Women of Sufism A Hidden Treasure

by HELMINSKI, CAMILLE ADAMS

• ISBN13: 9781570629679
• ISBN10: 1570629676
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-02-25
• Publisher: Shambhala

Summary

The luminous presence of women who follow the Sufi Way-the mystical path of Islam-is brought to life here through their sacred songs and poetry, their dreams and visions, and stories of their efforts as they witness the Truth in many realms. These writings reflect the honor and respect for the feminine in the Sufi worldview, and they are shared in the spirit of inspiration and hope for the flourishing contributions of women to the spiritual development of humanity. Spanning the centuries, from the time of the Prophet Muhammad to the present day, the selections are by or about an array of Sufi traditions in different parts of the world, from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East to Europe and America-from beloved members of the Prophet's family to the mystic Rabi'a al-Adawiyya to the modern scholar Annemarie Schimmel. Biographical anecdotes and personal memoirs provide a glimpse into the experience of great saints and contemporary practitioners alike, while providing an introduction to the principles and practices of Sufism.

Author Biography

Camille Adams Helminski is cofounder and codirector of the Threshold Society in Aptos, California

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xiii
Acknowledgments	p. xvii
Women and Sufism	p. xix
In the Heart of the Prophet	p. 1
Khadija	p. 5
Fatima	p. 8
'A'isha	p. 13
Early Sufi Women	p. 19
A Doorkeeper of the Heart	p. 25
Poems and Stories of Rabi'a	p. 30
Sufi Women of Syria	p. 35
Halima of Damascus	p. 35
Rabi'a bint Ismail	p. 35
Lubaba al-Muta 'Abbida	p. 36
Fatima of Damascus	p. 37
Those Who Weep	p. 38
Tears of Devotion	p. 40
The Enraptured Ones	p. 44
Dhakkara	p. 44
Fatima al-Barda'iyya	p. 45
Sufi Women of Nishapur	p. 46
'A'isha	p. 46
Fatima	p. 47
Futayma	p. 48
Al-Wahatiyya	p. 49
Going Home	p. 51
A Maiden of the Desert
Sufi Sisters	p. 53
Zubda and Mudgha: Essence and Embryo	p. 53
'Abda and Amina: Servant and Faith	p. 54
Be There for God, Today	p. 55
'Unayza of Baghdad
A Jewel of Knowledge	p. 56
Waters of Blessing	p. 56
Hidden Ways	p. 60
Dream Lessons	p. 61
The Unfolding Universe	p. 73
Toward the Heart	p. 89
The Path of Sufism	p. 90
My Soul Is a Woman	p. 98
Women in Mystical Islam	p. 99
Women in the Life of Ibn al-'Arabi	p. 109
Sublime Companions	p. 110
Wherever You Turn, There Is the Face of God	p. 115
Mevlevi Women	p. 117
A Princess of Piety	p. 128
Confidant of Spirits	p. 129
The Wine of Love	p. 133
Our Intoxicating Beloved	p. 135
The Night of Power	p. 135
From a Qadiri Heart of Nigeria	p. 137
Sufi Women	p. 140
Lamentation for Aisha I	p. 145
So Verily ...	p. 146
Yashrutis of Palestine	p. 148
Journey to Reality	p. 150
The Light of Womanhood	p. 153
A Woman of Valor	p. 155
Serving Peace	p. 160
Reflections on Retreat	p. 161
A Window into Forty Days	p. 169
In the Lion's Presence	p. 170
Zhikr	p. 174
The Way of the Soul	p. 177
Soul Bridges	p. 180
The Soul as Virgin Mother	p. 183
Mother Love	p. 186
The First Goal of Sufi Mothers	p. 187
First Lessons of Love	p. 188
Etheric Body Massage	p. 190
The Fragrance of Prayer	p. 192
Fresh Jasmine	p. 193
An Essential Language	p. 196
Real Love Means Surrender	p. 197
The Soul's Longing	p. 199
Mother of Compassion	p. 215
Songs of Praise and Supplication: The Munshidin of Egypt	p. 222
O Allah!	p. 226
Musical Remembrance: Sufi Women of Fez	p. 229
In Praise of the Prophet	p. 231
Inner Vision	p. 233
Vision of the Truth by Meeting of the Sun and Moon	p. 234
Principles of Sufism	p. 244
Patience (Sabr)	p. 246
A Child of the Moment	p. 254
Purifying the Heart	p. 257
Essential Zhikr for a New Murid	p. 259
A Daughter of Fire	p. 264
Yearning for Truth	p. 265
Bektashi Breaths	p. 280
Unfolding Light	p. 282
I Rubbed My Face upon Your Feet	p. 282
Today, I Reached My Pir	p. 283
A Rose Garden of Love	p. 285
You Have to Love People	p. 285
Let Us Ask Permission of the Mature Ones	p. 296
Erler Demine	p. 297
Sharing the Treasure	p. 299
Awakening	p. 300
Bibliography	p. 304
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