This work, in its accessible question-and-answer format, offers profound insights into the practical day-to-day aspects of the master-disciple relationship.

Preface

xiii

Kenneth Honerkamp

Biography of the Author

xxi

Ahmed Abdur Rashid

The Questions Answered

Opening Remarks

1

(4)

PART 1: GENERAL TOPICS

Sufism

5

(4)

Comparing Mystical Paths

9

(2)

Choosing a Path

11

(1)

Sufism's Popularity in the West

12

(1)

Western Conditioning

13

(3)

Personal Transformation

16

(2)

Humanism and Humanitarianism

18

(1)

Global Issues

19

(2)

Stress, Angst, and Depression

21

(1)

Psychotherapy

22

(2)

Gurdjieff's Teachings

24

(1)

Women's Roles

25

(2)

Factors for Success on the Journey

27

(3)

Difficulties on the Spiritual Path

30

(3)

Love and Transformation

33

(2)

Progress

35

(5)

Sufi Lifestyles

40

(4)

Students' Attainments Past and Present

44

(1)

The Length of the Journey

45

(1)

Group Study

46

(3)

Sufi Practices in Daily Life

49

(1)

Qualities Developed by the Aspirant

50

(4)

Transferring Sufism to the West

54

(3)

PART 2: IN-DEPTH EXPLORATIONS AND TECHNICAL EXPLANATIONS

Islam's Role in the Path of the Sufi

57

(6)

Sources of Sufism

63

(1)

Sufi Orders (Tariqahs)

64

(8)

Sufism's Role in Muslim Life

72

(2)

Initiation (Bay'ah)

74

(2)

Student-Teacher Relationship

76

(7)

Academic Study of Sufism

83

(3)

Centers of Consciousness (Lata'if)

86

(6)

``Where Others End, There Marks Our Beginning''

92

(2)

Transmission (Tawajjuh) and Affinity (Nisbah)

94

(4)

Meditation (Muraqabah)

98

(4)

Awakening the Heart

102

(2)

Remembrance (Dhikr)

104

(5)

Finding Time for Self-Refinement

109

(4)

Sayyid `Abd al-Bari Shah

113

(10)

Realizations on the Path

123

(3)

Sufism and the Future

126

(4)

Notes

130

(9)

Appendix A: Shajarahs (Lineage Trees) of the Mujaddidi, Naqshbandi, Qadiri, Chishti, and Shadhili Orders

139

(3)

Appendix B: Shajarahs (Lineage Trees) with Sufi Masters' Dates and Locations

142

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