First published in 1971, Thinkers of the East: Studies in Experientialism was one of several books of Eastern practical philosophy study materials selected and arranged by Idries Shah for a contemporary readership.
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, Thinkers of the East can be read as part of a whole course of study.[1]
Thinkers of the East consists of a series of anecdotes and brief recorded conversations between thinkers and questioners, mingled with occasional extracts, stories and legends (including "The Legend of Nasrudin"). The preface asserts that the book's content is "arranged in a manner commanded by the tradition and not by superficialist obsessional arranging."
As the book's subtitle Studies in Experientialism suggests, these illustrate Sufi thinking in action, rather than in theory. On the principle that it is for the reader to dwell, not the author, the narratives are related with a deliberate economy: enough detail to provoke thought, but too little to flood it.
In The New York Times, Doris Lessing writes: "in its claims and statements about the role of contemporary Sufism [Thinkers of the East] is more open than any of Shah's books."[2]
Receptionedit
The Times Literary Supplement noted that the book would mainly "appeal to the modern man who finds current materialistic outlooks and attitudes insufficient to his needs."[3]Doris Lessing, a long-time student of Shah's work, reviewed the book in the New York Times Book Review, noting that terms like "worship", "the fear of God" etc. could "be seen as technical terms, with a precise meaning."[3] The Stanford University professor Robert Ornstein, commenting in Psychology Today, commented that this was "perhaps the most explicit book on the nature and function of Sufi teaching – and perhaps the most remedial."[3]
Referencesedit
^Shah, Tahir (2008). In Arabian Nights: A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams. New York, NY: Bantam. pp. 215–216. ISBN0-553-80523-1.
^Lessing, Doris (7 May 1972). "What Looks Like an Egg and Is an Egg?". The New York Times. from the original on 19 March 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
^ abcThinkers of the East – Editorial Reviews on amazon.com
External linksedit
Official Idries Shah Foundation website
Free online book on the ISF website
May 03, 2024
thinkers, east, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, 2009, learn. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Thinkers of the East news newspapers books scholar JSTOR May 2009 Learn how and when to remove this message First published in 1971 Thinkers of the East Studies in Experientialism was one of several books of Eastern practical philosophy study materials selected and arranged by Idries Shah for a contemporary readership Thinkers of the East Studies in ExperientialismAuthorIdries ShahCountryUnited KingdomLanguageEnglishGenreEastern philosophy and culture Sufism Sufi LiteraturePublisherJonathan CapePublication date1971Media typePrint Paperback eBook amp Audiobook OCLC959607677Preceded byThe Dermis Probe Followed byThe Magic Monastery 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 Thinkers of the East can be read as part of a whole course of study 1 Contents 1 Summary 2 Reception 3 References 4 External linksSummary editThinkers of the East consists of a series of anecdotes and brief recorded conversations between thinkers and questioners mingled with occasional extracts stories and legends including The Legend of Nasrudin The preface asserts that the book s content is arranged in a manner commanded by the tradition and not by superficialist obsessional arranging As the book s subtitle Studies in Experientialism suggests these illustrate Sufi thinking in action rather than in theory On the principle that it is for the reader to dwell not the author the narratives are related with a deliberate economy enough detail to provoke thought but too little to flood it In The New York Times Doris Lessing writes in its claims and statements about the role of contemporary Sufism Thinkers of the East is more open than any of Shah s books 2 Reception editThe Times Literary Supplement noted that the book would mainly appeal to the modern man who finds current materialistic outlooks and attitudes insufficient to his needs 3 Doris Lessing a long time student of Shah s work reviewed the book in the New York Times Book Review noting that terms like worship the fear of God etc could be seen as technical terms with a precise meaning 3 The Stanford University professor Robert Ornstein commenting in Psychology Today commented that this was perhaps the most explicit book on the nature and function of Sufi teaching and perhaps the most remedial 3 References edit 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 7 May 1972 What Looks Like an Egg and Is an Egg The New York Times Archived from the original on 19 March 2019 Retrieved 19 March 2019 a b c Thinkers of the East Editorial Reviewsonamazon comExternal links editOfficial Idries Shah Foundation website Free online book on the ISF website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Thinkers of the East amp oldid 1080256045, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
