Mahmud Shabistari Livres

Garden of Mystery, the 'Gulshan-i Raz', holds a unique position in Persian Sufi literature. It is a compact and concise exploration of the doctrines of Sufism at the peak of their development that has remained a primary text of Sufism throughout the world from Turkey to India. It comprises a thousand lines of inspired poetry taking the form of answers to questions put by a fellow mystic. It provides a coherent literary bridge between the Persian 'school of love' poetry and the rapidly growing number of metaphysical and gnostic compositions from what had come to be known as the school of the 'Unity of Being'. Translated by Robert Darr who has for thirty-five years been a student of classical Islamic culture.

Exploring profound themes such as the Spiritual Journey and the ecstasy of Divine Inebriation, Shabistari's mystic verse reflects on humanity's capabilities and destiny against the backdrop of 14th-century religious conflict. Rooted in Sufi mysticism, his poetry transcends cultural divides, emphasizing a universal truth common to all religions. Through evocative imagery, he challenges the distinctions between identities and faiths, urging readers to lift the veil of separation and recognize the unity of existence beyond sects and creeds.