Mysticism Books

Book SynopsisSufism and Early Islamic Piety: Personal and Communal Dynamicsoffers a new story about the formative period of Sufism. Through a fresh reading of diverse Sufi and non-Sufi sources, Arin Shawkat Salamah-Qudsi reveals the complexity of personal and communal aspects of Sufi piety in the period between the ninth and thirteenth centuries. Her study also sheds light on the interrelationships and conflicts of early Sufis through emphasising that early Sufism was neither a quietist or a completely individual mode of piety. Salamah-Qudsi reveals how the early Sufis'' commitment to the Islamic ideal of family life lead to different creative arrangements among them in order to avoid contradictions with this ideal and the mystical ideal of solitary life. Her book enables a deeper understanding of the development of Sufism in light of the human concerns and motivations of its founders.Trade Review'By expanding the scope of inquiry about the relationships of early Sufis beyond the celebrated shaykh-disciple bond, Sufism and Early Islamic Piety makes an undeniable contribution to scholarship on early Sufism. Among other achievements, Salamah-Qudsi highlights figures who have previously been marginalized in European-language scholarship, argues persuasively for the application of gen-der theory to early Sufi texts, and translates for the first time a great deal of material into English …' Jeremy Farrell, Journal of the American Oriental SocietyTable of ContentsPart I. Personal Narratives: Early Sufis and Family Ties: 1. Celibacy, marriage and familial commitments among early Sufis; 2. Female Sufis; 3. Maternal narratives: female Sufis as mothers; 4. Sufis as maternal uncles; Part II. Communal Narratives: Early Sufis' Modes of Operating in the Framework of Sufi Communal Lives: 5. Consensually acclaimed Sufis and lenient approaches; 6. Marginal piety: the case of Niffari; 7. Controversies and quarrel; 8. Companionship with youth (Suhbat al-Ahdath).

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThe most recent mystical theology scholarship - a discipline that has found new energy and influence. This is examined through the lens of Wittgenstein's philosophy.Trade ReviewTyler offers a penetrating reading of Wittgenstein. And if that is not enough, he harnesses this to examine both the development of the theologia mystica from Dionysius to the medieval period and specifically the writings of the great Spanish mystic Teresa of Avila. Even more importantly he returns to re-read Wittgenstein. Tyler's elegant and provocative book is a genuine contribution to philosophy, theology and the study of mysticism. -- Professor Gavin D'CostaSituating his inquiry amidst the debate over mystical language and the 'core experience', Tyler deftly exposes and explores the mystical, transformational element in Wittgenstein's thought and life. In turn, Wittgenstein provides Tyler a clear lens through which he reexamines the mystical theology of seminal figures from Dionysius the Areopagite to Teresa of Àvila. An immensely important contribution to the comparative study of mysticism, The Return of the Mystical also significantly advances our understanding of Wittgenstein. -- Professor Richard WoodsMentioned in Fairacres Chronicle Vol. 44 No.1This is a significant work of impressive scholarship; made accessible by the lucidity of style, the clarity of expression and the infectious enthusiasm of the author. -- The Pastoral Review Volume 7 Issue 6This is an extraordinary book, blending mysticism with philosophy, creative synthesis with critical analysis and Theresa of Avila with Ludwig Wittgenstein. Though began with a fascination and enthusiasm for two giants in the field, the book is the result of persistent and meticulous research for ten years, exploring the interaction between these two great authors in depth both in style and content. -- Journal of Dharma 36, 4Table of ContentsIntroduction; 1. What this book is not about; 2. A Form of Writing; 3. Origins of the Theologia Mystica; 4. Theology-Speculative and Mystical; 5. The Spanish School Teresa of Avila; 6. The Spanish School John of the Cross; 7. The Reconstruction of the Medieval; 8. The Return to the Mystical.

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