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Practical Sufism: A Guide to the Spiritual Path Based on the Teachings of Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan
This wise, funny, and compassionate book follows Gowins apprenticeship with Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, spiritual leader of the Sufi Order International. Until now, Pir Vilayat’s order has not had a strong, accessible introduction. This book not only provides that service but is more down-to-earth than most books on Sufism. It also has the advantage of being universalistic. “The Sufi Way is not a religion or a component of a religion but the heart of all religions and spiritualities,” Gowins says. Because it is non-dogmatic and offers no catechisms or creeds, its teachers are essential. Gowins emerges as a superb teacher, offering a user-friendly guide to the Sufi Way that is at once valuable to any seeker entering any spiritual path. Gowins is quick to emphasize that Sufism is not the only path or even the right path for everyone. His approach is full of engaging stories and specific practices that could be helpful in many circumstances. Readers will benefit from his gentle Sufi teachings of love, tolerance, unity, and consciousness, no matter what their chosen path.
210 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 13, 2011
I’m ashamed to say that I was born in the country where the famous Sufi poet Rumi lived, raised in the Muslim faith, but know little about Sufism, other than that it’s the mystical aspect of Islam and the spiritual home of the whirling dervishes (who I’ve seen perform in my native Turkey). For that reason I was drawn to Phillip Gowins’s book Practical Sufism. I wanted to learn the basics and thought this slim book by a hypnotherapist and Sufi teacher would be a great way to start.
Gowins takes us down his path of Sufism. Part memoir, part traditional non fiction text, part metaphysical musings with meditative exercises, Practical Sufism is a hodgepodge of a book. At times this lack of structure felt liberating, but at other times I found it hard to grasp the teachings and principles of Sufism, besides some basic principles such as: merging with the oneness of God, humans as beings of light, Sufism as the path of the heart, the need to open the channel to the soul through meditation. I felt that the author should have given at least a brief introduction on the history, philosophy and practice of Sufism before sharing his own experience. Without such an introduction, the narrative meanders.
Sufism is in fact the inner dimension of Islam. But there is little if no mention of Islam, and how Sufism ties into Islam. In the history of the religion, Sufism has played a key role, a fact that the reader should be informed of. Also, Islamic practice appears to be a key component of many Sufi orders. Gowins’s order appears to be independent of religion, so the reader longs to know: how is that possible?
Gowins’s spiritual awakening is engaging. He left the Protestant faith and joined a Sufi order. The book is based on the teachings of Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, the author’s own guide and leader of his Sufi order. Khan has since passed away. And though many of the passages from Khan that Gowins includes are beautiful and poignant, it’s difficult to grasp exactly what Khan’s essential teachings are. Gowins doesn’t take the time to delve into them. So I’m left to wonder, what is the essential philosophy of Sufism and its major figures, and how does Khan fit in this history? Also, I wanted more details of Gowins own path in the Sufi order. What was the process? How did he become a Sufi? Apparently, it’s not easy to become one and can take years of tireless devotion and practice.
Gowins is a clear, succinct, and effective writer. His voice is likeable, his style is easy to read and follow. However, the book reads more like a spiritual self-help book than an informative text on the subject, as it lacks a narrative thread. The chapters don’t connect to one another, and the information appears to be dispersed. The random division of chapters makes it hard to grasp his spirituality’s key concepts. In the end, I felt the book was incomplete. Sufism has such a rich and fascinating history and I wish the author had shared more of that with the reader.
Gowins takes us down his path of Sufism. Part memoir, part traditional non fiction text, part metaphysical musings with meditative exercises, Practical Sufism is a hodgepodge of a book. At times this lack of structure felt liberating, but at other times I found it hard to grasp the teachings and principles of Sufism, besides some basic principles such as: merging with the oneness of God, humans as beings of light, Sufism as the path of the heart, the need to open the channel to the soul through meditation. I felt that the author should have given at least a brief introduction on the history, philosophy and practice of Sufism before sharing his own experience. Without such an introduction, the narrative meanders.
Sufism is in fact the inner dimension of Islam. But there is little if no mention of Islam, and how Sufism ties into Islam. In the history of the religion, Sufism has played a key role, a fact that the reader should be informed of. Also, Islamic practice appears to be a key component of many Sufi orders. Gowins’s order appears to be independent of religion, so the reader longs to know: how is that possible?
Gowins’s spiritual awakening is engaging. He left the Protestant faith and joined a Sufi order. The book is based on the teachings of Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, the author’s own guide and leader of his Sufi order. Khan has since passed away. And though many of the passages from Khan that Gowins includes are beautiful and poignant, it’s difficult to grasp exactly what Khan’s essential teachings are. Gowins doesn’t take the time to delve into them. So I’m left to wonder, what is the essential philosophy of Sufism and its major figures, and how does Khan fit in this history? Also, I wanted more details of Gowins own path in the Sufi order. What was the process? How did he become a Sufi? Apparently, it’s not easy to become one and can take years of tireless devotion and practice.
Gowins is a clear, succinct, and effective writer. His voice is likeable, his style is easy to read and follow. However, the book reads more like a spiritual self-help book than an informative text on the subject, as it lacks a narrative thread. The chapters don’t connect to one another, and the information appears to be dispersed. The random division of chapters makes it hard to grasp his spirituality’s key concepts. In the end, I felt the book was incomplete. Sufism has such a rich and fascinating history and I wish the author had shared more of that with the reader.
April 3, 2024
Didn't even mention that Sufism is the Mysticism of Islam. To practice Sufism without Islam is like saying that you're Christian without believing in Jesus. I couldn't take this guy seriously. Everything he was saying just didn't seem authentic or reputable since he never even mentioned the religion that Sufism is a mystic practice of.
I was looking forward to reading this book. Had to set it down because the author is looking at Sufism from too Western of a viewpoint and just trying to pass it off as New Age.
I was looking forward to reading this book. Had to set it down because the author is looking at Sufism from too Western of a viewpoint and just trying to pass it off as New Age.
December 31, 2018
This book is awesome. I learned so much about Sufism. Perfect book for beginners, I love the way he writes, down to earth!!!Great book!!!
September 3, 2013
This is a great book. The exercises are practical and very useful and the language is very accessible!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews