Quotes From "The Sufis" By Idries Shah

The function of a nutrient is to become transmuted, not to leave unaltered traces. Idries Shah

It is axiomatic that the attempt to become a Sufi through a desire for personal power as normally understood will not succeed. Idries Shah

The Way of the Sufis cannot be understood by means of the intellect or by ordinary book learning. Idries Shah

Take the wheat, not the measure in which it is contained Idries Shah

I am an idol worshipper; for I understand what idol worship means, and the idolater does not. Idries Shah

The basic urge toward mysticism is never, in the unaltered man, clear enough to be recognized for what it is. Idries Shah

Among roses, be a rose, among thorns, be a thorn Idries Shah

A Sufi school comes into being in order to flourish and disappear, not to leave traces in mechanical ritual, or anthropologically survivals. Idries Shah

Deep in the sea are riches beyond compare. But if you seek safety, it is on the shore. Idries Shah

When you are still fragmentated, lacking certainty – what difference does it make what your decisions are? Idries Shah

Sufism is known by means of itself. Idries Shah

The sight of God in woman is the most perfect of all." Ibn Arabi. Idries Shah

The practice of the Sufis is too sublime to have a formal beginning, Idries Shah

Sufism is transmitted by means of the human exemplar, the teacher. Idries Shah

If you will not reprove yourself, ’ Saadi says, ‘you will not welcome reproof from another. Idries Shah

Like the bat, the Sufi is asleep to 'things of the day' - the familiar struggle for existence which the ordinary man finds all-important - and vigilant while others are asleep. In other words, he keeps awake the spiritual attention dormant in others. That 'mankind sleeps in a nightmare of unfulfillment' is a commonplace of Sufi literature Idries Shah

He who sleeps on the Road will lose either his hat or his head. Idries Shah

The Sufis say, "This is not a religion; it is religion Idries Shah

Sufism is the essence of all religions. Idries Shah

He who is fortunately enlightened [the Sufi]Knows that sophistry is from the devil and love from Adam. Idries Shah

It is necessary to note, " says Rumi, "that opposite things work together, even though nominally opposed" (Fihi Ma Fihi). Idries Shah

The pathways into Sufic thinking are, it is traditionally said, almost as varied as the number of Sufis in existence. Idries Shah

The totality of life cannot be understood, so runs Sufi teaching, if it is studied only through the methods which we use in everyday living. Idries Shah

Practise your knowledge, for knowledge without practice is a body without life Idries Shah

The secret protects itself. It is found only in the spirit and practice of the Work. Idries Shah

Before garden, vine or grape was in the world, " writes one, "our soul was drunken with immortal wine. Idries Shah

Until you can understand illogicality, and the meaningfulness of it, shun the Sufis except for limited, precise, self-evident services. Idries Shah

The Apparent is the Bridge to the Real Idries Shah

Sufism, in one definition, "is" human life. Idries Shah

Sufism, the "secret tradition, " is not available on the basis of assumptions which belong to another world, the world of intellect. Idries Shah

Scholars of the East and West have heroically consecrated their whole working lives to making available, by means of their own disciplines, Sufi literary and philosophical material to the world at large. In many cases they have faithfully recorded the Sufis' own reiteration that the Way of the Sufis cannot be understood by means of the intellect or by ordinary book learning. Idries Shah

It is the message, not the man, which is important to the Sufis. Idries Shah

The sufis believe that they can experience something more complete. Idries Shah