Background
Farid ed-Din Attar was born about 1145, in Nishapur, Iran.
(The great 13th century Sufi poet Farid al-Din Attar is re...)
The great 13th century Sufi poet Farid al-Din Attar is renowned as an author of superb short lyrics written in the Persian language. Dealing with themes of love, passion and mysticism, the versions presented in this book are the first sustained offerings of Attar¿s lyric poetry in English. Award-winning Iranian-born poet, Ali Alizadeh, and Persian specialist, Kenneth Avery, have collaborated on this project which aims to bring this remarkably vigorous yet subtle poetry to an English reading audience. The translations are accompanied by the Persian texts themselves, and explanatory notes, and are set in the context of his life and times by an illuminating introductory chapter. An original analysis of Attar¿s poetic language and thought is also offered. Attar, who lived in Nishapur until his death in 1220, was a complex personality, a brilliant storyteller and poet in both lyric and epic forms, and a creative and original Sufi thinker. His ideas range over the whole spectrum of Persian mysticism and religious philosophy, and his writing paved the way for the triumphs of Rumi and Hafiz. His ideas and exquisite verse deserve a wider circulation than has been accorded them until now, and this book seeks to present his poetry in an attractive way.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0980305217/?tag=2022091-20
(A popular book in the Sufi tradition; a fable composed in...)
A popular book in the Sufi tradition; a fable composed in the 12th century by a Persian poet, portraying the resistances to experiences on the spiritual journey & ways of overcoming them. with dustjacket, 2000 clean bright copy
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0826450008/?tag=2022091-20
Theoretician hagiographer poet
Farid ed-Din Attar was born about 1145, in Nishapur, Iran.
Little about Attar is known with certainty. His name (literally, perfume of roses) indicates that, like his father, he was a druggist and followed the calling of a medical man.
Attar wrote over 114 books on Sufism. According to his own writings, Sufism was meant to be a spiritual search for a union with God. This search throughout history has taken many forms, but for Attar it was quite specific. Parallels may be seen with Dante. According to Attar, the spiritual pilgrimage of man brings him through seven successive "valleys. " First is the valley of quest, where ascetic means are adopted; then follows the valley of love, which may be compared to Dante's earthly paradise; then follow the valleys of knowledge, detachment, unity, and amazement; and finally the valley of annihilation of the self is reached. This is the supreme state of divine union with God. Sufism was meant to be an all encompassing effort to live in a meaningful religious frame of mind.
The two best-known works of Attar are Tadhkirat al-Awliya (Memoirs of Saints), a prose work, and Mantik al-Tayr (Conference of the Birds). In Conference all the birds in the world are seeking God, who is called Simurgh. After a long search all but 30 birds perish. When they arrive at their destination, they realize that Simurgh (in Persian the word means 30 birds) is really themselves.
Farid ed-Din Attar died about 1220 fleeing the Mongol hordes under Genghis Khan. Just before his death, Attar met a young poet, Rumi, to whom he gave some of his philosophical poems. Rumi perpetuated and added to the philosophical development of Sufism and the understanding of Attar.
(A popular book in the Sufi tradition; a fable composed in...)
(The great 13th century Sufi poet Farid al-Din Attar is re...)
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Quotations:
"A man whose eyes love opens risks his soul —His dancing breaks beyond the mind's control. "
"To seek death is death's only cure. "