Wisdom of the Idiots

Sufi stories have, for centuries, been recognized as techniques in applied/narrative psychology. Their design, as I understand, is to subtly de-amplify the "noise" that is introduced by egoic distortions in order for us to "liberate" our pure, inner dynamism. IMO, the notion is for the introspecting seeker to tone up (or down) the amplitude so that there is harmonization with Truth. A caveat, however, is that one cannot perform this feat by oneself. A guide is necessary for there to be any "sweet fruit" to "taste".Through "Wisdom of the Idiots", and other similar titles, Shah delivers these ancient stories (techniques) into the English language for a modern readership. There is alot of spiritual territory to explore here, and it behooves us, at least to try, finding proper guidance so that our "adventure of Being" doesn't become darkly-complexioned as a "waste of time."

Sufis have been called idiots because their knowledge can appear idiotic to peole who are limited to appearances. To learn from this "idiocy" one must go deeper into matters. Wisdom of the Idiots seems to me a course on how to be a successful student. It is also an introduction to Sufi experience. Shah has crafted his book from teaching stories, essays, explanations and quips of Sufi teachers of the last 1,000 years. He works with and through this material producing a Sufi document usable and useful to people of our times and culture.The material is non-dogmatic and non-moralistic, by turns gentle and gritty. It is thought provoking and funny. I recommend Wisdom of the Idiots if you are a student, formal or otherwise, or if you are considering becoming one.Excerpts: FidelityNajmaini ('The Man of the Two Stars') dismissed a student with the words: 'Your fidelity has been tested. I find it so unshakeable that you must go.' The student said: 'Go I shall, but I cannot understand how fidelity can be a ground for dimissal.' Najmaini said: 'For three years we have tested your fidelity. Your fidelity to useless knowledge and superficial judgments is complete. That is why you must go.' FantiasiesO man! If you only knew how many of the false fantasies of the imagination were nearer to the Truth than the careful conclusions of the cautious. And how these truths are of no service until the imaginer, having done his work with the imagination, has become less imaginative. Shab-Parak ScrapsThe scraps from the meal of the Emir are larger than the gifts of halwa from the merchant. Timur Razil

Notwithstanding his claims as a sufi, and one one who mediated new forms of knowledge to the West, Shah was one of the great stylists of modern literature. "Wisdom of the Idiots" is one of his greatest books; lucid prose and clear thinking are not usually associated with mysticism but these are consistent elements in Shah's books.As well as tales which report interchanges between sufi masters and enquirers there are evocative stories. Some such as 'Hope' establish the connections between inner qualities and success; others such as the evocative 'Paradise of Song' suggest 'more selves than one, more hopes than one, more chance then one - up there in the Paradise of Song.'

This collection of 94 concise tales trains a spotlight on an array of human foibles and follies, and one reading of them is just not enough. You'll find yourself opening the book again and again--to savor the delicious humor of some selections, to study others you seem to have missed before, to ponder the significance of those whose interpretation isn't obvious. Gradually you realize that the tales have multiple levels of meaning, that they open up new pathways of perception, and that they promote insights not only about other people but also about your own patterns of thought and behavior. When you find yourself wondering just what "wisdom" really is and just who the "idiots" in this world really are, you'll realize how great an impact on your consciousness this little book has made.