Turning Toward the Heart: Awakening to the Sufi Way: Forty Questions and Answers (Contemporary Spiritual Masters)

Every paragraph of this book bears the stamp of the author's profound erudition, as well as his precise experiential understanding of the methods, aims and practical results of the Sufi path. Illustrated throughout with material from both his own life and the rich lore of Sufism's heritage, the author's earnest desire to convey this wisdom clearly, concisely, and accurately to people of our time is evident in every thought and turn of phrase. Here you will find the voice of direct knowledge and living insight speaking a language of truth that abstraction and theory can't even begin to approximate, because the language of this book is a language that speaks the truth of mind and heart in unison. In a very real sense, this is the voice our souls were created to hear, speaking softly but firmly, radiantly compassionate, though without a hint of sentimentality.I've never read a more heartfelt yet convincingly reasoned exposition of the vital relevance our inner life has not only to our outer lives of every day, but also to larger concerns of the shared life of planet Earth. It will be the first book I recommend not only to anyone interested in authentic Sufi tradition and practice, but to anyone interested in any kind of mysticism, or even to anyone interested in the essential meaning and higher purpose of religion itself, in any of its many manifestations throughout the history of the world, to the present day.It would not even be too much to say that this book places our ultimate spiritual aspirations squarely and solidly in the center of reality, on evidentiary grounds at least as substantial as anything that can be said about things of a more material nature. As the author superbly documents, the laboratories and fields in which our evidence may be found are ourselves and the world, if only we are willing to undertake the necessary disciplines of transformation that Sufism has offered to seekers over the centuries, and still does today. I'm sure it will be a lifelong companion on my own spiritual journey, and an inexhaustible source of sustenance along the way. For me, the turning of its pages has been a lifting of veils.

Written in a question and answer format, Shaykh al-Tariqat Hazrat Azad Rasool answers most if not all question regarding Sufism.His style is warm and heartfelt, but without sacrificing lucidity and succinctness and in the process covers a tremondous range of topics quite well. Most readers will come away with a firm understanding of what Sufism is and is not, plus what it has to offer us moderns.What makes this book so special among the plethora of books on sufism is this: Unlike many authors, Shaykh Rasool is a Sufi and teacher with a real lineage, so he writes from first hand experience and knowledge. Which is quite rare when one examines many of the books, where the authors are either academics or new age purveyors.One cannot but help when reading this book, that one is in the presence of a true spiritual guide. Someone who lives what he teaches. As one other reviewer put it, I'm grateful that such teachers still exist in our time. It renews ones faith to say the least.I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand what Sufism is and is a joy to read. It makes a perfect gift to religous students and others who are curious about other spiritual traditions.

My favorite question and response is Q#40 My favorite part of the Answer beginning on paragraph 12, I believe we will see that World of Wisdom, Unity, harmony and Love.This is a beautiful book.

It's clear the author was a truly self-realized Sufi master, giving a heart centered transmission directly from the heart of the One Being, who alone exists. If you're a Western Sufi who would like to read something a bit deeper than some of the modern Western writers on Sufism, that is yet filled with the loving, open-heartedness that the greatest Sufis have always been known for, buy this book. Turning Toward the Heart: Awakening to the Sufi Way: Forty Questions and Answers (Contemporary Spiritual Masters)

This is possibly the best and most comprehensive guide on Sufism. The 40 Q&A's encapsulate the essence of Sufism. It starts from the fundamentals and runs the entire gamut. It is unbelievable such a vast subject can be covered in just 40 Q&A's. Since the responses come from the master - Hazrat Azad Rasool - himself it is both authentic and diverse viz. Sufism's approach to personality development, psychology, philosophy, and even environment. It is a must read for anyone wishing to know about Sufism. It takes the reader on a journey with lucid and illustrative language.

Good explanation about Sufism. Though still need to search for a teacher to practising it.

This is the most well written and helpful book I have ever read on Sufism. It's Author Shaykh Azad Rasool is succeeded by his son Shaykh Hamid Hasan who is the only direct and authentic link to the teachings of the School of Sufi Teaching in America and the rest of the World. The book is a series of forty questions and answers that the average seeker may ask about Sufism in general and the work of The School of Sufi Teaching in particular. It offers a comprehensive explanation of meditation on the Lataif and explains how a westerner might be able to integrate Sufism into their everyday.

If you want to know about real sufism then this book and practices described by the master is a must for everyone. This is the book to those who really searching for truth irrespective of religion.

This book is excellent in that it addresses many concerns, questions and confusions one might wish regards to Sufism. It places Sufism firmly within the time and place of our contemporary society. Demystifying the whole question of ‘Islamic mysticism’ in intelligent and plain English. It is not exactly a manual for following the teachings of this particular tariqa, one still needs to seek an authentic teacher to actually learn the practices, but this book gives a clear account of the conceptual and historical framework within which the meditative practices dwell.The authors knowledge, insight as well as his deep compassion permeates the text so that one feels one is in the company of the Sheikh personally.

After trying everything I could and searching tirelessly for meaning and transcendence in life, this book stopped me in my tracks.The author presents sufism as clearly and beautifully as I have ever witnessed, showing the path to be accessible to everybody regardless of background or ability.After finishing the book I was convinced enough to embark on the journey myself, and have found this book to be an invaluable companion. I still learn from it every time I pick it up.If you are searching for a deeper understand of Islam, Sufism, Enlightenment, Inner knowledge, Peace, Beauty or anything else the Sublime has to offer, this book will surely guide you in your search.

Really a gem of a book for everyone interested in what spiritually really entails at the practical level.It offers a unique insight on a genuine teacher of soufism and delivers a powerful message to all seekers of the truth that the spiritual path of real inner transformation is well alive and that it is for everyone to embark on this journey irrespective of background and situation.It is also a gem for Muslim as well non-muslim who want to understand what real soufism and break the usual myths and unacurrate beliefs of what it is.

If you are interested in Sufism then this book will answer any doubts and questions. It’s a must for anyone who wants to know about the different Tariqas and their origins. Very enlightening!

Lovely book from a modern day sufi master. Sincere, informative and truthful.