Living Presence: The Sufi Path to Mindfulness and the Essential Self

Kabir Helminski Paperback 9780143130130 Revised 25th anniversary edition of the classic work on Sufism In Sufism, presence is the state of heartful awareness that allows us to open to ever more subtle experiences of meaning, inspiration, and beauty. It is the key to self-knowledge and transformation. It is through presence that we can connect with the Divine, and the Divine can live through us. In Living Presence, Kabir Helminski lays out the basic principles of Sufism, and how these ideas can lead to the experience of presence. In this inspiring work, readers will learn how to cultivate presence in their lives through finding a balance between the outer stimuli of the world and our in ner reactions to them, learning about the parallels between ancient spiritual wisdom and modern psychological knowledge, and meditation and contemplation to discover more meaning in daily life. With unique clarity, this book describes how presence can be developed to vastly improve our lives. Drawing on the work of the beloved Sufi poet Rumi, as well as traditional material and personal experience, this book integrates the ancient wisdom of Sufism with the needs of contemporary life. Completely revised and updated for its twenty-fifth an anniversary, this edition of Living Presence offers a wisdom that is both universal and practical. Contents Presence 1 - The City of Separation 2 - Soul Work, Reflecting Spirit 3 - Self, Heart, and Spirit 4 - Creative Energy and Human Capacities 5 - Balancing the Outer and the Inner 6 - The Power of Being 7 - Voluntary Attention 8 - Meditation: The Refinement of Attention 9 - The Tyranny of the False Self 10 - Care of the Soul 11 - Conscience 12 - The Essential Self 13 - Befriending the Ego 14 - Polishing the Mirror of Awareness 15 - Listening Within 16 - The Dance of Personality 17 - Gathering the Fragmented Self 18 - Mysteries of the Body 19 - Faithfulness and Gracefulness 20 - The Alchemy of Effort 21 - Aim and Self-Knowledge 22 - Emancipation from Fear 23 - Suffering: Imaginary and Real 24 - Overcoming Self-Centeredness 25 - Die Before You Die 26 - Freedom of the Soul 27 - What We Love We Will Become 28 - Love the Transformer 29 - The Religion of Love 30 - Worship: Contact with the Infinite 31 - Refining the Psyche 32 - Service Within the Divine Milieu 33 - What Sufism Is