – "a muddle of platitudes, irrelevancies and plain mumbo-jumbo", adding for good measure that Shah had "a remarkable opinion of his own importance". Expressing amusement and amazement at the "sycophantic manner" of Shah's interlocutors in a BBC radio interview, Elwell-Sutton concluded that some Western intellectuals were "so desperate to find answers to the questions that baffle them, that, confronted with wisdom from 'the mysterious East,' they abandon their critical faculties and submit to brainwashing of the crudest kind". To Elwell-Sutton, Shah's Sufism belonged to the realm of "Pseudo-Sufism", "centred not on God but on man."
Doris Lessing, one of Shah's greatest defenders,stated in a 1981 interview: "I found Sufism as taught by Idries Shah, which claim
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
February 28, 2019
DAY AND NIGHT A scholar said to a Sufi: ‘You Sufis often say that our logical questions are incomprehensible to you. Can you give me an example of what they seem like to you?’ The Sufi said: ‘Here is such an example. I was once travelling by train and we went through seven tunnels. Opposite me was sitting a peasant who obviously had never been in a train before. ‘After the seventh tunnel, the peasant tapped me on the knee and said: ‘“ This train is too complicated. On my donkey I can get to my village in only one day. But by train, which seems to be travelling faster than a donkey, we have not yet arrived at my home, though the sun has risen and set seven whole times.”’
Tantalizing & bottomless, Idries Shah’s practical tales of wisdom and folly beg to be reread. They reflect who we are, exercise our minds and help prepare us for greater understanding.
Tantalizing & bottomless, Idries Shah’s practical tales of wisdom and folly beg to be reread. They reflect who we are, exercise our minds and help prepare us for greater understanding.
April 2, 2015
This wonderful book is full of tales and teaching-narratives of the 'Idiots' -- the Sufis. It won an award for Best Book during an international exhibition of Sufi books, part of UNESCO World Book Year. It is difficult to do justice to the volume in a short review: the best thing one can say is, Read this book, it's well worth the effort. It is a compilation of wisdom, instruction, and delight. It unveils gem after gem for the inquirer interested in Sufi learning: 'The Glance of Power,' 'The Book in Turki,' 'Entry into a Sufi Circle,' 'Source of Being,' 'The Golden Fly,' and the exquisite 'Paradise of Song.' And to mention these is but to draw attention to a few facets of a whole. Highly recommended.
June 8, 2014
Sufi tales similar to the koans found in Zen Buddhism.
Refreshing to revisit from time to time and aid you with their insightfulness.
What I especially like is how in this book, as is the case in many other mystical traditions around the world, it's made clear that the true master is ignored and confused for a bum or madman all too often, while the fool and his methods are deemed noble and truthful.
But the wise man and the truth is never obvious, or in the open, but always that encounter which fundamentally shocks your life and becomes a mile stone on your path.
Refreshing to revisit from time to time and aid you with their insightfulness.
What I especially like is how in this book, as is the case in many other mystical traditions around the world, it's made clear that the true master is ignored and confused for a bum or madman all too often, while the fool and his methods are deemed noble and truthful.
But the wise man and the truth is never obvious, or in the open, but always that encounter which fundamentally shocks your life and becomes a mile stone on your path.
December 23, 2020
Un libro que recoje la sabiduría y enseñanza sufi en una serie de relatos cortos o muy cortos.
Un libro para meditar de esta gran filosofía de vida. No se lo pierdan.
Un libro para meditar de esta gran filosofía de vida. No se lo pierdan.
December 16, 2015
Attempting to write a review of this book might be described as an act of odiocy. However, the idiots in this book are the saintly wise, whose familiarity with a parallel world enables them to see things from a different perspective to the one we receive through everyday life. They are people who have met themselves.
‘When you meet yourself,’ Tariquavi tells us, ‘you come into a permanent endowment and bequest of knowledge that is like no other experience on earth.’
Reading this book will not itself make us wise but, through its close-to-a-hundred sayings, fables, teaching stories and tales of historical encounters between the wise and the yet-to-become-wise, we can see what barriers prevent us from meeting our real, deepest selves, and we can gain information and encouragement. It is good to know that, to be wise, we don’t need to have reached the pinnacle of academic achievement.
Jan Fischen Khan confides, ‘Scholars are seldom wise, being only unaltered people stuffed with thoughts and books.’
An astronomer, who wanted to learn wisdom, was turned away by a Sufi teacher because he was already so full of his own knowledge; and Ibn el-Arabi’s circle was composed of beggars, husbandmen and artisans.
It is also good to know that people can become enlightened despite having made mistakes.
We need wisdom before we can develop perception. Otherwise we risk endangering ourselves and others. This enjoyable book with its gentle humour will help us find it.
‘When you meet yourself,’ Tariquavi tells us, ‘you come into a permanent endowment and bequest of knowledge that is like no other experience on earth.’
Reading this book will not itself make us wise but, through its close-to-a-hundred sayings, fables, teaching stories and tales of historical encounters between the wise and the yet-to-become-wise, we can see what barriers prevent us from meeting our real, deepest selves, and we can gain information and encouragement. It is good to know that, to be wise, we don’t need to have reached the pinnacle of academic achievement.
Jan Fischen Khan confides, ‘Scholars are seldom wise, being only unaltered people stuffed with thoughts and books.’
An astronomer, who wanted to learn wisdom, was turned away by a Sufi teacher because he was already so full of his own knowledge; and Ibn el-Arabi’s circle was composed of beggars, husbandmen and artisans.
It is also good to know that people can become enlightened despite having made mistakes.
We need wisdom before we can develop perception. Otherwise we risk endangering ourselves and others. This enjoyable book with its gentle humour will help us find it.
April 2, 2020
Thought provoking, short teaching stories to reflect over and lots of pregnant sentences like:
”when a donkey comes to you, you give him cabbage.” page 133
I like this book very, very much and am grateful that Idries Shah and the Sufis, the so called Idiots, always work to communicate their wisdom to us. The challenge for the reader is to register, process and remember it. These teaching stories that Idries Shah has collected tells about how ordinary people (and kings) have seeked Knowledge through the ages, their not always successful meetings with Sufis, relations between teacher and disciple and the Sufi-view on pompous academicians, always refreshing:
”The Day of calamity will be infinitely nearer when I have influential men and scholars singing my praises; for without any doubt they will be doing so for their own sake and not for the sake of our work!”
Ibn el Arabi page 46
Relevant for our time:
”it is the shielding of people of any category from criticism appropriate to them which is responsible for their downfall ”
from Mahmud and the Dervish page 156 and
”to report half a thing is worse than reporting nothing. To report one-tenth of a thing is equivalent to falsification”
from Finding Fault page 161
”when a donkey comes to you, you give him cabbage.” page 133
I like this book very, very much and am grateful that Idries Shah and the Sufis, the so called Idiots, always work to communicate their wisdom to us. The challenge for the reader is to register, process and remember it. These teaching stories that Idries Shah has collected tells about how ordinary people (and kings) have seeked Knowledge through the ages, their not always successful meetings with Sufis, relations between teacher and disciple and the Sufi-view on pompous academicians, always refreshing:
”The Day of calamity will be infinitely nearer when I have influential men and scholars singing my praises; for without any doubt they will be doing so for their own sake and not for the sake of our work!”
Ibn el Arabi page 46
Relevant for our time:
”it is the shielding of people of any category from criticism appropriate to them which is responsible for their downfall ”
from Mahmud and the Dervish page 156 and
”to report half a thing is worse than reporting nothing. To report one-tenth of a thing is equivalent to falsification”
from Finding Fault page 161
July 20, 2022
Lo terminé en la madrugada. Lo había dejado arrumbado en mi biblioteca; dormía el sueño de los justos y lo resucité.
La sabiduría de los sufís es deliciosa, se basa en las paradojas, las cuales te arrojan a callejones sin salida o escenarios insólitos. Sirven ellaspara meditar. El libro no es útil para enlistarlo como una lectura más sino, como la Biblia, para volver a cogerlo y sobrecogerte ante tu ignorancia y reírte de tu estulticia. ¡Una joya!
La sabiduría de los sufís es deliciosa, se basa en las paradojas, las cuales te arrojan a callejones sin salida o escenarios insólitos. Sirven ellaspara meditar. El libro no es útil para enlistarlo como una lectura más sino, como la Biblia, para volver a cogerlo y sobrecogerte ante tu ignorancia y reírte de tu estulticia. ¡Una joya!
December 27, 2023
A collection of parables and anecdotes from the ‘idiots’, Sufi teachers. These short stories are rich with meaning and enjoyable to read. Many are focused on contrasting the Sufis with the scholars and academics of their day, with the proper attitude one needs to learn, and how pride can prevent development. Very short book, give it a read.
February 26, 2020
Open this book and this is what you see as a note.
'Note:
Because what narrow thinkers imagine to be wisdom is often seen by the Sufis to be folly, the Sufis in contrast sometimes call themselves 'The Idiots'.
By a happy chance, too, the Arabic word for ' Saint' (wali) has the same numerical equivalent as the word for 'Idiot' (balid).
So we have a double motive for regarding the Sufi great ones as our own Idiots.
This book contains some of their knowledge.'
Wisdom of the Idiots has been awarded many prizes, including two gold medals, one for being ‘Best Book’, in conjunction with UNESCO’s World Book Year.
'Note:
Because what narrow thinkers imagine to be wisdom is often seen by the Sufis to be folly, the Sufis in contrast sometimes call themselves 'The Idiots'.
By a happy chance, too, the Arabic word for ' Saint' (wali) has the same numerical equivalent as the word for 'Idiot' (balid).
So we have a double motive for regarding the Sufi great ones as our own Idiots.
This book contains some of their knowledge.'
Wisdom of the Idiots has been awarded many prizes, including two gold medals, one for being ‘Best Book’, in conjunction with UNESCO’s World Book Year.
May 31, 2020
Un libro sobre la sabiduría sufi relatada a través de cuentos, el titulo del libro alude a que para los soberbios e ingnorantes la sabiduría es considerada ser idiota y es una manera paradójica de burlarse de ellos
Por medio de historias cortas intentan mostrar como el orgullo, la ignorancia, la falsedad y la soberbia nos hacen apartarnos de lo que es el conocimiento verdadero y las historias los exhibe
Como en todos cuentos hay unos mejores que otros , pero si logran transmitir de manera clara y amena , asi quieren ayudar a experimentar la existencia a otro nivel de comprensión
Recomendable para conocer lo que este grupo espiritual del islam propone lejos de cualquier yihadismo
Por medio de historias cortas intentan mostrar como el orgullo, la ignorancia, la falsedad y la soberbia nos hacen apartarnos de lo que es el conocimiento verdadero y las historias los exhibe
Como en todos cuentos hay unos mejores que otros , pero si logran transmitir de manera clara y amena , asi quieren ayudar a experimentar la existencia a otro nivel de comprensión
Recomendable para conocer lo que este grupo espiritual del islam propone lejos de cualquier yihadismo
March 6, 2019
The Sufis are sometimes referred to as ‘idiots.’ It's a kind of nickname congenially accepted by their kind, partly because their knowledge makes them behave and speak in ways that seem irrational to the conventionally-minded. This fine book contains numerous stories and anecdotes dating back many hundreds years, demonstrating the above. It’s yet another treasure in the Shah corpus of books whose purpose is partly to entertain, but more so to clear the human mind of clutter and rutted trajectories of thought. Unsurprising that it's garnered so many awards.
April 16, 2019
Title says it all - The intelligence trap, especially as furthered by Western culture, prevents us from seeing beyond, to greater truths. Through its stories and tales, this book helps, even if that knowledge may seem like that of 'idiots'.
August 24, 2020
Wisdom of the Idiots is a collection of stories and anecdotes that illustrate how Sufis interact with the world.
This was the first of Idries Shah’s books that I read, and I was attracted to it by its title. At the time I was seeking “wisdom” and the juxtaposition of “wisdom” with “idiots” grabbed by attention. I was not prepared for the wisdom this book contains.
The word “idiots” refers to Sufis, and describes the way Sufis and their activity are perceived by the common person.
In story after story you will find events unfolding in a counterintuitive way. The events are counterintuitive because so many of us have entrenched expectations about proper behavior and consequences. Part of the teaching value of this book lies in its ability to show us our unsuspected biases, and to show that our understanding of cause and effect is often superficial and mistaken.
These stories provoke reactions in the reader. As you read them, you may experience anger, outrage, disgust, surprise, or simply confusion. You may reject some of the stories as contrived or absurd. Subjective reactions to the stories are an important part of the teaching value of this book. It is up to the reader to observe these reactions and to consider why they occur.
I have read this book several times. My own reactions to the stories change as I contemplate the situations described, note more details, and consider the story from different points of view. Each time I read one of its stories, I realize that my former interpretations did not exhaust the story’s lessons.
There truly is wisdom in this book, but it is not free. Readers will have to work on themselves to obtain everything this book has to offer.
This was the first of Idries Shah’s books that I read, and I was attracted to it by its title. At the time I was seeking “wisdom” and the juxtaposition of “wisdom” with “idiots” grabbed by attention. I was not prepared for the wisdom this book contains.
The word “idiots” refers to Sufis, and describes the way Sufis and their activity are perceived by the common person.
In story after story you will find events unfolding in a counterintuitive way. The events are counterintuitive because so many of us have entrenched expectations about proper behavior and consequences. Part of the teaching value of this book lies in its ability to show us our unsuspected biases, and to show that our understanding of cause and effect is often superficial and mistaken.
These stories provoke reactions in the reader. As you read them, you may experience anger, outrage, disgust, surprise, or simply confusion. You may reject some of the stories as contrived or absurd. Subjective reactions to the stories are an important part of the teaching value of this book. It is up to the reader to observe these reactions and to consider why they occur.
I have read this book several times. My own reactions to the stories change as I contemplate the situations described, note more details, and consider the story from different points of view. Each time I read one of its stories, I realize that my former interpretations did not exhaust the story’s lessons.
There truly is wisdom in this book, but it is not free. Readers will have to work on themselves to obtain everything this book has to offer.
September 12, 2017
This is a book of short stories, marvellously written. They are object lessons in how to write concisely, clearly, delightfully. They tend to be so well crafted and of such a length that you can hold them in your mind and turn them like jewels. I will quote one:
The Sufi poet Hafiz of Shiraz wrote the famous poem:
If that Sharazi Turkish maid would take my heart
Into her hand:
I’d give Bokhara for the mole upon her cheek—
Or Samarkand.
The conqueror Tamerlane had Hafiz brought before him and said:
‘How can you give away Bokhara and Samarkand for a woman? Besides, they are in my own domains, and I shall not permit anyone to pretend that they are not!’
Hafiz said to him:
‘Your meanness may have given you power. My generosity has put me in your power. Your meanness is obviously more effective than my prodigality.’
Tamerlane laughed and let the Sufi go.
The Sufi poet Hafiz of Shiraz wrote the famous poem:
If that Sharazi Turkish maid would take my heart
Into her hand:
I’d give Bokhara for the mole upon her cheek—
Or Samarkand.
The conqueror Tamerlane had Hafiz brought before him and said:
‘How can you give away Bokhara and Samarkand for a woman? Besides, they are in my own domains, and I shall not permit anyone to pretend that they are not!’
Hafiz said to him:
‘Your meanness may have given you power. My generosity has put me in your power. Your meanness is obviously more effective than my prodigality.’
Tamerlane laughed and let the Sufi go.
February 4, 2025
"Why Idiots? Because their wisdom penetrates to a depth which renders it inaccesible to the merely intelligent or Academically knowledgeable."
The 141 stories in this incredibly rich book never cease to tire a reader because they draw attention to so many subjects that, in fact, one revisites them quite often for their deep inner content and the masterly way in which they have been written.
This is my fourth reading of this valuable book, such is thee impact the stories have made on me that I go back to them individually as often as I can; I do not mention which stories I value more because each reader needs to find his/her way of appreciating the importance of these stories.
The 141 stories in this incredibly rich book never cease to tire a reader because they draw attention to so many subjects that, in fact, one revisites them quite often for their deep inner content and the masterly way in which they have been written.
This is my fourth reading of this valuable book, such is thee impact the stories have made on me that I go back to them individually as often as I can; I do not mention which stories I value more because each reader needs to find his/her way of appreciating the importance of these stories.
April 11, 2019
From the author's note: "Because what narrow thinkers imagine to be wisdom is often seen by the Sufis to be folly, the Sufis in contrast sometimes call themselves 'The Idiots'..."
This is another collection of teaching stories which have traditionally been used as specialized teaching instruments as well as entertainment; prepared and presented for the contemporary seeker after wisdom. Like Shah's other works, it repays careful attention and repeated reading.
This is another collection of teaching stories which have traditionally been used as specialized teaching instruments as well as entertainment; prepared and presented for the contemporary seeker after wisdom. Like Shah's other works, it repays careful attention and repeated reading.
Read
July 29, 2019Livre précieux de la Dimostrazione sur les soufis, les «disciples de l'expérience».
July 16, 2020
Pearls of wisdom
August 3, 2020
A great little collection of Sufi parables!
December 6, 2020
This is an awesome read. Lots wisdom
Read
March 7, 2021M-am oprit la 66%, nu m-am simtit in stare sa termin.
June 27, 2022
Maybe I’m not enlightened enough to appreciate this book. There were some narratives that I found witty and poignant but there were many that I found too cryptic.
April 6, 2023
Pseudo profound horseshittery. You'd get more insight reading the box the fortune cookie came in.
April 23, 2023
Meh. It was good bedside reading just to relax and get my brain to shut down.
August 24, 2023
A fine collection of Sufi stories, intended to be regarded as tools for unlocking their wisdom. Very awesome, and humorous too!
August 18, 2024
The Wisdom of the Idiots seems more set on being indestructible rather than being inspiring. Still, I found some nuggets of wisdom in here!
September 29, 2024
Ts was so dumb I love it
May 4, 2025
A quick, quirky and enjoyable read.
January 2, 2021
This is a reprint of a 1969 book, collecting together almost 100 stories (or parables) based on Sufi (Islamic mysticism) traditions. The author was a well known proponent of Sufism and his series of books have had sales of several millions.
This is one of the most accessible of the author’s books, as it is just a set of stories which readers can take as they find them. The stories range from simple truisms to bizarre scenarios, often reversing stereotypes with unexpected twists.
The purpose of the stories is to make the reader think. They are underpinned by Sufi assumptions of what is right and wrong, but the stories are thought provoking on multiple different levels.
For example, the second story, ‘Haughty and Generous’ tells us about 3 people who are thought to be generous. They are tested by someone asking each for assistance. Each responds in a generous way, which implies maximal generosity until the next responds even more generously. Finally, the third person not only gives all his property away but he also sells himself into slavery for several years, so that he can be even more generous.
The story raises questions about generosity and about assumptions, especially jumping to conclusions before you have all the information. But it also raises questions at a different level within a modern society, when we ask whether it is really appropriate to be so maximally generous as to sell yourself into slavery. Leaving aside the issue of the morality of slavery, what of the person’s family commitments? It may seem excellent to give everything away, including selling yourself into slavery; but that means a person cannot fulfil their own responsibilities. Is it possible to be so generous that you actually end up acting morally wrongly?
These kinds of questions are not posed directly by the story, but they are the kinds of issues which can be teased out as additional levels of reflection upon the story.
The stories in this collection are ideal for personal meditation or for group discussions. They are so short that each story can be read within a few minutes, and the simplicity of the format means that they work well with both children and adults.
They wont be everyone’s ‘cup of tea,’ as the stories raise as many questions as they try to answer. But if you like thinking then this is a book which will certainly prompt thoughts.
This is one of the most accessible of the author’s books, as it is just a set of stories which readers can take as they find them. The stories range from simple truisms to bizarre scenarios, often reversing stereotypes with unexpected twists.
The purpose of the stories is to make the reader think. They are underpinned by Sufi assumptions of what is right and wrong, but the stories are thought provoking on multiple different levels.
For example, the second story, ‘Haughty and Generous’ tells us about 3 people who are thought to be generous. They are tested by someone asking each for assistance. Each responds in a generous way, which implies maximal generosity until the next responds even more generously. Finally, the third person not only gives all his property away but he also sells himself into slavery for several years, so that he can be even more generous.
The story raises questions about generosity and about assumptions, especially jumping to conclusions before you have all the information. But it also raises questions at a different level within a modern society, when we ask whether it is really appropriate to be so maximally generous as to sell yourself into slavery. Leaving aside the issue of the morality of slavery, what of the person’s family commitments? It may seem excellent to give everything away, including selling yourself into slavery; but that means a person cannot fulfil their own responsibilities. Is it possible to be so generous that you actually end up acting morally wrongly?
These kinds of questions are not posed directly by the story, but they are the kinds of issues which can be teased out as additional levels of reflection upon the story.
The stories in this collection are ideal for personal meditation or for group discussions. They are so short that each story can be read within a few minutes, and the simplicity of the format means that they work well with both children and adults.
They wont be everyone’s ‘cup of tea,’ as the stories raise as many questions as they try to answer. But if you like thinking then this is a book which will certainly prompt thoughts.
November 14, 2015
Buku karya Idries Shah sudah diterjemahkan ke dalam bahasa Indonesia oleh Penerbit Syafaat - Surabaya pada tahun 2004, dengan no ISBN 979-556-149-9
dan halamannya mencapai 308 halaman
Buku ini merupakan kumpulan cerita tentang kearifan para sufi. Kaum sufi sering digambarkan sebagai orang yang penalarannya sederhana, alamiah dan terkadang secara sepintas tidak logis sehingga terkesan seperti orang idiot (dungu). Padahal ketika dirunut lebih dalam, penalaran mereka seringkali sangat logis dan melampaui pemikiran orang awam.
Membaca buku cerita ini membutuhkan perenungan untuk memahami makna di dalamnya, sehingga seringkali tidak bisa sekali kunyah langsung ditelan artinya. Namun dibalik kesulitan memahami makna-makna didalamnya, kita akan bisa menemukan hikmah-hikmah pembelajaran kehidupan yang sangat berguna.
dan halamannya mencapai 308 halaman
Buku ini merupakan kumpulan cerita tentang kearifan para sufi. Kaum sufi sering digambarkan sebagai orang yang penalarannya sederhana, alamiah dan terkadang secara sepintas tidak logis sehingga terkesan seperti orang idiot (dungu). Padahal ketika dirunut lebih dalam, penalaran mereka seringkali sangat logis dan melampaui pemikiran orang awam.
Membaca buku cerita ini membutuhkan perenungan untuk memahami makna di dalamnya, sehingga seringkali tidak bisa sekali kunyah langsung ditelan artinya. Namun dibalik kesulitan memahami makna-makna didalamnya, kita akan bisa menemukan hikmah-hikmah pembelajaran kehidupan yang sangat berguna.
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