The Book of Mirdad: The Strange Story of a Monastery Which Was Once Called the Ark

The Book of Mirdad is an amoral, irrationalist call for reverence and unity.With themes common to Nietzsches “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” and Martin Bubers “I-Thou”, this book, although small in stature is mighty in depth.I read this book as a recommendation from a friend who is very into astrology, so my guard was definitely up, as I excepted pseudoscientific, metaphysical Rhetoric. But what I found was, well yeah. Pretty much exactly that.BUT the book delivers its content in such a way that the reader can draw from it only as much as the reader can draw from oneself. At face value, this book has all the makings to be a text of Sufism.It preaches harmony through contradiction, birth through death, and unity through difference; it’s a direct attack on Aristotle’s “firmest principle” — that something cannot be and not be at the same time.This book is not for the dogmatic religious zealot who find offense in individuality. The entire book is predicated on a canonically heretical interpretation of a book that 1/3 of the world holds as sacred. This book is for the dreamer who envisions a world of peace, stemming from a book that has so far only inspired war and division.The authors transvaluation of Christian morality (hence the Nietzschean Geist at play) is fecund, insofar as it forces the reader to think. For this alone, I give the book 5 stars and would recommend to anyone.The author, Mikhail Naimy, beautifully fuses post-modern ideology (heavily influenced by Nietzsche) with classic Jewish theology (As elaborated on by Martin Buber) in his amoral interpretation of the Genesis story. For example, Naimy points to the original sin not being the eating of the forbidden fruit from The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, but rather to Adam and Eve (who he views as one) clothing themselves before god. Nietzsche’s amoralism lurks in the insinuation that paradise was found where man knew not of good and evil, whereas Bubers I-Thou distinction finds footing in the authors idea of the original sin being man clothing himself from god, thus instantiating the ego, separating the “I” from the “Thou” — a blunder that the author claims man has been struggling with since.Despite your take on the Authors views, every single concept put forth in this book has rooting in hundreds of years of philosophy and theology, which is to say, it’s worthwhile to encounter.10/10. Written as a dance more so than a book, this text will lift you on the wings of eagles, where your lofty soul will be forced to view itself from far above.

Deeply spiritual and meaningful. This book touched my heart in many ways. The messages can easily be missed or lost but for those who are spiritually inclined, I highly recommend.

My toy poodle loves this treat! use it to train her basic skills.

Wonderfully written - genuinely Spiritual but relaxed. And explains the inherent contradictions in Reality very smoothly. It must be read by anyone with the slightest interest in Meditation.

Hearing Osho's highest possible recommendation and of the author's close association with Gibran, I downloaded this. It is, as suggested, an awesome work, perhaps the most novel account of mystic unity (utilizing Underhill's "Science of Absolutes" defintion) that I've ever encountered. With that in mere mind, what would it take for me to award five stars? Well, it'd have to force me to quit my illusions entirely, which is obviously an ask too high. Yes, the faults are of my own fragmented ego but, still (or obviously not), that's how I roll.

Wow, I feel blessed that this book arrived in my life. I originally heard about it when I came across the great mystic Osho saying that this was the greatest book ever written. It was hard for me to even fathom the height of that endorsement and I had to get it immediately, so great was my intrigue.Well, it has not in the least disappointed. Quite the opposite. The book is deeply touching. This is one of those books that if you only had one to live by for the rest of your life, this could easily be it. It would absolutely have to be in consideration.Its depth of insight about life, the human condition, and what Love and Truth actually are in the deepest sense feel like they come directly from the source of all Wisdom itself.PS-It is hard for me to even imagine that Naimy and Gibran were contemporaries and friends. How amazing must those shared moments have been!

Very profound allegorical story. For people free of religion and other limitations

I'm so grateful to the friend who recently told me about this precious little book. I was familiar with the author as we are taught his Arabic poetry in school in Lebanon, but had never heard of this book of his, which he apparently wrote in English. Mikhail Naimy was a close friend of Khalil Gibran's and it is clear, judging by the latter's book The Prophet (which was also written in English), that they traveled a similar spiritual path. The Book of Mirdad's depth of primordial, universal insights is matched by the simplicity of its attractive story-line. I can say without exaggeration that it is one of the most important books I have ever read, and one that will join a very short list of others that I keep permanently accessible on my bedside table.

Damn good

The book arrived in excellent condition. However, beyond its physical state, I'd like to discuss the content it offers—the compelling story it narrates, which everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.There are millions of books in the world, but The Book of Mirdad stands out far above any other book in existence. It is unfortunate that very few people are acquainted with it, for the simple reason that it is not a religious scripture. It is a parable, a fiction, but containing oceanic truth. It is a book to be read by the heart, not by mind. It is a book not to be understood but experienced.

Great book

Per chi lo può capire !

Probably only the best book I will ever lay my eyes upon, every paragraph is worth a handful of gold in terms of spiritual value.I don't think I can ever go back to seeing the world through the old smeared lens of illusion ever again after reading it, and I'm barely halfway through... Every second spent reading this is a great pleasure, privilege and just shear joy.If you get this book like blessed OSHO says, you shall drop your suffering like a dirty piece of nasty torn clothing.This also makes for a truly precious gift, the quality and magnitude of which is hard to match. It only has to be read with a certain receptivity and desire for truth.