The Dermis Probe
Encyclopedia
The Dermis Probe is a book by the writer Idries Shah
published Octagon Press
in 1970. A paperback edition was published in 1989 and again in 1993. The stories presented in the book are also available in an audio format.
Shortly before he died, Shah stated that his books form a complete course that could fulfil the function he had fulfilled while alive. As such, The Dermis Probe can be read as part of a whole course of study.
The Dermis Probe is a collection of teaching stories
and proverbs drawn from Sufi tradition. The book also contains a section of supporting notes;
"These notes are of varying subject: sometimes amplification of the theme, sometimes book references, sometimes biographical; some stories, too, have no note at all, though not many, being either self-explanatory or – in Sufi style – entities in themselves which should not be interfered with."
The title-piece is a modern retelling of the Blind men and an elephant
published by Sanai
of Ghazna in Afghanistan
. This story was later published by Sanai's student, the poet and mystic Jalaludin Rumi in his Masnavi
in the latter half of the thirteenth century.
Shah's adaptation begins with a conference of scientists, from different fields of expertise, presenting their distorted conclusions on the material which the camera is focused upon. As the camera slowly zooms out it becomes clear for the first time that the material under examination is the hide of an African elephant. The words 'The Parts Are Greater Than The Whole' then appear on the screen.
This retelling formed the script for a short four minute film by the animator Richard Williams.The film was chosen as an Outstanding Film of the Year and was exhibited at the London
and New York
film festivals.
review commenting that; “Shah's materials take people by surprise...such a sharp angle to our current conventions...like a peep-show into a world which most people do not imagine exists.”
The New York Times
book review wrote that “...The Dermis Probe develops the theme of patterns of material – arrangements: it is necessary to remember that the position of a story and its relation to others – which may be in other volumes – can be important.”
Idries Shah
Idries Shah , also known as Idris Shah, né Sayed Idries el-Hashimi , was an author and teacher in the Sufi tradition who wrote over three dozen critically acclaimed books on topics ranging from psychology and spirituality to travelogues and culture studies.Born in India, the descendant of a...
published Octagon Press
Octagon Press
Octagon Press is a cross-cultural publishing house based in London, UK. It was founded in 1960 by Sufi teacher, Idries Shah to establish the historical and cultural context for his ideas.-Description:Octagon Press published many of Shah's later works...
in 1970. A paperback edition was published in 1989 and again in 1993. The stories presented in the book are also available in an audio format.
Shortly before he died, Shah stated that his books form a complete course that could fulfil the function he had fulfilled while alive. As such, The Dermis Probe can be read as part of a whole course of study.
Content
Teaching stories
Teaching stories is a term used by the writer Idries Shah to describe narratives that have been deliberately created as vehicles for the transmission of wisdom...
and proverbs drawn from Sufi tradition. The book also contains a section of supporting notes;
"These notes are of varying subject: sometimes amplification of the theme, sometimes book references, sometimes biographical; some stories, too, have no note at all, though not many, being either self-explanatory or – in Sufi style – entities in themselves which should not be interfered with."
The title-piece is a modern retelling of the Blind men and an elephant
Blind Men and an Elephant
The story of the blind men and an elephant originated in India from where it is widely diffused. It has been used to illustrate a range of truths and fallacies...
published by Sanai
Sanai
Hakim Abul-Majd Majdūd ibn Ādam Sanā'ī Ghaznavi was a Afghan Sufi poet who lived in Ghazna, in what is now Afghanistan between the 11th century and the 12th century. Some people spell his name as Sanayee. He died around 1131.-Life:...
of Ghazna in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. This story was later published by Sanai's student, the poet and mystic Jalaludin Rumi in his Masnavi
Masnavi
The Masnavi, Masnavi-I Ma'navi or Mesnevi , also written Mathnawi, Ma'navi, or Mathnavi, is an extensive poem written in Persian by Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, the celebrated Persian Sufi saint and poet. It is one of the best known and most influential works of both Sufism and Persian literature...
in the latter half of the thirteenth century.
Shah's adaptation begins with a conference of scientists, from different fields of expertise, presenting their distorted conclusions on the material which the camera is focused upon. As the camera slowly zooms out it becomes clear for the first time that the material under examination is the hide of an African elephant. The words 'The Parts Are Greater Than The Whole' then appear on the screen.
This retelling formed the script for a short four minute film by the animator Richard Williams.The film was chosen as an Outstanding Film of the Year and was exhibited at the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
film festivals.
Reception
The Dermis Probe was favourably received, The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
review commenting that; “Shah's materials take people by surprise...such a sharp angle to our current conventions...like a peep-show into a world which most people do not imagine exists.”
The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
book review wrote that “...The Dermis Probe develops the theme of patterns of material – arrangements: it is necessary to remember that the position of a story and its relation to others – which may be in other volumes – can be important.”