Tales of the Dervishes

More about the book

Despite the passage of time and geographical distance, Sufi stories have captivated readers in Western culture for centuries. Sufism, the mystical tradition of Islam, reveals a lesser-known aspect of this religion characterized by spiritual depth, openness, and tolerance. In the schools of various Sufi masters, stories often played a crucial role in guiding students. These tales were told with a purpose similar to that of koans in Zen Buddhism; they aimed to disrupt habitual ways of seeing, educate about the paradoxical nature of reality, and open the mind to deeper meanings. Idries Shah presents a collection of stories from Sufi masters, each accompanied by commentary, information about the author, and insights into the story's significance.