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The Knowing Heart: A Sufi Path of Transformation
An engaging study of Sufi teachings that presents the Sufi way as a universal means of gaining a greater understanding of ourselves, others, and the world
In Sufi teaching the human heart is not a fanciful metaphor but an objective organ of intuition and perception. It perceives all that is beautiful, lovely, and meaningful in life—and reflects these spiritual qualities in the world, for the benefit of others. Every human heart has the capacity and the destiny to bring that world of divine reality into this world of appearances.
The Sufis, mystics of Islam, have been educators of the heart for some fourteen centuries. Their teachings and methods are designed to help us awaken and purify the heart, to learn to listen to our deepest knowing. In The Knowing Heart , Kabir Helminski presents the Sufi way as a practical spirituality suitable for all cultures and times—and offers insights that are especially valuable for our life in today’s world. In cultivating a knowing heart, we learn to experience a new sense of self, transform our relationships, and enhance our creative capacities. Most important, we learn how to meet the spiritual challenge of our time: to realize our sacred humanness.
In Sufi teaching the human heart is not a fanciful metaphor but an objective organ of intuition and perception. It perceives all that is beautiful, lovely, and meaningful in life—and reflects these spiritual qualities in the world, for the benefit of others. Every human heart has the capacity and the destiny to bring that world of divine reality into this world of appearances.
The Sufis, mystics of Islam, have been educators of the heart for some fourteen centuries. Their teachings and methods are designed to help us awaken and purify the heart, to learn to listen to our deepest knowing. In The Knowing Heart , Kabir Helminski presents the Sufi way as a practical spirituality suitable for all cultures and times—and offers insights that are especially valuable for our life in today’s world. In cultivating a knowing heart, we learn to experience a new sense of self, transform our relationships, and enhance our creative capacities. Most important, we learn how to meet the spiritual challenge of our time: to realize our sacred humanness.
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 1999
65 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
Kabir Helminski
37 books68 followersKabir Helminski is codirector, with his wife, Camille Helminski, of the Threshold Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing the knowledge and practice of Sufism. He is the author of Living Presence and the translator of four volumes of Rumi's poetry.
Helminski has been named as one of the "500 Most Influential Muslims in the World" by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center.
Helminski is a teacher and advisor with The Spiritual Paths Institute, a group of contemplative teachers from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Native American, and Hindu traditions offering programs in applied inter-spirituality.
Helminski has been named as one of the "500 Most Influential Muslims in the World" by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center.
Helminski is a teacher and advisor with The Spiritual Paths Institute, a group of contemplative teachers from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Native American, and Hindu traditions offering programs in applied inter-spirituality.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 4, 2015
A beautiful gem of a book that opens the soul and the mind. Any spiritual reader, especially those who love Sufism and Rumi, will find reading it time well spent!
July 17, 2015
Absolutely excellent. Erudite, modern and beautiful - this book clears up some fundamental misunderstandings about what Sufism is and isn't and how it relates to Islam. This book not only has a richness in spiritual insight, it has a richness in atmosphere; out of nowhere you find yourself immersed in the texture of Sufi practice. However, this is by no means an instruction manual on how to be a Sufi, even though there are practices explained within that will be of benefit to everyone. While demonstrating that genuine mystical experience is not confined to one religion, it shows how Sufism is fundamentally couched in Islam. It also explains the benefits and struggles of the Sufi path. I am not a Muslim, but this book genuinely touched me. This is a book of great value to everyone - from a sociological point of view, from an intellectual point of view, and from the point of view of the Heart.
August 17, 2015
This book was unfortunately everything I was afraid it'd be: loosely connected new-ageish spiritual concepts plus repetitive usage of the word "love." It was not easy to read through this book; not because it was deep and complex, but because it was exhausting to see a coherent direction throughout the book. It lacked analytical arguments to support the author's main ideas, and, I assume, was mostly written for the readers, who either already do or want to believe in a loose form of spirituality.
A noticeable and irritating issue with this book is that it is only loosely connected to Islam. The author cherry-picks some verses from the Qur'an to serve his purpose of promoting loose spirituality. The Qur'anic verses could've easily been replaced with spiritual verses from any other religious book, and nothing substantial would've changed.
In addition, the author reveres Rumi to a great extent, to the point that it seems his Sufism, and this book, is inspired more by Rumi's teaching than by Islamic teachings. Unfortunately, author's admiration for Rumi seems to have blocked him from pursuing proper education in Islam, as some of his mistakes regarding Islamic teachings make it evident that he has not pursued Islam, carefully.
After reading the reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, I had high expectations from this book. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.
Would I recommend this book to anyone interested to learn about Islam? No.
Would I recommend this book to anyone with an analytical mindset? No.
Would I recommend this book to anyone who is adept at critical thinking? No.
Would I recommend this book to anyone at all? Yes, to whoever that is interested to get a vague idea about Mevlana Order of Sufism.
A noticeable and irritating issue with this book is that it is only loosely connected to Islam. The author cherry-picks some verses from the Qur'an to serve his purpose of promoting loose spirituality. The Qur'anic verses could've easily been replaced with spiritual verses from any other religious book, and nothing substantial would've changed.
In addition, the author reveres Rumi to a great extent, to the point that it seems his Sufism, and this book, is inspired more by Rumi's teaching than by Islamic teachings. Unfortunately, author's admiration for Rumi seems to have blocked him from pursuing proper education in Islam, as some of his mistakes regarding Islamic teachings make it evident that he has not pursued Islam, carefully.
After reading the reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, I had high expectations from this book. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.
Would I recommend this book to anyone interested to learn about Islam? No.
Would I recommend this book to anyone with an analytical mindset? No.
Would I recommend this book to anyone who is adept at critical thinking? No.
Would I recommend this book to anyone at all? Yes, to whoever that is interested to get a vague idea about Mevlana Order of Sufism.
May 20, 2013
It took me about a year to finish this because it's too deep to get through quicker than that. Every few pages my mind would be blown and then I'd have to sit quietly in a corner and Think About Things before I could come back to read a few more pages. This book is nourishment for MA SOUL. Love it. Transcendent.
June 9, 2018
This book was a book of depth and beauty.
The author offering a solution for the human need of a universal spirituality especially in our modern age ..
This book will appeal to readers of various backgrounds, of Western background in search for a message of love and peace , of a Muslim background rediscovering the holy revelation in the religion's sources from a different perspective and context , from eastern ancient spiritual backgrounds relating the language and message in the book to works and philosophies produced in their history for centuries.
As a reader from a Muslim background , the book displays the Holy Qur'an and the example of the prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) as a foundation to use in the journey of returning and connecting to our source of Love and Divine Reality .. the works of the various saints carrying this message also illuminates the path of this journey ..
The author presents Sufism as a solution for a needed universal spirituality with Rumi and the Mevlevi school as a relevant example for the cause explored in depth and detail throughout the book.
Several times within this book, the author draws my attention and with an open manner stimulates my mind with hard topics, questions and discussions on the current relevance of dogmatic religion and modern spirituality attempts of satisfying the human spiritual needs in today's world ..
From ancient religions to today's modern philosophies, the book contains a good deal of useful knowledge along with an extra useful glossary the author thankfully includes at the end of the book.
This rich book had a sense of peace on myself throughout it's reading process and a different perception in viewing religion, humanity and Reality.
The author offering a solution for the human need of a universal spirituality especially in our modern age ..
This book will appeal to readers of various backgrounds, of Western background in search for a message of love and peace , of a Muslim background rediscovering the holy revelation in the religion's sources from a different perspective and context , from eastern ancient spiritual backgrounds relating the language and message in the book to works and philosophies produced in their history for centuries.
As a reader from a Muslim background , the book displays the Holy Qur'an and the example of the prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) as a foundation to use in the journey of returning and connecting to our source of Love and Divine Reality .. the works of the various saints carrying this message also illuminates the path of this journey ..
The author presents Sufism as a solution for a needed universal spirituality with Rumi and the Mevlevi school as a relevant example for the cause explored in depth and detail throughout the book.
Several times within this book, the author draws my attention and with an open manner stimulates my mind with hard topics, questions and discussions on the current relevance of dogmatic religion and modern spirituality attempts of satisfying the human spiritual needs in today's world ..
From ancient religions to today's modern philosophies, the book contains a good deal of useful knowledge along with an extra useful glossary the author thankfully includes at the end of the book.
This rich book had a sense of peace on myself throughout it's reading process and a different perception in viewing religion, humanity and Reality.
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February 3, 2021a heart awakening book.
April 4, 2020
The book I had been posting all the beautiful messages from. I am glad that I took all my time to finish. For those who know me..I am an avid reader of Sufism but I drifted in last one year but this book helped me to reconnect with something which existed within me. For seekers of Sufism - this could be heavy. But again if you take it slow with certain amount of background information of Islam, you will set for an amazing journey. This book was published in 1999 and still relevant cause spirituality is universal and isn’t bound by any time period.
September 23, 2025
bildiğimiz ezberlerin dışından bakabilmek için çok kıymetli bir kitap. kabir helminski dili ve anlatımı o kadar sade ki ele aldığı konuları bambaşka bir düzleme taşıyor. sufizmle ilgili merakı olanlar için Türkçesi de var.
December 9, 2021
An excellent read for one seeking a non-technical overview of Sufism, Sufism's place in Islam and among other wisdom paths, for exploring the West's spiritual ecology, and consideration of aspects relevant for shaping a spirituality relevant to the present. Helminski addresses how the West is largely cut-off from its Essence. He provides, also, an informative look at the insufficiency of much spirituality today, as well as the ineptness of rigid orthodoxies from the past.
July 14, 2025
Very powerful wisdom and insights throughout to take with a grain of salt. Clearly carrying the weight of a dogmatic viewpoint, as it propagandizes the authors own religion. Still, this remains most worthwhile.
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August 31, 2008I also enjoy the poetry of Rumi. This book gives some practical approaches to loving the people around you and living modestly.
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September 26, 2011The Knowing Heart may be the most path-oriented and thorough guide to full living available, short of the world's sacred texts. Highly recommended.
January 10, 2019
Well, not bad, if you want to know about this particular sect of Sufism, although I would have liked more about Islam and its relationship to Sufism than was presented here. Sufism is not a stand-alone religion, but rather the mystical face of Islam.
I must prefer the writings of Seyyed Hossein Nasr and Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee on Sufism.
I must prefer the writings of Seyyed Hossein Nasr and Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee on Sufism.
March 19, 2021
Not as good as Living Presence - this felt more like a long defensive argument about why Sufism is the best school of thought out there. Still has some gems.
“Become what you are.”
“Be an active seeker of knowledge, not a passive recipient of dogma.”
“Real prayer is an intimate dialogue with reality.”
“Become what you are.”
“Be an active seeker of knowledge, not a passive recipient of dogma.”
“Real prayer is an intimate dialogue with reality.”
April 25, 2019
To be fair, I didn't realize it was simply going to be dogma. It had sounded more open minded, but it's looking at love and existence through a strictly religious view, which is fine, just not my thing.
December 13, 2020
One of the most beautiful book ever. Most writers narrate a Sufi while here a Sufi writes. A true pleasure.
December 27, 2020
Must read book on Sufism. I learned a lot about the path from this book.
February 26, 2021
one of my absolute favourites for whenever my soul needs some recalibrating
February 3, 2023
Read years ago and the message is great. Learned more about the Sufism way. Rumi and Jung presence is a big reason it resonates with me
September 9, 2011
This was the introduction to Sufi philosophy and practice (not history) that I've been looking for. Written for an American audience, it clearly explains the relationship between Sufism and Islam, while not excluding non-Muslims.
July 31, 2012
A deeply moving book, I can revisit again and again. The Sufi path and its connection to the heart are explored in a post-modern context. Again you can read an excerpt from my blog: http://yogini786.wordpress.com/2010/0...
December 28, 2012
I just started reading this book and gonna finish soon, really enjoying.This book gives some practical approaches to loving the people around you and living modestly and it clearly explains the relationship between Sufism and Islam, while not excluding non muslims.Its a heart awakening book.
June 10, 2008
OK I didn't read the whole book, but what I read, I loved...Full of insights and a great perspective on Islam
September 22, 2013
Truly heart awakening! Really enjoyed it and highly recommend it!
February 22, 2014
Anyone on the Mevlevi Path or the Sufi path or even simply on a Spiritual Journey should read this book. It is a deep guide to the difficult Journey to become the Perfect Human Being.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews