Idries Shah Quotes

The impatient man is his own enemy, he slams the door on his own progress.

~ Idries Shah

The major barrier to understanding is wishful thinking and following that which pleases one.

~ Idries Shah

A Sufi has a right to be served, but he has no right to demand. Maruf Karkhi of Khorasan

~ Idries Shah

Form is useful, but it is secondary.

~ Idries Shah

That which is capable of perceiving objective reality is, in Sufism, the human soul (ruh).

~ Idries Shah

All forms are limited. Some of the limitations are time, place, culture, language.

~ Idries Shah

Careful preparation is necessary before people can perceive something which is there all the time.

~ Idries Shah

The colour of the water seems to be the colour of the glass into which it has been poured'.

~ Idries Shah

If, from time to time, you give up expectation, you will be able to perceive what it is you are getting.

~ Idries Shah

Like the bat, the Sufi is asleep to 'things of the day' - the familiar struggle for existence which the ordinary man finds all-important - and vigilant while others are asleep. In other words, he keeps awake the spiritual attention dormant in others. That 'mankind sleeps in a nightmare of unfulfillment' is a commonplace of Sufi literature

~ Idries Shah

Enlightenment must come little by little - otherwise it would overwhelm.

~ Idries Shah

Sandals. The Sufi teacher Ghulam-Shah was asked what pattern he used in formulating his courses for disciples. He said: 'Barefoot until you can get sandals, sandals until you can manage boots.

~ Idries Shah

People who speak or act in an ordinary fashion are most likely to be those who have been the recipients of higher experiences. But because they do not rage around, wild-eyed, people think that they are very ordinary folk and therefore not aware of anything unknown to the general run of man.

~ Idries Shah

StagesFirst I thought that a Teacher must be right in all things. Then I imagined that my teacher was wrong in many things. Then I realised what was right and what was wrong.What was wrong was to remain in either of the first two stages. What was right was to convey this to everyone.(Ardabili)

~ Idries Shah

When the Higher Man does something worthy of admiration, it is an evidence of his Mastership, not the object of it.

~ Idries Shah

He who sleeps on the Road will lose either his hat or his head.

~ Idries Shah

Before the antidote arrives from Iraq The man with snake-bite will be dead.

~ Idries Shah

The bowl is warmer than the soup.

~ Idries Shah

When tomorrow comes, think tomorrow's thoughts.

~ Idries Shah

There are as many paths to Truth as there are souls of men.

~ Idries Shah

The Sufis say, This is not a religion; it is religion

~ Idries Shah

Sufism is the essence of all religions.

~ Idries Shah

The worst of sages is a visitor of princes, the best of princes is a visitor of sages.

~ Idries Shah

The hearts of the noble are the graves of confidences.

~ Idries Shah

He who is fortunately enlightened [the Sufi]Knows that sophistry is from the devil and love from Adam.

~ Idries Shah

Satisfaction is a treasure which does not decay.Proverb

~ Idries Shah

Nothing can defile the Sufi, and he in fact purifies everything.” Abu-Turab al-Nakhsabi.

~ Idries Shah

Rumi himself once said that counterfeit gold is only to be found because there is such a thing as real gold to be copied.

~ Idries Shah

Hariri says, in his Maqamat: ‘Safety is on the river’s BANK.

~ Idries Shah

The skilled artisan uses the same iron to make a horseshoeAs he does for a polished mirror for the King.

~ Idries Shah

The great poet Hafiz says that you should dye your prayer-carpet with wine if your teacher tells you to do so.

~ Idries Shah

Everything man needs is in the world.

~ Idries Shah

God provides the food, men provide the cooks.

~ Idries Shah

Q: How can I help myself?A: By remembering the proverb: ‘The Path is not to be found anywhere except in human service’, from Saadi.

~ Idries Shah

Ibn El-Arabi wrote, ‘The Teacher is he who hears you, then unveils you to yourself

~ Idries Shah

And Rumi tells us, ‘Soul receives from soul that knowledge, therefore not by book nor from tongue’.

~ Idries Shah

The selection and following of a spiritual guide is the most important duty of a Sufi.

~ Idries Shah

At His door, what is the difference between Moslem and Christian, virtuous and guilty? At his door all are seekers and He the sought.

~ Idries Shah

Saying of the Prophet.Ink and Blood:The ink of the learned is holier than the blood of the martyr.

~ Idries Shah

At His door, what is the difference between Muslim and Christian, virtuous and guilty? At his door all are seekers and He the sought.

~ Idries Shah