James Winston Morris
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The Reflective Heart: Discovering Spiritual Intelligence in Ibn 'Arabi's 'Meccan Illuminations' Paperback – October 28, 2005
by James Winston Morris (Author)
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 2 ratings
Hardcoverfrom $29.00
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For centuries Ibn ‘Arabi has been considered the “Greatest Master” of Islamic spiritual teaching, but Western readers have only recently had access to his greatest writings. This introduction to Ibn ‘Arabi’s Meccan Illuminations highlights the mysticism and realization of Sufi spiritual life, providing an intellectually penetrating look without requiring specialized knowledge. The development of several key themes and modes of reflection in Ibn ‘Arabi’s spiritual teachings are explored as are the gradually unfolding meanings that distinguish this important clas
Review
"James Morris takes us to the spiritual core of the Islamic tradition, as we come to see the heart as the meeting ground between the Divine and that which is most human in all of us. Here the heart reveals itself as a dynamic transformative faculty, where the discovery of one's own true self is wed to the intimate knowing of God. Those who have yearned after a spiritually powerful introduction—indeed initiation—into Islam have to look no further." —Omid Safi, Colgate University
"No one surpasses James Morris in his ability to make the most sublime and esoteric subjects intelligible and practicable. Among the many gifts of this book is that it highlights for our own time the urgent need for spiritual discernment." —Kabir Helminski, Threshold Foundation
"James Morris presents the Master's explorations in such a way as to develop the reflective dimensions of our hearts. So rather than offer us a commentary, he gifts us with a presentation of Ibn 'Arabi's unique manner of eliciting our awareness of the reality of our self with the universe it mirrors. . . . We are offered ways of appropriating the scriptures given us in our respective traditions. . . .In short, Morris' presentation teaches us how to become apprentices to a spiritual master—in this case, Ibn 'Arabi', and exhibits for us the fruit we many expect from meditation on our own scriptures." —David B. Burrell, Notre Dame University
From the Back Cover
The Reflective Heart is about the ways we gradually discover the deeper significance of all the familiar elements of our everyday life—not just those memorable moments we ordinarily view as "spiritual". Spiritual intelligence—the illuminating interplay of our uniquely individual experience, reflection, and practice—is at the heart of every world religious tradition, and Ibn ‘Arabi is renowned for his ability to communicate the unfolding dimensions of this fundamental human task. His Meccan Illuminations provide a powerful spiritual mirror for each reader’s own experiences, while highlighting those larger perspectives that ultimately give meaning and direction to our life. In this compelling and insightful book, James Morris takes us to the spiritual core of the Islamic tradition, as we come to see the heart as the meeting ground between the Divine and that which is most human in all of us. Here the heart reveals itself as a dynamic and transformative faculty, where the discovery of one’s own true self is wed to the intimate knowing of God. ~ Omid Safi, colgate university No one surpasses James Morris in his ability to make the most sublime and esoteric subjects intelligible and practicable. Among the many gifts of this book is that it highlights for our own time the urgent need for spiritual discernment.
~ Kabir Helminski, threshold society In The Reflective Heart, James Morris provides numerous keys for those who would like to open up their hearts to the vast panorama of spiritual instruction provided by al-Shaykh al-Akbar, "the Greatest Master." No other book demonstrates so clearly the universality of Ibn Arabi’s concerns and their contemporary applicability. A must- read for every serious seeker. ~ William Chittick, suny, stony brook One of the great merits of this book is the way in which this spiritual journey, described with such compelling power through the illuminations granted to Ibn 'Arabi, is made real for all of us. This work is the fruit of a remarkable synthesis between scholarly erudition of the highest calibre and a fundamental orientation towards the spiritual import of Ibn ‘Arabi’s teachings, engaging both the academic and the mystic, the scholar and the seeker.
~ Reza Shahkazemi, iis, london James W. Morris holds the Sharjah Chair of Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter (UK), and has taught Islamic and comparative religious studies at Princeton, Temple, Oberlin, the Sorbonne, and the Institute of Ismaili Studies in Paris and London.
Product details
Publisher : Fons Vitae; Illustrated edition (October 28, 2005)
Language : English
Paperback : 424 pages
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 2 ratings
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Mamazabakaka
3.0 out of 5 stars Reads like a Doctoral DissertationReviewed in the United States on March 13, 2007
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Written on a level of academic achievement probably beyond the scope of non-specialists. But, if you like reading doctoral dissertations, or you're writing your own on this topic, this book's definitely for you.
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5.0 out of 5 stars very reflective book on Ibn Arabi and for spiritual practice in generalReviewed in the United States on May 18, 2019
always fall in love whenever I read this book, again. indeed, the heart is a reflection of His continuously Mercy.
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Fusun Dulger charles
173 reviews · 10 followers
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January 20, 2015
I had the pleasure and the honor to meet personally Professor Morris and hear him talk with great love and knowledge about Ibn Arabi.
So I bought his book. It is not for the faint of heart, a hefty book full of every aspect of Ibn Arabi.
I did find it very scholarly and difficult to read.
If you are able to finish this book, as I did, you will know all there is to know about Ibn Arabi!
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Dina Kaidir
85 reviews · 44 followers
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October 8, 2017
Ibn 'Arabi's work is difficult at best, even for native speakers of Arabic. Having Professor Morris' gentle guidance on "reading" the grand shaykh's Meccan Illuminations has been such a blessing indeed. Being given my own autographed copy has been a blessing twofold. :)
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James Winston Morris
James Winston Morris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | James Winston Morris 1949 (age 73–74) |
| Nationality | American |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | University of Chicago, Harvard University |
| Influences | Seyyed Hossein Nasr[1] |
| Academic work | |
| Institutions | Boston College, University of Exeter |
| Notable works |
|
James Winston Morris (born 1949) is an American Islamic theologian, currently a professor in the Department of Theology at Boston College. Before teaching at Boston College, he held the Sharjah Chair of Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter.[2]
Biography and Academic background[edit]
He received a BA in Civilizational Studies from the University of Chicago in 1971, and a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University in 1980, for a thesis "Ibn Masarra: A Reconsideration of the Primary Sources". He also studied at the University of Strasbourg, the American University in Cairo, the Iranian Academy of Philosophy, and the Center for the Study of Civilizations, Tehran. He taught at the Princeton University, Oberlin College, Temple University, and the Institute of Ismaili Studies in Paris and London. He has been a visiting professor at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (Paris), University of Malaya, and University of Sarajevo. He specialized in medieval Islamic philosophy, especially in the philosophy of Ibn 'Arabī.[3]
Publications[edit]
Books[edit]
- Ostad Elahi on Spirituality in Everyday Life. Kuala Lumpur: Centre for Civilizational Dialogue, University of Malaya, 2009.
- From Ethics and Devotion to Spiritual Realization: Ibn 'Arabī on 'What Is Indispensable For the Spiritual Seeker', Monograph, pp. viii + 37. Kuala Lumpur: University of Malaysia, Centre for Cilisational Dialogue, 2007.
- Knowing the Spirit, by Nûr Alî-Shâh Elâhi, translated by James Morris ( [S.l.]: State university of New York press, 2007.
- The Reflective Heart: Discovering Spiritual Intelligence in Ibn Arabi's 'Meccan Illuminations'. Louisville, KY: Fons Vitae of Kentucky, Inc, 2005. OCLC 535507748
- Orientations: Islamic Thought in a World Civilization. Sarajevo: El-Kalem, 2001 and Cambridge : Archetype, 2004.
- The Wisdom of the Throne: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Mulla Sadra. Princeton, Princeton University Press, 1981.
- Review, Journal of the American Oriental Society Oct. - Dec. 1983, vol. 103, no. 4, p. 767-768
- Review, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, 1983, vol. 46, no. 1, p. 149-
Articles[edit]
- "The Spiritual Ascension: Ibn ʿArabī and the Miʿrāj Part I" Journal of the American Oriental Society, Oct. - Dec. 1987, vol. 107, no. 4, p. 629-652
- "The Spiritual Ascension: Ibn ʿArabī and the Miʿrāj Part II" Journal of the American Oriental Society, Jan. - Mar. 1988, vol. 108, no. 1, p. 63-77
- "Ibn ʿArabi and His Interpreters Part II: Influences and Interpretations" Journal of the American Oriental Society, Oct. - Dec. 1986, vol. 106, no. 4, p. 733-756
- Mulla Sadrā's Conception of the Barzakh and the Emerging Science of Spirituality: The Process of Realization (tahqīq). In Islam-West Philosophical Dialogue (Papers Presented at the First World Congress on Mulla Sadra), Tehran, SIPRI Institute, 2005, vol. X, pp. 93–103.
References[edit]
- ^ Markwith, Zachary (2010). "Review: Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Islam in the Modern World: Challenged by the West, Threatened by Fundamentalism, Keeping Faith with Tradition". Sacred Web. 28 (1): 103–116 [115].
- ^ Vincent J. Cornell, Voices of Islam (Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006) p. 293
- ^ WorldCat author listing
