The Inner Life - by Hazrat Inayat Khan (Paperback)

About the Book

"Three classic essays on the spiritual life by the beloved teacher who brought Sufism to the West"--Cover.

Book Synopsis

Hazrat Inayat Khan's The Inner Life, a collection of essays and aphorisms, focuses on balance and harmony, presenting a unique perspective for navigating the dualities of existence and emphasizing the importance of fulfilling one's duties to others and to the divine. Through a blend of wisdom and practical guidance, this book offers a roadmap for those seeking a deeper understanding of their inner selves and the essence of the Sufi path.

Readers will gain invaluable insight into the transformative power of love, detachment, and spiritual initiation. Inayat Khan's teachings encourage individuals to clear emotional and moral debts, embrace a holistic approach to life, and foster a genuine relationship with the divine. By harmonizing inner aspirations with outer actions, he indicates, one can achieve a fuller, more meaningful existence, enriched by the virtues of love, compassion, and understanding.

Hazrat Inayat Khan's timeless wisdom and eloquent prose provide a beacon of light for those seeking spiritual awakening, offering a compelling guide to realizing one's true essence. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Islam's mystical tradition, which Inayat Khan first brought to the West. His special ability to convey the essence of the Sufi path remains unsurpassed, which readers will glean in his presentation of a path that engages with the world in a more profound and compassionate way.

From the Back Cover

The joy of this discovery of God everywhere and in all things infuses the writings of Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan (1882-1927), the Indian teacher who first brought Sufism - Islam's mystical tradition - to the Western world. Though Sufism's popularity has continued to grow in the time since he lived and taught, and many other wonderful teachers have come and gone, Inayat Khan's special ability to convey the essence of the Sufi path remains unsurpassed. This book contains three of Inayat Khan's essays, taken from among his voluminous collected works: "The Inner Life", "Sufi Mysticism", and "The Path of Initiation and Discipleship". It also includes a previously unpublished essay, "The Path of the Mystic", and selected aphorisms.

Review Quotes

"Few writers have been as important to the understanding of Islamic mysticism as Hazrat Inayat Khan . . . These writings are an eloquent introduction to a spiritual path that encourages seekers to discover their inner spirituality amidst the business of everyday life."--Publishers Weekly

"Inayat Khan is masterful, patient, and exacting in teaching the way of 'getting to the center of life."--Yoga Journal

"Inayat Khan brought one of the strongest and sweetest lineages from India to the West: the music and open heart of Sufism as it blends with Persian poetry and Western intellect. He is a source and a great joy."--Coleman Barks, author of Open Secret and The Essential Rumi

About the Author

Hazrat Inayat Khan was trained as a musician and a Sufi of the Chishti order and gave concert tours of Indian classical music in the United States and Europe.