The Way of Passion: A Celebration of Rumi

As one with a lifelong interest in mysticism, I have been reading Rumi for forty-five years now. Unfortunately, I cannot yet read the originals, and I have had to intuit the sense in some rather bloodless interpretations. Harvey, however, seems to hit it just right. To the degree that we can speak of these things during a person's lifetime, he seems to me to be a genuine mystic himself, passionate and full-blooded as the real thing usually is. Six months ago, I gave a copy of this to a much younger friend who had discerned the via negativa with no external guidance before we met. He rejoices in the book and is delighted to find words that exactly mirror his own untaught discoveries. I do not normally gush over such books. I was rigorously trained in Catholic theology and philosophy, hold a graduate degree in East Asian religion and identify myself as a Christian. I am not expert in Islam, though I know far more than the average reader, having edited one work on Rumi. So I tend to cast a jaundiced eye over most work like this. But if I were forced to reduce my library to a scant hundred volumes, The Way of Passion would still find an honored place. Rumi, though heterodox like all mystics, spoke powerfully not only to the Sufis of his time but to orthodox Muslims, Jews and Christians. Though Harvey certainly does not rank with Rumi, his interpretation can speak meaningfully to all persons of good will who do not barricade themselves behind denominational lines. On the basis of this book alone, I would read anything that Harvey writes.

This is my favourite book in the whole world. I bought my first copy in 1996 and keep rereading the book. It has saved me.I love Rumi and I love A Harvey.

This is not a book to be read quickly. Andrew Harvey is a deep thinker and time is required to read and reread so much of it even though he does himself go back to Rumi after giving his own thoughts.

Andrews passion comes rushing out of his text. Had the pleasure of seeing him in Sydney what he writes truley lives in his life. Great book and mny insights into Rumi and the magic he provided the world

I was sorta disappointed when I got this book. The reviewer is good, but ... I was expecting more actual poetry.

The book inspires with the blaze of truth and the beauty of Rumi's words...each poem is an ayat, a sign of the sacredness of life

excellent product and delivery

.THE EGO MOURNS / THE SPIRIT LAUGHSif this phrase frightens you YET lures you;you are ready for this book.

Excellent

Ce beau livre est très littéraire et exprime beaucoup de passion. Le lire c'est déjà faire un bout de "chemin".