Paths to Transcendence: According to Shankara, Ibn Arabi & Meister Eckhart (Spiritual Masters: East and West)

Paths to Transcendence: According to Shankara, Ibn Arabi & Meister Eckhart: According to Shankara, Ibn 'Arabi, and Meister Eckhart (Spiritual Masters) It is a long time since I have read such a clear account of the operating philosophical practice of three spiritual masters from three apparently distinctly different religious traditions. Concision is one of the hallmarks of the writing and yet arguments are presented in a clear and cogent way so that they can be followed, but also reflected upon in order to deepen understanding. At first I thought this was someone's doctoral thesis,but then after a bit, that perception was discarded because of the integrity inherent in the writing. Taking a primary text as a reference point, and supporting it with other references worked very well as it avoided falling into trap of an unecessary profusion of quotes. I got this on my kindle, but will now seek a hard copy version.

Anyone interested in mysticism and transcendence and these three sages from Islam, Hinduism and Christianity should read this book. Not that it is for the novice. By definition, explorations of these sages takes us to the depths of transcendence. What is striking of course is that these sages, from different traditions, often overlap and agree in their views when it comes to Essence and the path of transcendence. This is a scholarly attempt to pull together these similarities in terms of their view of the Divine, the path of transcendence and the post transcendent return. I had come to these teachers quite independently so I was delighted to find a study that that brought them together in this way. The author, reza shan kazemi, has a good insight and understanding of the teachings of these sages and the effort required in absorbing this book is well worth it. I cannot recommend it enough to the serious spiritual pilgrim.