Special Illumination: The Sufi Use Of Humour is a book by the writer Idries Shah published Octagon Press in 1977. Later editions were published in 1983, 1989 and 1997.[1]
Shortly before he died, Shah stated that his books form a complete course that could fulfil the function he had fulfilled while alive. As such, Special Illumination can be read as part of a whole course of study.[2]
Special Illumination was the phrase used by Jalaludin Rumi to stress the importance of humour in relation to mystical experience; "If you want special illumination look upon the human face: See clearly within laughter the Essence of Ultimate Truth."
Presenting commentaries, stories and jokes, Shah writes; "Rumi directly contradicts such numerous sour-faced religionists as, in all persuasions, find that humour disturbs the indoctrination which is all that they usually have to offer."
Receptionedit
In the essay The Sufis and Idries Shah, the Nobel Prize–winning novelist Doris Lessing writes that the book is about the Sufi use of humour, not an academic treatise, and takes the reader "through a sequence of tales, explaining possible meanings." She tells us that "Shah warns not to fall in love with the great classics of the past. 'People study Rumi and turn themselves into perfect replicas of 14th century people.' For classics to be of use, we need a Sufi to choose the parts that are still relevant, and put them into our context — to 'unlock' them."[3]
Referencesedit
^Amazon.com page on Special Illumination: The Sufi Use Of Humour
^Shah, Tahir (2008). In Arabian Nights: A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams. New York, NY: Bantam. pp. 215–216. ISBN0-553-80523-1.
^Lessing, Doris May (2004). Time Bites: Views and Reviews. Fourth Estate (an imprint of HarperPress). p. 362. ISBN0-00-717985-5. From the review The Sufis and Idries Shah.
External linksedit
Official Idries Shah website
May 03, 2024
special, illumination, sufi, humour, special, illumination, sufi, humour, book, writer, idries, shah, published, octagon, press, 1977, later, editions, were, published, 1983, 1989, 1997, special, illumination, sufi, humourauthoridries, shahcountryunited, kingd. Special Illumination The Sufi Use Of Humour is a book by the writer Idries Shah published Octagon Press in 1977 Later editions were published in 1983 1989 and 1997 1 Special Illumination The Sufi Use Of HumourAuthorIdries ShahCountryUnited KingdomLanguageEnglishPublisherOctagon Press LtdPublication date1977Media typePrint HardbackISBN978 0 900860 57 7OCLC4393483LC ClassMLCS 84 16795 B Shortly before he died Shah stated that his books form a complete course that could fulfil the function he had fulfilled while alive As such Special Illumination can be read as part of a whole course of study 2 Contents 1 Content 2 Reception 3 References 4 External linksContent edit nbsp Idries Shah Special Illumination was the phrase used by Jalaludin Rumi to stress the importance of humour in relation to mystical experience If you want special illumination look upon the human face See clearly within laughter the Essence of Ultimate Truth Presenting commentaries stories and jokes Shah writes Rumi directly contradicts such numerous sour faced religionists as in all persuasions find that humour disturbs the indoctrination which is all that they usually have to offer Reception editIn the essay The Sufis and Idries Shah the Nobel Prize winning novelist Doris Lessing writes that the book is about the Sufi use of humour not an academic treatise and takes the reader through a sequence of tales explaining possible meanings She tells us that Shah warns not to fall in love with the great classics of the past People study Rumi and turn themselves into perfect replicas of 14th century people For classics to be of use we need a Sufi to choose the parts that are still relevant and put them into our context to unlock them 3 References edit Amazon com page on Special Illumination The Sufi Use Of Humour Shah Tahir 2008 In Arabian Nights A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams New York NY Bantam pp 215 216 ISBN 0 553 80523 1 Lessing Doris May 2004 Time Bites Views and Reviews Fourth Estate an imprint of HarperPress p 362 ISBN 0 00 717985 5 From the review The Sufis and Idries Shah External links editOfficial Idries Shah website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Special Illumination The Sufi Use of Humour amp oldid 1204176582, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
