Quote from Lifting the Boundaries

Lifting the Boundaries: Muzaffer Efendi and the Transmission of Sufism to the West

Sheikh Muhammad Jamal Al-Jerrahi Gregory Blann

Pir Press, New York, 2015.  349 pages.

Muzaffer Efendi closed his eyes for a long moment, lost in exultation. Gradually, his venerable gaze focused on the vaulted walls of the New York cathedral's great nave, then on the musicians near him and the circle of dervishes turning wheel-like around his stationary form. From every corner, the charged sounds of singing and chanting reverberated: "Hayy, Hayy, Hayy! O Living One!"

Then the sheikh became animated. With his large arms beckoning toward the circle, he turned in all directions, inviting the audience to come forward and join the concentric circles of dhikr. His repeated gesture of invitation--opening the circle of lovers to everyone--powerfully communicated the ancient impassioned call of the Sufi saint and mystic, Jelaluddin Rumi:

Come, come whoever you are! An unbeliever, a fire-worshiper, come! Ours is a caravan of hope. Even if you have broken your vows a hundred times, come, come again!

-- from page 1.

Review submitted by Jennifer Knight

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