The Sufi Message Volume 4

Book excerpt: This volume is rich in both quantity and quality. It offers beautiful insights into the world of the mind in its relation to the body on the one hand, and to the soul on the other. Interestingly, in the conception of Hazrat Inayat Khan, the mind includes the heart: thinking and feeling are not separate. The matter is discussed from three different angles. In the Book of Health Hazrat Inayat Khan presents a picture of health and healing which rises above the controversies between traditional and 'western' professionals. Moreover, it appeals directly to both ordinary man and healers. It sets forth the basic laws governing the divine healing power as well as several methods for its application. Quite another perspective is offered in Mental Purification. This collection of papers deals with the workings and hygiene of the mind and heart. One comes to the understanding of how to "manage" the mind, both for living everyday life and for spiritual development. Rather it implies how leaving the world physically or mentally. Rather it implies how to deal with life and yet keep your balance by proper attunement. The Mind-world expands on this subject matter resulting in a sort of travel guide` through the world of the mind. Although it is highly practical, yet it never substitutes for your own options and decisions. It is like a foundation on which to build your individual life. Sufi Hazrat Inayat Khan (Baroda 1982-Delhi 1927) provides a beautiful guidebook for your inner path. It contains neither prescriptions nor do's and don'ts. You may be provided with insight and understanding which may be as a welcome in the circle of Sufi friends, or as a silent companion on your further way. "The soul is called Atman, which means happiness or bliss itself. It is not that happiness belongs to the soul; it is that the soul itself is happiness." This inspiring book covers almost all aspects of the life of someone who chooses to go the way of self-unfoldment and self-realization. It refers to the struggle of life, its intoxication and its deeper side. The aim, meaning and purpose of life are discussed. What is wanted in life? Essential for the answer to this question are concepts like the art and development of personality, attitude, interest and indifference, purity of life, and the ideal. All these are discussed in separate chapters dealing with these items in an inspiring and uplifting manner, nevertheless remaining realistic as to daily life's requirements. Life is presented as an opportunity to gain experience both within and without, stressing their mutual interdependence. The second half of the book discusses, amongst others, inner life, the kingly road from limitation to perfection, and the stages of his destiny, in the context of the continuity of life. This the fourth volume of the Sufi Message by Hazrat Inayat Khan. It includes three works- the first, Healing is a collection of teachings on spiritual healing. In this work, the Suri mystic discusses the basic laws governing the mind's influence on the body, which he considers greater than that of the physical body on the mental existence, and he emphasises the need for a stronger awareness of the possibilities which spiritual healing can offer. Mental Purification is a collection of lectures on the working and hygiene of the mind in relation to the spirit. This part conveys in a beautiful way the synthesis that can be gained between inner life and life in the world. The volume concludes with the Mind World- which in the terms of the Sufi poets is called 'The palace of Mirrors' - an expression which Inayat Khan takes as symbolising on different levels, the whole of life.