Forty Days

The Diary of a Traditional Solitary Sufi Retreat

Michaela Özelsel, Andy Gaus

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English

Shambhala Publications Inc
15 February 2013

Islamic life & practice; Sufism & Islamic mysticism

This is a woman's firsthand account of a Sufi halvet, a forty-day retreat conducted in complete isolation, along with strict fasting from sunrise to sundown. Voluntarily confined to a sparsely furnished room amid the bustle of Istanbul, Michaela

zelsel will occupy her time with reading the Qur'an and works of Rumi and Ibn 'Arabi, and with praying and practicing the powerful Sufi exercise known as zhikr, the rhythmic repetition of names of God or other sacred formulas, accompanied by movements of the head or body.

In intimate detail Dr.

zelsel shares her experiences as she strives to attain true ""Islam"" in its meaning of surrender or unconditional acceptance of the will of God. Her daily journal ranges over the frustrations of noisy neighbors, power outages, and a poorly heated room; her inner longings, doubts, and memories of the life course that has brought her to this moment; and the most inspirational philosophical insights, dreams and visions, and ecstatic raptures.

The second half of the book is devoted to the author's psychological and cultural commentary on her experiences, including observations about the methods of Sufi schooling, sexuality and spirituality, and the relationship with the spiritual guide. Forty Days

is unique in the literature of spiritual education because it is informed by her knowledge of contemporary research from several disciplines, thus creating a bridge between ancient wisdom and scientific investigation.

By: Michaela Özelsel
Translated by: Andy Gaus
Imprint: Shambhala Publications Inc
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 140mm, Spine: 8mm
Weight: 292g
ISBN: 9781590300534
ISBN 10: 159030053X
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 15 February 2013
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Michaela M. zelsel was born in Germany. She has a B.A. and an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Carolina, and Ph.D. from the Goethe Institute, Frankfurt.

Reviews for Forty Days: The Diary of a Traditional Solitary Sufi Retreat

"""This is a superb book. I felt as if I were with Özelsel in her cell throughout the forty days, journeying with her doubts, cries, and torment in not knowing what was happening in the world outside while feeling the compassionate words of Rumi, Ibn 'Arabi, and the Qur'an.""—Bob Banner, Gnosis magazine"