Customer Reviews

The Music of Life

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This is a book that contains so much wisdom that it must be read more than once. For any musician who feels there is a spiritual component to what they do, this book is inspirational, thought-provoking, and illuminating. Ultimately, the concepts are universal and can be applied by anyone. It seems that Khan's concept of Sufi mysticism eschews specific religious orientation and instead utilizes the common threads between all of the world's spiritual traditions to illustrate his points. This is a must-read for anyone looking to broaden their perspective, challenge their long-held beliefs, prioritize their lives and understand their true nature. I'm not a New Ager or self-improvement junkie. I just think this is an excellent book.

Hazrat Khan a Sufi master and musician wrote a clear, simple, and fascinating read of music, the voice, breath, and healing from the point of view of a mystic, but encompassing scientific aspects as well.

This is a Sufi, mystical view of music & art, but, p. iv. "much of the material in this book originally appeared in...`The Sufi Message of Hazrat Inayat Khan.' Additional sections were taken from...unpublished lectures." The author, leader of Western Sufism (after moving from India) & guru to Samuel Lewis, alludes to many religions (in a positive way) but IMHO emphasizes India & extols Sanskrit. Since Moslem Pakistan was part of India under British rule, the author was more acquainted with Islam, Hinduism, & Christianity. He infers that Sufism is more universal than religions, & he has a positive view of science.

His descriptions of vibration are reminiscent of Rosicrucian teachings. He points out the similarity between the words Sufi & Sofia (Wisdom) & shares some profound insights & well-turned phrases, e.g.:
p. 161: "Psychology is the higher alchemy, & one must not study it only without practicing it.
p. 231: There is a saying among the Hindus that the tree that bears much fruit bows low.
p. 305: Balance is life & the lack of it is death. p. 318: Many live & few think." Tibetan Buddhist teachings describe mind as being like a mirror; IMHO he improves on this metaphor: pp. 238-9: "A reflector is needed behind the light in order to direct the light fully...Psychologically, the power of mind must act as a reflector." Further, p. 245: "There is a saying, `What you are speaks louder than what you say'" which I had heard 1st on The Mary Tyler Moore show on TV many years ago.

He's also practical & down-to-earth--p. 280: "A person who does not get angry once in a while does not live. It is human to have all kinds of minor faults; the joy is in overcoming these faults." Despite its beauty & profundity, this book does, IMHO, have some faults as well. In his great enthusiasm, the author frequently uses hyperbole, over-generalizes, inserts superstitious beliefs, & violates the Non-Allness Principle (i.e. uses words like "all, always, never, every"--such that a single exception negates an assertion: e.g. one albino elephant negates the statement `all elephants are gray'). Nevertheless, his apparent naiveté can be endearing. Overall, this is a valuable book for mystically minded folk esp. for someone interested in the mystical/spiritual value of music (singing, playing & dancing) & the arts.

For all those musicians and music lovers who want to know the depth and importance of music, this is a must read. Hazrat Inayat Kahn devulges the deepest secrets of music and music making, and fills the reader with an understanding of how music itself is the building block of life. As a musician, I have bought at least ten copies of this book to give to friends. It is a must read for those interested in understanding the value of music in our lives.

This book goes into great detail of the creation of all things as how every thing is connected. It is writing in a way that the simple mind can grasp it.I was amazed at the revelation he had. He died in 1927 at the age of 45. He said some things that are just now coming to light in the church today. However, I would not recomend this book for someone that is a babe in there spiritual walk for fear of going to far in worshipping the wrong thing. They have to realize who God really is!

This is an excellent book on Mystical Esotericism and Metaphysics. It is certainly a most worthy addition to any library and I highly recommend it.