Ibn Sına and mysticism

Book Description

This scholarly exploration delves into the mystical dimensions of one of history's most influential Islamic philosophers, Ibn Sina, known in the West as Avicenna. Drawing from the fourth section of his masterwork "Remarks and Admonitions," which the philosopher himself called "the cream of the truth," author Shams Constantine Inati presents both rigorous analysis and fresh translation of these profound spiritual teachings.

The book examines Ibn Sina's understanding of three essential mystical themes: the true nature of human happiness, the spiritual stages experienced by those who seek divine knowledge, and the extraordinary signs that manifest in individuals who glimpse the universe's hidden secrets. According to Ibn Sina's vision, the highest human aspiration involves gaining knowledge of the eternal aspects of existence, particularly understanding the divine nature, as this alone secures genuine happiness and spiritual fulfillment.

While Ibn Sina acknowledges that permanent mystical knowledge remains beyond human reach during earthly existence, he describes how temporary glimpses of this wisdom can produce remarkable abilities that others might consider supernatural. Inati's work includes comprehensive analysis alongside careful translation, making these medieval insights accessible to contemporary readers seeking to understand the intersection of philosophy and mysticism.

The author contextualizes these teachings within Ibn Sina's broader philosophical framework, offering readers a window into the sophisticated spiritual psychology of this Persian master whose influence shaped both Islamic and Western thought for centuries.