Learning How to Learn: Psychology and Spirituality in the Sufi Way (Compass) [Paperback]

Idries Shah (Author), Doris Lessing (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Compass | Publication Date: September 1, 1996

In this ideal introduction to Sufi wisdom, Shah illustrates how traditional Sufi concepts can resolve our social, psychological, and spiritual problems, drawing on classic texts, the Eastem parables of Jesus, and encounters with contemporary teachers, students, and journalists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... a textbook of method and attitude." -- Psychology Today, January 1979

"... astonishing in its pioneer content and treatment of human problems." -- World Future Studies Federation Newsletter, October 1978

"Bracing and often shocking ... a brisk and informed commonsense at its highest level." -- Books and Bookmen

"Certain irresistible keys keep the reader on the edge of the seat...marks the watershed in studies of the mind." -- Psychology Today- CHOICE OF THE MONTH, September 1978

"Packed with important information." -- New Society

About the Author

As the urgency of our global situation becomes apparent, more and more readers are turning to the books of Idries Shah (1924-1996) as a way to train new capacities and new ways of thinking. Shah has been described as "the most significant worker adapting classical spiritual thought to the modern world."

Shah was educated in both the East and West, by private tutors and through wide-ranging travel and personal encounters - the series of journeys which characterize Sufi education and development. In keeping with Sufi tradition, his life was essentially one of service. His knowledge and interests appeared limitless, and his activities and accomplishments took place in many different countries and in numerous fields of endeavor.

Shah was Director of Studies of the Institute for Cultural Research, an educational organization sponsoring interdisciplinary and crosscultural studies of human thought; a founding member of the Club of Rome; a Governor of the Royal Humane Society and the Royal Hospital and Home for Incurables; and the founder of publishing house Octagon Press.

Shah's landmark book, "The Sufis", invited readers to approach Sufi ideas and test them out. The evident and common sense made it clear that here was a sane, authoritative voice in the wilderness of the gobbledegookish mysticism of the sixties. The lively, contemporary books on traditional psychologies, literature, philosophy and Sufi thought that followed established a broad historical and cultural context for Sufi thought and action. These have so far sold over 15 million copies in 12 languages worldwide and have been awarded many prizes. They have been reviewed by The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Times, The Tribune, The Telegraph, and numerous other international journals and newspapers.

University and college courses throughout the world are employing Shah's books, or works based on them, in a wide variety of disciplines including sociology, psychology and literature.

In 1969, Idries Shah was awarded the Dictionary of International Biography's Certificate of Merit for Distinguished Service to Human Thought. Other honors included a Two Thousand Men of Achievement award (1971), Six First Prizes awarded by the UNESCO International Book Year (1972), and the International Who's Who in Poetry's Gold Medal for Poetry (1975).

According to his obituary in the London Daily Telegraph "it is impossible to assess his influence, and his legacy is incalculable".

He was, it is said, the Sufi Teacher of the Age.

"The most interesting books in the English language." Saturday Review

"A major psychological and cultural event of our time." Psychology Today

"One is immediately forced to use one's mind in a new way." New York Times

The instrumental function of Shah's work is now well established among people from all walks of life. Stockbrokers, scientists, lawyers, managers, writers, physicians, and diplomats have found Shah's literature for human development "extraordinary".

"It presents a blueprint of the human mental structure." Robert Ornstein, Ph.D.

"Extremely useful in teaching students about management and computers." Thomas Malone, MIT

"Idries Shah provides the unique perspective that allows us to assess real motivations and social biases in a more accurate light." E. Neilsen, Attorney at Law --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 302 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140195130
• ISBN-13: 978-0140195132
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #340,953 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Introductory overview of Sufism, learning & consciousness, February 11, 1998

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning How to Learn: Psychology and Spirituality in the Sufi Way (Compass) (Paperback)

Learning How to Learn is for those who wish to learn more about Sufism or eastern psychologies, or who simply wish to have a better grasp on their own consciousness. It presents a fresh viewpoint on human psychology, learning and spirituality. The author illustrates that much of what we consider to be human thought is in reality little more than chains of habit or conditioning. Much of the book is in a question and answer format, presenting a comprehensive introduction to Sufic thought.

As with all of Shah's books, this one is provocative. You begin to see the operation of automatic assumptions in your life, and you start to ask yourself some challenging questions: Am I really interested in learning, or or am I more interested in gaining attention, approval, reassurance, recognition, power, comfort, etc.? Shah presents illustrations, stories and anecdotes that help you see yourself more clearly. For example, "If you want to assess someone, look at what he does, and ignore his protestations of 'being serious' - at least for the moment. If he is acting seriously, you will be more inclined to accept his claim to be serious. If he is only saying it, no matter how strongly he may believe it, we can only conclude that he has little or no idea of what he is really doing, and ... he is first in need of elementary instruction in straight thinking."

One of Shah's goals is to present the many sidedness and relevance of Sufic thought. He points out that Sufic instruction is highly individualized: What may be useful for one person, at a given time, in particular circumstances may well be inappropriate or even damaging for someone else, or at a different time, or in different circumstances. This may be contrasted with guruist approaches where one exercise or course of study is recommended for all comers.

Shah is not trying to sell us a new set of rituals. He presents no panacea. He is not recruiting people to become dervish dancers or eastern scholars. He is not calling anyone to come and sit at his feet (rather the reverse, actually), nor even to send their money.

Here he is presenting an overview of knowledge that is needed to become able to see fully, think clearly, act wisely, and attain one's full human potentiality. He illustrates that there often is considerable distance between those who actually are prepared to learn and those who merely believe they are. A first step in getting control of your learning is taken by recognizing the automatic assumptions and habitual reactions we all have that interfere with our growth and development. After we learn how to observe these, we can begin to break free from them.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important book, July 12, 1998

By 

Jerrold Richards (out in the beautiful Columbia Gorge) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Learning How to Learn: Psychology and Spirituality in the Sufi Way (Compass) (Paperback)

Essential, readable, based on common sense. Einstein had the insight that we must change how we think or destroy ourselves. This book indicates how. As one of many examples, the chapter on attention-exchange can be put to immediate practical use. The book sets a new standard of definition for the term "expertise" in the fields of psychology and the social sciences. I am guessing that this book will be treasured not just for years, but for centuries.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best introduction to advanced esoteric psychology today., August 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Learning How to Learn: Psychology and Spirituality in the Sufi Way (Compass) (Paperback)

If I were forced to recommend one single book to practicing students of esoteric philiosophies, this would be the book. In fact, I've taught classes and workgroups using this book as the primer. I consider this Shah's masterwork, and the stimulus of a turning point in my own practice.