“ Now that I have found thee, I know that in the first step I took, I moved away from thee. Idries Shah
“ The Prophet's character was termed tremendous because his concern was for God alone. Imam Junayd al-Baghdadi
“ The source of my suffering and loneliness is deep in my heart. This is a disease no doctor can cure. Only Union with the Friend can cure it. Rabia Basri
“ A book, for the Sufis, is an instrument as much as it is something to give information....The key is the teacher. Idries Shah
“ A short time in the presence of the Friends (the Sufis) is better than a hundred years’ sincere, obedient dedication. Idries Shah
“ The aspirant has to be guided by a mentor. The stage at which this guidance can take effect is seldom, if ever, perceptible to the learner. Idries Shah
“ Do not dwell upon whether you will put yourself into the hands of a teacher. You are always in his hands. Idries Shah
“ Saying of the ProphetPracticeWho are the learned? Those who put into practice what they know. Idries Shah
“ None should say: ‘I can trust,’ or ‘I cannot trust’ until he is master of the option, of trusting or not trusting. Idries Shah
“ In the realm of Greater Understanding, the workshop is dismantled after the work is finished. Idries Shah
“ The would-be Sufi needs guidance precisely because books, texts, while telling you what is needed, do not tell you when. Idries Shah
“ The teaching must, of course, work with the best part of the individual, must be directed to his or her real capacity. Idries Shah
