Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #44621 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Synopsis
Presents a selection of works from twelve spiritual poets, including Rumi, St. Teresa of Avila, Rabia, and St. John of the Cross.

Customer Reviews

A breathtaking collection. Profound and easy to read; Funny and sensuous
I would never have thought that I would enjoy the poems of "12 Sacred Voices from East and West"; I am not that clever.
I picked up this book at a friend's house and couldn't put it down!
The way these poems have been written is deceptively light, even at times sexy and funny; yet with a dazzling impact of gently delivered philosophy.

The "12 Voices" are both male and female, range over time from 717AD to 1649AD and geographically from India to Spain and back again yet share similar thoughts about this world and our relationship with God. I feel this book has a universal truthfulness which cuts straight through the things which sometimes divide us from each other - religion, gender, nationality, history, language.
Now we have to trust that Daniel Ladinsky has translated truthfully and chosen carefully from the wealth of material he had access to. I am not qualified to comment on that but I can say that this book has the feel of being lovingly forged and it feels true in every way.

There are surprises at every turn.

"Since no one really knows anything about God,
those who think they do are just
troublemakers" Rabia of Basra (717 -801)

"The words Guru, Swami, Super Swami, Master, Teacher, Murshid,
Yogi, Priest,
most of those sporting such a title are just peacocks.
The litmus test is:
hold them upside down over a cliff for a few hours.
If they don't wet their
pants
maybe you found a real
one. Kabir (1440 -1518)

I have never been so mentally stretched and transported by joy simultaneously before; that is what this book did to me. I find myself looking at this world and the people I meet differently and more kindly having read this book.

Amazing Collection
A wonderful book, a "must have" to keep by the side of the bed to dip in and out of. It is deep, thought provoking, touching, but also at times very funny and not at all sanctimonious! I highly recommend it.