This book is essentially inspired byGabriel’s love for Rumi. The author is a Biologist by training but has soughtanswers in transcendental mystical experiences and metaphysical connections oftransdisciplinary subjects to heal the human condition. A book that beckons for’Unity in Diversity’. Gabriel, as can be vividly sensed throughout the book, isan ardent learner of different mystical schools not just theoretically but onan experiential level as well.
Gabriel expresses the powerful story ofRumi and Shams and its solution oriented life affirming relevance in the modernage. Anecdotes from Rumi’s Mathnavi, Dewan etc., along with different mysticaltraditions and the author’s commentary on the significance of these poems andaphorisms from an esoteric point of view are also exposed in vivid as well aslucid imagery.
In the book, he doesn’t just talk about theSufis but also gives us a grip of Christian mystical traditions, ‘Gnosticism’,the Jewish mystical traditions, ‘Kabala’, and several other traditions whichaccording to him have a deeply embedded calling for unity and coexistence ofdifferent faiths. He goes further to express ‘Metanoia’ from Greek metaphysics,’Samadi’ from Hindu metaphysics and ‘Satori’ from Buddhist metaphysics.
This book is not just an overview ofdifferent mystical traditions but can also be read as a comparison between theeastern perspective of the esoteric self and the pragmatic behaviouralpsychology of the west.
The author’s approach is chiefly pacifistand he largely rests on Rumi’s philosophy to revive the concept of ‘love’ asthe ultimate cosmic force that must prevail despite predominant fundamentaltheological and scientific dogmas. In order to support his treatise hereferrers to the works of Leo Tolstoy, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Carl Jung, ImmanuelKant, Hafiz, Ibn Arabi, Avicenna, Muhammed Iqbal including many others of theirforte.
Gabriel views the orthodox facet of anyfaith as politically motivated and deeply divorced from esoteric experience.He, with the aid of many references from different mystical traditions, pleads’love for love’s sake’ is the real essence of divine essence and that ulteriormotives in way of love lead to corruption of the heart.
This book calls passionately for theabandonment of rigidity in favour of universal fluidity, harmony andsustainable coexistence.
The humanist approach in writing this bookcan be easily deciphered as the author steers across ideologies – apparentlyperceived in dichotomy – and makes visible the common principles that are basicto their existence. Therefore giving shape to a declaration of coexistence,peace and unity.
Overall it is an amazing experience to gothrough this book as an initiation into the understanding of mystical realms ofdifferent traditions. In brief, it has something to offer to everyone. I wouldespecially recommend it to those who believe in the power of Love. Go ahead andsavour it!