Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an excellent book for someone seeking information about Sufism, about spiritual practice, or simply about how to live as a fully present spiritual being in our world. The chapters are short, digestible chunks in clearly written language, and include excerpts from Jelalludin Rumi's extradordinary poetry, as well as Helminski's wisdom garnered from more than two decades of Sufi study, practice, and leadership. This book balances the practical and the beautiful, and shows the sacredness inherent in human life. Someone who is remembering his or her connection to God, or wants to know how to remember that remembrance, will find "Living Presence" both useful and a joy to read. I highly recommend this book for anyone, both absolute beginners and those further along the path. A definite thumbs up!

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 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.

There are different things you can do with your time and different things you can read that would help you in some way. After reading a few chapters of this book you would become closer to reality and start to understand true worth and meaning of ... everything INVOLUNTARILY.

Kabir does a good job in presenting some of the basic information on Sufi mindfulness. However, if you have spent any time becoming familiar with other contemplative traditions (Buddhism) or practices (meditation) then this book will not have that much to offer. Much of what the author says are common themes in other approaches besides Sufism. Other Sufi authors such as Hazrat Inayat Khan or Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee may be better reads to get a deeper understanding of the perspectives unique to Sufism.

All traditional teachings have their own peculiarities that derive from the times they were born; this often makes the reading of original texts a difficult task, sometimes boring. Helminski writes in the language of our time; his book is a masterpiece of 'seeing Sufism in perspective' and being able to express it in written form. Living Presence gives a wide and realistic view of spirituality.

Gurdjieff influence is strong: those familiar with him will find the book a good summary of his teaching; there is no better one written with the eyes of Sufism. When we approch Unity the differences disappear and the Ways look very similar!

This book is a treasure. I found it in the library several years ago and ended up buying multiple copies. Its wisdom is subtle. As my spiritual life has evolved over the years, I have returned to this book time and time again, finding that it further clarified the process of growth I was experiencing. Kabir Helminski speaks about the inward journey in simple terms, but the understanding is rich. From describing the power of conscious awareness to discussing the difficulties of the spiritual journey, I have always found valuable insight whenever I open the pages of this book. It goes far beyond mere intellectual understanding, helping me access a deeper wisdom and an experience of Presence that is difficult to explain to those who have yet to experience it. Kabir Helminski's explanations of this path of spiritual evolution have brought clarity and calm. I have found Living Presence to be a trustworthy companion on my spiritual journey over the years, one I return to over and over again.

the book leads the reader from the apparent ,which we all call and understand as real to that understanding which is indeed real and the very essence of life on this earth. a must for any one seeking a true understanding of LIFE

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 was preoccupied by thousands of "brain currents" or random thoughts and couldn't make my mind in peace for a single moment. Life seemed to me only suffering and struggling. Until I read "Living Presence". It answers all the questions I have in my mind for years and provides practical approaches to get to a higher self and a peaceful life. I am becoming more and more out of myself and enjoying everything happening around me.