Living Presence: A Sufi Way to Mindfulness & the Essential Self

What drew me to this book was that my teacher Cynthia Bourgeault referred more often to quotes in this piece than any other single sources: "We are knee deep in a river, searching for water;" "make all your cares into a singe care, the care for being present, will be relieved of all care by that Presence;" and "the Infinite One was a hidden treasure that longed to be known, and it created the seen and unseen worlds in order that its treasure may be discovered." The main message of this gently and beautifully written book is that the key to life is letting go of the small self and finding satisfaction in the Living Presence of the Infinite One. Much of Cynthia's teachings clearly emerge out of a Sufi sensibility, which seems easily compatible with the inner work traditions across the globe. I continue to return to this book to reconsider its wisdom in all its understatement and humility.

This book deals with more than Sufism per se. It is an distillation of ancient spiritual psychologies as applied to todays world and needs. Helminski draws deeply from the Gurdjieff 4th Way traditon, Zen and Sufism. But mostly the 4th Way - if you've read In Search of the Miraculous, Views from the Real World you'll see the parallels.The insights into the human condition and what needs to be done about it are excellent and is a very good primer into spiritual psychologies. They apply across religous boundries and would be of great use to anyone who is contemplating pursuing an spiritual path. Especially the western religious traditons were the concept of an spiritual psychology is all but lost or not understood.The reason I did not give it 5 stars is that it is an primer and not an how to book. Though any decent book on Vipassana style meditation will help here - which really forms the foundation for what Helminski is talking about in the book.

Helminski is skillfully articulate and concise in conveying complex, Divine truths. This book has offered me what I feel has been missing from much of the modern mindfulness philosophy I've been exposed to in the past couple of years, which is the deep spiritual reality of God that is part and parcel of witnessing the world and the self. As one other review mentioned, this is indeed a book for life, to be read and re-read as we traverse new experiences and a new self as a consequence of living.

After reading this book for the 3rd time, I realized I would be remiss to not appreciate it publicly. The author comprehensively spans the diverse aspects of "The Work" in short, to the point, and effectively essential teachings which are the book's chapters. No doubt, I will reread the book yet again whenever I am called to remember not only what is essential, but also that love/Heart also is a path to the nondual.

Helminski presents the Sufi path in a clear concise and most helpful way. I am a contemplative Christian and found this book to be consistent with all the teachings of Christ, and of the Apostles. Christianity has been westernized--and this book reminds me that indeed it was and is a belief system with definite Middle Eastern roots. Helminski is a devout follower of Rumi and the joy, focus and essential teachings of Mohamed, and of Jesus Christ are given respect and credit. Sufism is transcendent and encompasses so many other paths. This book is awakening and enlightment. Read it, re-read it and read it again.

This book definitely satisfied my main goal for ordering it: to learn the Sufi approach to spirituality. I found that the approach followed by Kabir Helminski seems true to the Perennial Tradition. Helminski is very readable, clear, and inspiring.

This book will either touch you profoundly or not at all. There is no in between. If you are open and seeking a spiritual path, you owe it to yourself to try this book.

This book is beautifully written and worth reading... it explains the sufi journey in a very easy to understand way. The journey involves purification of the heart which takes one slowly into the realm of Divine Love and to the joy that abides in the heart.

I'm new to this but this book is written in such detail. I'm absolutely in awe. I feel blessed to have chosen to read this book. I've experienced certain aspects and can directly relate to it but there is still some aspects that are very vague. I'm definitely going to read this a few more times.

I bought this after reading hidden treasures by camile helminski which I love. This is beautiful too and i really enjoyed it. If you love this then may i recommend reading one of sheikh nazims books which are full of heavenly wisdom in the simplest most beautiful and easily digestable form- a true heart path

This is a gem , what can i say! And the language is simple to understand. Thank you Kabir

I appreciated the way the author attempted to use contemporary language to discuss Sufism. Personally I also resonated with his views and the fact that he made his way to Sufism via Zen Buddhism.

If you what a holistic approach to mindfulness this is the book to read!