Overview

THE PRAYER OF THE HEART IN CHRISTIAN & SUFI MYSTICISM guides the reader through the stages of mystical prayer. Mystical prayer is a way to create a living relationship with the Divine within the heart. Drawing on Christian and Sufi sources such as St. Teresa of Avila, 'Attar, St. John of the Cross and Rumi, as well as from his own experience, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee describes how prayer is first born of need, but then takes one deep within the heart, into the stages of Union and Ecstasy. Through mystical prayer, one is drawn beyond any words into the interior silence of real communion with God. Here, in the silence within the heart, a meeting and merging takes place that carry us beyond our self into the mystery of divine presence, into the secret nature of love's oneness. THE PRAYER OF THE HEART IN CHRISTIAN & SUFI MYSTICISM explores the inner listening of the heart and the secret of 'pray without ceasing' in which we discover how prayer becomes alive within the heart. Finally there is a chapter on the need at this time to pray for the Earth. How can we pray for well being of the Earth? How can we include the Earth in our prayers and our heart? This little book is an offering of the heart that brings together the Christian and Sufi mystical traditions in the oneness of love to which they belong. It will benefit any practitioner of prayer, anyone who is drawn to discover a relationship with God within their heart.

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9781890350352

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Reviews

The author . . . parallels the prayer practices of Sufi and Christian mysticism with ease. . . . Vaughan-Lee's prayerful prose is poetic, inclusive, and intelligent. -- Publishers Weekly (April 9, 2012)

An excellent book. . . . As we recover more and more of the ancient contemplative traditions, we are finding immense similarities in goal, practice, and effects. . . . Vaughan-Lee makes this sacred journey both clear and inviting. --Fr. Richard Rohr, author and Franciscan Priest, Center for Action and Contemplation This is a precious little book . . . one of those rare works that emerge from the heart and leads us into unified consciousness. Its gentle and poetic words . . . reminding me to return home. --Edward W. Bastian, PhD, President, Spiritual Paths Foundation Draws together the Christian and Sufi traditions of mystical prayer. . . . Vaughan-Lee's clearly written little guide will be gratifying and absorbing for those interested in mysticism and alternate routes toward the love of God. --Library Journal (May 2012) Like his spiritual sister, Teresa of Avila, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee sees prayer not as something we do, but rather a gift the Beloved has hidden within the innermost chamber of our hearts. Our whole life is an answer to the call to discover that treasure, to become prayer. With an extraordinary blend of passion and dignity, Llewellyn guides us deep into the blazing quiet of our own being, where prayer becomes the magic carpet that carries us to union with object of our most profound longing--a union that results in the melting of lover into Beloved, so that only love remains. This, Llewellyn teaches us, is our sacred birthright. --Mirabai Starr, author and translator, Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross, The Interior Castle, and The Book of My Life by St. Teresa of Avila Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee . . . brings together the Christian and Sufi inner paths of devotion in a beautiful, compelling way. Combining his own deep personal experience with writings ranging from St. Teresa of Avila to Mevlana Rûmî and Abdul Qadir Jilani, Llewellyn has produced something unique: not an academic treatise, but a poetic book on prayer meaningful to the everyday lives of seekers in both traditions, a prayer of the heart in its own right. --Neil Douglas-Klotz, author, Prayers of the Cosmos and The Sufi Book of Life Seamlessly moves between the Christian and Sufi mystics and bears witness to the divine love that permeates the mystical dimensions of the world's great religions. . . . A little gem that will be savored and treasured by all who are drawn along the path of love. --James Finley, PhD, Merton scholar and author, Christian Meditation, The Contemplative Heart, and Merton's Palace of Nowhere The author . . . parallels the prayer practices of Sufi and Christian mysticism with ease. . . . Vaughan-Lee's prayerful prose is poetic, inclusive, and intelligent. --Publishers Weekly (April 9, 2012) This exquisitely beautiful book opens us up tenderly to the astonishing mysteries of the human heart.We experience a 'Glow of Presence.' We feel loved, blessed and kissed by Spirit. --Imam Jamal Rahman, cofounder of Interfaith Community Church in Seattle, and author, The Fragrance of Faith

Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee . . . brings together the Christian and Sufi inner paths of devotion in a beautiful, compelling way. Combining his own deep personal experience with writings ranging from St. Teresa of Avila to Mevlana Rumi and Abdul Qadir Jilani, Llewellyn has produced something unique: not an academic treatise, but a poetic book on prayer meaningful to the everyday lives of seekers in both traditions, a prayer of the heart in its own right. --Neil Douglas-Klotz, author, Prayers of the Cosmos and The Sufi Book of Life An excellent book. . . . As we recover more and more of the ancient contemplative traditions, we are finding immense similarities in goal, practice, and effects. . . . Vaughan-Lee makes this sacred journey both clear and inviting. --Fr. Richard Rohr, author and Franciscan Priest, Center for Action and Contemplation Like his spiritual sister, Teresa of Avila, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee sees prayer not as something we do, but rather a gift the Beloved has hidden within the innermost chamber of our hearts. Our whole life is an answer to the call to discover that treasure, to become prayer. With an extraordinary blend of passion and dignity, Llewellyn guides us deep into the blazing quiet of our own being, where prayer becomes the magic carpet that carries us to union with object of our most profound longing a union that results in the melting of lover into Beloved, so that only love remains. This, Llewellyn teaches us, is our sacred birthright. Mirabai Starr, author and translator, Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross, The Interior Castle, and The Book of My Life by St. Teresa of Avila This is a precious little book . . . one of those rare works that emerge from the heart and leads us into unified consciousness. Its gentle and poetic words. . .reminding me to return home. Edward W. Bastian, PhD, President, Spiritual Paths Foundation This exquisitely beautiful book opens us up tenderly to the astonishing mysteries of the human heart.We experience a 'Glow of Presence.' We feel loved, blessed and kissed by Spirit. Imam Jamal Rahman, cofounder of Interfaith Community Church in Seattle, and author, The Fragrance of Faith The author . . . parallels the prayer practices of Sufi and Christian mysticism with ease. . . .Vaughan-Lee's prayerful prose is poetic, inclusive, and intelligent. Publishers Weekly (April 9, 2012) Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee . . .brings together the Christian and Sufi inner paths of devotion in a beautiful, compelling way. Combining his own deep personal experience with writings ranging from St. Teresa of Avila to Mevlana Rumi and Abdul Qadir Jilani, Llewellyn has produced something unique: not an academic treatise, but a poetic book on prayer meaningful to the everyday lives of seekers in both traditions, a prayer of the heart in its own right. Neil Douglas-Klotz, author, Prayers of the Cosmos and The Sufi Book of Life An excellent book.. . .As we recover more and more of the ancient contemplative traditions, we are finding immense similarities in goal, practice, and effects. . . .Vaughan-Lee makes this sacred journey both clear and inviting. Fr. Richard Rohr, author and Franciscan Priest, Center for Action and Contemplation Seamlessly moves between the Christian and Sufi mystics and bears witness to the divine love that permeates the mystical dimensions of the world's great religions. . . .A little gem that will be savored and treasured by all who are drawn along the path of love. James Finley, PhD, Merton scholar and author, Christian Meditation, The Contemplative Heart, and Merton's Palace of Nowhere Draws together the Christian and Sufi traditions of mystical prayer. . . . Vaughan-Lee's clearly written little guide will be gratifying and absorbing for those interested in mysticism and alternate routes toward the love of God. Library Journal (May 2012)

Author Information

Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee is a Sufi teacher who has lectured extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, and is the author of more than 15 books, including Alchemy of Light, Return of the Feminine and the World Soul and Spiritual Power. He lives in Inverness, California.

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