Thinkers of the East – Studies in Experientialism
Encyclopedia
First published in 1971, Thinkers of the East was one of several books of Eastern
practical philosophy study materials selected and arranged by Idries Shah
for a contemporary readership.
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, Thinkers of the East can be read as part of a whole course of study.
between thinkers and questioners, mingled with occasional extracts, stories and legends
(including "The Legend of Nasrudin"). The preface asserts that the book’s contents are "arranged in a manner commanded by the tradition and not by superficialist obsessional arranging."
As the book's subtitle Studies in Experientialism suggests, these illustrate Sufi
thinking in action, rather than in theory. On the principle that it is for the reader to dwell, not the author, the narratives are related with a deliberate economy: enough detail
to provoke thought, but too little to flood it.
, a long-time student of Shah's work, reviewed the book in the New York Times Book Review, noting that terms like "worship", "the fear of God" etc. could "be seen as technical terms, with a precise meaning." The Stanford University
professor Robert Ornstein
, commenting in Psychology Today
, commented that this was "perhaps the most explicit book on the nature and function of Sufi teaching – and perhaps the most remedial."
practical philosophy study materials selected and arranged by Idries Shah
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...
for a contemporary readership.
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, Thinkers of the East can be read as part of a whole course of study.
Summary
Thinkers of the East consists of a series of anecdotes and brief recorded conversationsbetween thinkers and questioners, mingled with occasional extracts, stories and legends
(including "The Legend of Nasrudin"). The preface asserts that the book’s contents are "arranged in a manner commanded by the tradition and not by superficialist obsessional arranging."
As the book's subtitle Studies in Experientialism suggests, these illustrate Sufi
thinking in action, rather than in theory. On the principle that it is for the reader to dwell, not the author, the narratives are related with a deliberate economy: enough detail
to provoke thought, but too little to flood it.
Reception
The Times Literary Supplement noted that the book would mainly "appeal to the modern man who finds current materialistic outlooks and attitudes insufficient to his needs." Doris LessingDoris Lessing
Doris May Lessing CH is a British writer. Her novels include The Grass is Singing, The Golden Notebook, and five novels collectively known as Canopus in Argos....
, a long-time student of Shah's work, reviewed the book in the New York Times Book Review, noting that terms like "worship", "the fear of God" etc. could "be seen as technical terms, with a precise meaning." The Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
professor Robert Ornstein
Robert Ornstein
Dr. Robert Evan Ornstein is a psychologist, researcher and writer.He has taught at the Langley Porter Neuropsychiatric Institute, based at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco, and been professor at Stanford University and chairman of the Institute for the Study of Human...
, commenting in Psychology Today
Psychology Today
Psychology Today is a bi-monthly magazine published in the United States. It is a psychology-based magazine about relationships, health, and related topics written for a mass audience of non-psychologists. Psychology Today was founded in 1967 and features articles on such topics as love,...
, commented that this was "perhaps the most explicit book on the nature and function of Sufi teaching – and perhaps the most remedial."