Nasrudin Site
Just discovered this new site on the esteemed Mulla Nasrudin.
The site features the Nasrudin stories as told in the framework of marionette theatre by puppeteer Richard Merrill of Brooksville, Maine. There are some great stories - including some Zen Mulla-ized ones - and there is even a discussion forum. Check it out!
August 04 2005 in Mulla Nasrudin | Read More | Comments [1]
Sufi and Hasidic Wisdom
I’m currently doing some research for an article on the convivencia (the period of Jewish/Muslim/Christianity co-existence in Islamic Spain) which I will publish on this blog in due course, and have come across a fascinating article on Sufi - Hasidic links.
August 02 2005 in Sufism/Islam | Read More | Comments [0]
MusicMobs
Ok, I’ve got to do it - this is the link to my MusicMobs Playlist.
No sniggering at the back.
August 01 2005 in Music | Read More | Comments [3]
The Hidden Conversation
There is a fascinating post on Mary Magdalene and the ‘Is Sufism Islamic’ debate (July 22nd) on Mushtaq Ali’s blog Traceless Warrior.
The Mary Magdalene aspect is fascinating but I will focus on the wider debate because I have a great interest in this question as I am working on topics which impinge on this area with my dissertation which is concerned with the antecedents of the Sufi Malamati tradition and its possible evolution from Syriac Christianity as well as earlier parallels in the Greek school of the Cynics. Clearly, in an academic sense, it is beyond doubt (as Ali concedes) that these parallels exist and that something very similar to Sufism existed before Islam - albeit not recognized by that name. Indeed, Classical Sufi Masters are frequently on record as stating as much.
July 31 2005 in Sufism/Islam | Read More | Comments [2]
Downloads
The following are a collection of links to writings and publications by authors I admire and who have important things to say in the areas of interest covered by Anulios. Ie: Islam, philosophy, mysticism, Gnosticism and history of religions.
Some are collections and comments from current bloggers, some are the work of traditional writers and thinkers and some are rare articles from historical thinkers and philosophers. Where possible I have endeavoured to provide these free of charge but in certain cases the author (ie not me) will administer a small charge to cover administration (in some cases these charges are donated to causes of the author’s choosing) but in all cases I think the cost is well worth it and urge you all to support the writers of these articles who publish this material purely as a labour of love - if you are interested in the subject matter of this blog you will definitely appreciate these publications.
_____________________________________
1. Lost Bearings in Philosophy
Lost Bearings is a short monograph based on several years of groundbreaking research by Max Gorman that explores the idea that Western philosophy has reached an impasse from which the only escape is the recognition of the necessity of a completely different mode of thought.
Running Towards the Bomb is a collection of Essays on Gnosticism and the End of Civilisation as well as other assorted weirdness by Jeremy Puma of Fantastic Planet fame. The link will take you to Jeremy’s site and there are full details of the book there.
To those unfamiliar with Mr Puma’s writings I urge you to check them out - Jeremy’s writings are the essential distillation of the zeitgeist - buy this book and save a dog!
July 31 2005 in General Stuff | Read More | Comments [0]
Magic
I intended to write something about magic in a little while but I have been inspired to pre-empt myself as it were by a post by Zac on his blog Alchemical Braindamage.
July 27 2005 in Fortean | Read More | Comments [6]
Donations
As I mentioned in the previous post, I am currently trying to finish my Phd in Islamic Studies (specifically the Malamatiyya with particular reference to Syriac Christianity and the Cynics) at Edinburgh University.
The problem is I am running out of money and it is an expensive undertaking. Hence in order to fund my doctorate I am reduced to working as a web designer and buying and selling antique tribal rugs and, as a supplement to all that: soliciting donations through this site.
Sooooooo..... if you feel like supporting me in this valiant attempt (in however small a fashion) you can choose from one of the following four options to help:
1. Buy me an academic textbook.
2. Purchase an antique tribal rug from my collection.
3. Hire me as a web designer to set-up your blog or design your site.
4. Donate to my Paypal Account via the foregoing link or the button at the bottom of the menu on the right.
Many thanks!
July 26 2005 in General Stuff | Read More | Comments [0]
About Me
Here follows a wee bit about what is going on here.....
About me...
Ok, my name is Tarquin Rees and I am a postgraduate student at Edinburgh University writing a Phd thesis on the Sufi movement the Malamatiyya and their relationship to Eastern Christianity and the Greek school of the Cynics.
July 26 2005 in General Stuff | Read More | Comments [0]
Water
I think one of the points of Sufi stories used as teaching tools is to establish a framework whereby one can recognize similar frameworks in the ‘real world’.
I heard a story today which may well fall into this category. According to this BBC Article, artist Mark McGowan has created a ‘work of art’ which purportedly aims to raise awareness of water wastage. The installation consisted of a tap which was to be left running for the period of a year.
Unfortunately, the area where the gallery is situated has been experiencing a prolonged dry spell and consequent water shortages. Now it seems that the local water authority has been forced to resort to legal action to close the exhibit down citing a gratuitous waste of its water resources.
July 25 2005 in Sufism/Islam | Read More | Comments [0]
Blanket
Mulla Nasrudin and his wife woke one night to hear two men fighting under their window. Nasrudin’s wife sent the Mulla out to see what the trouble was. He wrapped his blanket round his shoulders and went downstairs. As soon as he got close to the men, one of them grabbed the blanket off him and both men ran off.
“What was the fighting about, dear?” the Mulla’s wife asked as he came back into the bedroom.
“About my blanket apparently...... as soon as they got it they went away.”
July 21 2005 in Mulla Nasrudin | Read More | Comments [3]
Three Rivers summer schedule
Just a quick note to plug the summer schedule of the Three Rivers project in Barcelona.
They are holding a weekly storytelling group called Mushkil Gusha which meets weekly to tell traditional folk-tales and stories from the Middle East, Iran, Afghanistan and Spain. The group is condcted bilingual Spanish/English and the stories can be told in any language !
Later in the year I may also be conducting a 10 week course on mysticism in Middle Eastern religions. Check out the site for further details.
July 19 2005 in General Stuff | Read More | Comments [0]
Nasrudin
Decided to intermittently post some of my favourite Mulla Nasrudin stories.
For those unfamiliar with the wisdom of this incomparable wise-fool, Nasrudin is a folkloric figure throughout Turkey and the Middle East. Thousands of tales are in circulation about him and are told in tea-houses and gatherings all over the region.
It is said that contemplation of seven Nasrudin tales will provide enlightenment in the manner of a Zen koan - hasn’t worked in my case but they can also serve a dual purpose as jokes so I think it’s allright....
July 17 2005 in Mulla Nasrudin | Read More | Comments [0]
More Malamati Stuff
Posted this on alt.sufi - God knows why - I suppose because that is Shah HQ (someone coined the phrase ‘Shahbots’ there which is really quite good if you think about it). Didn’t come to much though - people started talking about the da Vinci Code and Atlantis instead.
Anyway, as readers will know, I am not by any means a Shah-basher, perhaps a ‘Shahbot’ basher at a push but I’m working on laying down my arms and finding some peace. Hopefully it will happen soon inshallah. Meanwhile I have been thinking again - this time about Shah’s relationship with Sufism and whether he could be ‘not a Sufi’ as detractors such as Moore et al claim and still be ‘the real deal’. Feel free to take these ideas as talking points, evidence of dogmatic assertion or hypothetical postulates depending on your own personal bias.
July 14 2005 in Sufism/Islam | Read More | Comments [4]
Malamati
The Malamatiyya were an ascetic movement that originated in Khurasan in Nishapur in the late third/ninth century and whose origins are traditionally attributed to the teachings of Hamdun al-Kassar (d. 271/884-5) although several later Malamati figures were to claim that their practice derived from the Qur’an . The name of the tradition derives from the Arabic word for “blame” (malama) and signifies “the blameworthy” or “those that draw blame on themselves”.
July 11 2005 in Sufism/Islam | Read More | Comments [4]
Joke
Ok - I need to preface. This IS bashing but aimed at literalists rather than real Christians - see how compassionate I am!
July 09 2005 in General Stuff | Read More | Comments [0]
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