Product Details

• Actors: Mystic's Journey
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Wellspring Media
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 1998
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B000009PUZ
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,673 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #5 in	Video > Special Interests > Religion & Spirituality > Islam
  #10 in	Video > Special Interests > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality
  #57 in	Video > Documentary > History > World History & Culture

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Moslems are required to pray five times a day, so Sufis "pray without ceasing," narrator Huston Smith reports in this 25-minute documentary of the Islamic sect, which takes an already rigorous faith to its extreme. In their quest to erase the self completely, the Sufis added tonal singing and a whirling dance, both forbidden in traditional Moslem practice. Noted spiritual filmmaker Elda Hartley captures images of the hypnotic group chants and the spiral dances imitating the solar system with a mesmerizing intensity. Religious author Smith (The World's Religions) delivers poetic, if sometimes stilted, prose guiding the viewer through Iran, North Africa, and India, from mosques through dusty streets and into ancient ruins. Shot in the early 1970s, the documentary is a bit dated in some respects (including political), but the intimate footage and Smith's insider information makes it timeless regarding the basics of Sufi. --Kimberly Heinrichs

From the Back Cover
To most of us, "going in circles" is considered a waste of time. For the Sufi, however, it represents a direct connection to the very heart of God. Acclaimed filmmaker Elda Hartley is joined by author Huston Smith (The Religions of Man) in this revealing look at one of the most mysterious of all religious sects.

Centuries ago, Sufism was formed in reaction to the "worldly" jewels, architecture, and clothing Sufis felt were overcoming Islam. Sufis sought to purify their practice, and to this day, follow a rigorous schedule of prayer, fasting, and study. Many people consider the Sufi the "soul" of the Muslim religion. It is said that where a Muslim prays five times a day, the Sufi prays without ceasing. Smith's fascinating narration provides an in-depth look at Islam--the youngest of the world's religions--and its mystical core. Shot on location from India to Morocco, Hartley breathtaking images feature stunning Muslim art and architecture, rarely seen religious rituals, and the fascinating whirling dervishes of Turkey, endlessly circling in search of God. 30 minutes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Look to the message and not at the messenger, April 6, 2005

By	Nora R. Hope "Knowledge without ethics is vanity" (PA) - See all my reviews

Elsa Hartley and Huston Smith have providied us all with stunningly beautiful images and gems of wisdom on all their jointly made films. Sufism still has not had a better film made about it, even though this one is rather dusty. Good stuff.

Please, especially ladies in the audience, do not fall in love with Huston Smith. He is happily married. Instead, remember that he is a *messenger* of the great *messages* of the world's religions. You most likely are falling for the wisdom, not (only) the wise man.