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The Spiritual Practices of Rumi: Radical Techniques for Beholding the Divine (Edition, New of Rumi: Gazing at the Beloved) — Occult Philosophy

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The Spiritual Practices of Rumi: Radical Techniques for Beholding the Divine (Edition, New of Rumi: Gazing at the Beloved)

Name: The Spiritual Practices of Rumi: Radical Techniques for Beholding the Divine (Edition, New of Rumi: Gazing at the Beloved)
Price: 14.44 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Johnson, Will
ISBN: 9781594772009

✍️ Johnson, Will

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review) 159 sold

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Will Johnson meticulously unveils the profound spiritual journey of Jalaluddin Rumi, ignited by his fabled encounter with Shams-i-Tabriz. This book explores the radical, yet deceptively simple, practice they shared: sustained eye-gazing. Through Rumi's own eloquent verses and prose, Johnson illuminates how this direct, intimate beholding served as a potent gateway to ecstatic divine union, transforming the renowned Sufi master. Discover how this ancient, powerful technique can awaken a similar spiritual revelation within yourself.

Johnson, Will

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Occult Philosophy

Praise for this book

“Since meditation is so often seen as a solitary practice, and since so many of our human interactions are superficial avoidance of genuine intimacy, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Because of its meditative nature, and because of its promise of opening the heart and vision to the deeper nature of all around us, it seems especially appropriate for those engaged on the Ovate and Druid paths.”

— Karl Schlotterbeck, Henge of Keltria, May 2008

🏛 Inner Traditions International 📅 2007 📖 192 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781594772009

Fun Fact

Johnson’s "The Spiritual Practices of Rumi" offers a refreshingly direct interpretation of Rumi's mystical awakening, moving beyond academic analysis to present a truly radical, experiential path. While some traditional Rumi scholars might find its focus on a singular practice overly narrow, those seeking practical spiritual tools and a deeper understanding of ecstatic Sufism will find it illuminating. It carves a unique niche by emphasizing the transformative power of intimate beholding, making Rumi's profound wisdom accessible for contemporary practice.

📝 Description: The Spiritual Practices of Rumi: Radical Techniques for Beholding the Divine (Edition, New of Rumi: Gazing at the Beloved)

The secret Rumi found in beholding the Divine in his sacred relationship with Shams-i-Tabriz - Shows how, in 1244, Sufi poet and mystic Jalaluddin Rumi was first brought to a state of ecstatic union with the cosmos and all its creatures - Reveals the radical spiritual practice Rumi formulated in his private retreat with the mendicant seeker Shams-i-Tabriz - Uses the poetry and prose of Rumi to explain how to come face-to-face with the Divine One of the most extraordinary events in the history of Sufism occurred in 1244 when the Sufi poet and mystic Jalaluddin Rumi met a wandering seeker named Shams-i-Tabriz. Upon meeting, the two men immediately went into private retreat together, emerging ninety days later in a transformed condition. In The Spiritual Practices of Rumi, Will Johnson reveals the radical spiritual practice that transpired between Rumi and Shams. To put it simply, they sat and gazed into each other's eyes. Because the eyes are portals to the soul, their sustained gazing formed the basis of a devotional practice that opened the doors to a profoundly ecstatic state of divine union. Johnson draws on the poetry and prose of Rumi to unfold his story. He also explains how one may embark on the practice of intentional gazing to experience the state of ecstatic divine union shared by Rumi and Shams so many centuries ago.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Johnson presents a compelling case for sustained eye-gazing as a potent spiritual technology, drawing richly from Rumi’s verses to illustrate ecstatic union. The approach is refreshing in its directness, offering readers a clear method for accessing deeper states of consciousness. However, it does not suit those who prefer scholarly, historical analysis over practical application or who are skeptical of mystical immediacy. Readers seeking dense academic critique may find the tone too devotional. It is best appreciated by those ready to engage in embodied practice rather than intellectual dissection, making it a niche but powerful resource for active practitioners of contemplative traditions.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a tangible, visceral path to spiritual connection will find profound value in this guide. It is ideal for those who feel disconnected from abstract theological concepts and crave an immediate, experiential encounter with the sacred. By focusing on the radical simplicity of eye-gazing as a gateway to divine union, the book offers a practical method for awakening inner revelation. Those drawn to the story of Rumi’s transformation through Shams-i-Tabriz will appreciate how ancient techniques are presented not just as history, but as living tools. It serves anyone wishing to deepen their capacity for love and presence by beholding the Beloved within others and themselves.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you are drawn to the mystical heart of Sufism, curious about Rumi's personal spiritual evolution beyond his poetry, or seeking direct, experiential paths to divine connection, this book offers profound insights. It's for those ready to explore radical techniques for inner transformation.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Johnson presents a compelling case for sustained eye-gazing as a potent spiritual technology, drawing richly from Rumi’s verses to illustrate ecstatic union. The approach is refreshing in its directness, offering readers a clear method for accessing deeper states of consciousness. However, it does not suit those who prefer scholarly, historical analysis over practical application or who are skeptical of mystical immediacy. Readers seeking dense academic critique may find the tone too devotional. It is best appreciated by those ready to engage in embodied practice rather than intellectual dissection, making it a niche but powerful resource for active practitioners of contemplative traditions.

❓ Frequently asked questions

The book centers on the radical practice of sustained eye-gazing between Rumi and Shams-i-Tabriz, presented as a direct method for achieving ecstatic divine union.

Johnson draws extensively from Rumi's own poetry and prose, using his eloquent expressions to explain the spiritual insights and experiences that arose from his profound connection with Shams.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Transformative Encounter

Johnson meticulously details the pivotal 1244 meeting between Rumi and Shams-i-Tabriz, an event that reshaped Rumi’s spiritual path. The book explores how their immediate, intense connection transcended conventional teacher-student dynamics, leading to a ninety-day retreat that birthed an entirely new form of mystical practice and ignited Rumi’s poetic genius.

Gazing as Devotional Practice

This work reveals the core of Rumi and Shams' shared technique: sustained, direct eye contact. Johnson explains how this intimate, non-verbal communion served as a "portal to the soul," facilitating a profound spiritual resonance. It’s presented not merely as an act of looking, but as a deliberate, radical method for achieving deep inner connection and transcendent states.

Achieving Ecstatic Union

The ultimate aim of this unique practice, as Johnson illustrates, is the experience of divine union—an ecstatic state where the individual perceives their interconnectedness with the cosmos and the divine. The book uses Rumi's own words to guide the reader toward understanding this ultimate dissolution of self into universal consciousness, a direct experience of the Beloved.

📜 Historical context

Rumi's 1244 encounter with Shams-i-Tabriz stands as a watershed moment in Sufi history, marking a profound shift in Rumi's spiritual trajectory from scholar to ecstatic mystic. This book places their unique beholding practice within the broader Sufi tradition of seeking divine proximity, yet highlights its radical departure from more conventional ascetic or devotional methods, offering a direct, interpersonal pathway to union.

📚 Glossary

Sufism
Divine Union
Shams-i-Tabriz

📔 Questions to reflect on

Consider a moment you felt profoundly connected to another person. How did that connection shift your perception of yourself or the world?
If the eyes are indeed "portals to the soul," what might you discover by intentionally gazing into the eyes of someone you trust for an extended period?
Beyond words or actions, what silent practices might open you to a deeper sense of divine presence in your daily life?