Contemplation of the Holy Mysteries

 Ibn 'Arabi - Contemplation of the Holy Mysteries : New,
Mashahid al-Asrar al-Qudsiyya wa matali' al-Anwar al-Ilahiyya,
*[A5] Paperback - 135 pages,
by Shaykh Muhiy al-Din ibn al-Arabi,
Translated by Cecilia Twinch,
and Pablo Beneito,
Published by Anqa Publishing, UK.





Description :


One of Shaykh ibn ʿArabi's first compositions, the Contemplation of the Holy Mysteries (Mashahid al-Asrar al-Qudsiyya) is a major work of mystical literature. It was written in Andalusia in 1194 (590 AH).


It consists of a series of 14 visions, in the form of dramatic conversations with the Divine, interspersed with dazzling visionary episodes. The style is similar to that of the Mawaqif of al-Niffari, the famous tenth-century Iraqi saint. These contemplations are full of astounding insights into the nature of existence, our relationship with Reality, and the way to achieve true happiness.



The English translation has been prepared by Pablo Beneito (who edited the original Arabic text) and Cecilia Twinch. It includes a full introduction, and notes based on the commentary of one of Ibn 'Arabi's disciples.



When I saw both risings and testimonies succeeding one another uninterruptedly, I asked,
''Will there be an end to all this?'' He said, ''Not whilst eternity lasts.''


Then He said to me,


               '' All that you have beheld and all that was hidden from you and
                  which will occur to you unexpectedly, all that is for you, because
                  of you, and is in you. But had I revealed the least of the secrets
                  of the mystery of the essential Unity of Divinity which I deposited
                  in you, you would not have been capable of bearing its weight &
                  you would have been consumed by fire. What would become of
                  you then, if I were to reveal to you something of Myself or of My
                  Essential Attributes! ''






Table of Contents :


---Acknowledgements,
---Introduction,
------Spiritual Journey : ''Rise beyond and you will discover,''
------Muhiyiddin Ibn 'Arabi,
------This edition,
------The style and symbolism of the Contemplations,
------The Arabic language.


Contemplations of the Holy Mysteries : Translation and Notes,

---From Ibn Arabi's Preface,

---[1]. Contemplation of the Light of Existence (wujud) as the Star of Direct Vision ('iyan) rises,
---[2]. Contemplation of the Light of Taking (akhdh) as the Star of Affirmation (iqrar) rises,
---[3]. Contemplation of the Light of the Veils (sutur) as the Star of Strong Backing (ta'yid) rises,
---[4]. Contemplation of the Light of Intuition (shu'ur) as the Star of Transcendence (tanzih) rises,
---[5]. Contemplation of the Light of Silence (samt) as the Star of Negation (salb) rises,
---[6]. Contemplation of the Light of Elevation (matla') as the Star of Unveiling (kashf) rises,
---[7]. Contemplation of the Light of the Leg (saq) as the Star of the Summons (du'a) rises,
---[8]. Contemplation of the Light of the Rock (sakhra) as the Star of the Sea (bahr) rises,
---[9]. Contemplation of the Light of the Rivers (al-anhar) as the Star of Degrees (rutab) rises,
---[10]. Contemplation of the Light of Perplexity (hayra) as the Star of Non-existence ('adam) rises,
---[11]. Contemplation of the Light of Divinity (uluhiyya) as the Star of Lam-Alif rises,
---[13]. Contemplation of the Light of Uniqueness (ahadiyya) as the Star of Servanthood ('ubudiyya) rises,
---[14]. Contemplation of the Light of Support ('amd) as the Star of Singularity (fardaniyya) rises,
---[14]. Contemplation of the Light of Argument (hijaj) as the Star of Justice ('adl) rises.



Appendices :

---1. The manuscripts used in this edition of the text,
---2. Ibn al-'Arabi's Preface,
---3. Ibn al-'Arabi's Epilogue,
---4. Correspondences in Contemplation.

---Bibliography.

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*Dimensions : 23.4 x 15.6