The Reflecting Heart: Mystical Islamic Poetry 8
The poetic tradition of Islam expresses an aspect very different from theological understandings, being centred on love, beauty and the yearning for union. This course will focus on themes of mirroring and reflection in the work of four major poets.
Date created:
Course: Further details, online booking
Resources for this course
| Type | Resource | Description | People | Full details |
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The Heart of the Faithful |
An article by Seyyed Hossein Nasr giving an overview of 'the heart' within Islamic thought. From "Paths to the Heart", Sufism and the Christian... |
Jane Clark | view |
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List of Texts |
A list of the texts and translations that we will read on the course. |
Jane Clark | view |
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Week 1:Texts |
Some quotations on the theme of reflection within Islamic thought, and the text read in class; The Chinese and Greek Painters, from Rumi's '... |
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Week 2 Texts |
The Meeting with the Simurgh: extract from 'Attar's 'Conference of the Birds' |
Jane Clark | view |
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The Chinese and Greek Painters |
Two alternative versions of the story from Muhammad al-Ghazali and Ibn 'Arabi |
Jane Clark | view |
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Ibn 'Arabi on Reflection in Mirrors |
Extract from 'Fusus al-hikam',Chapter of Seth |
Jane Clark | view |
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An Introduction to 'Attar's Conference of the Birds |
A brief outline of 'Attar's life and work, plus some background on 'Confernece of the Birds' |
Jane Clark | view |
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Week 2: Texts |
'The Meeting with the Simurgh' from Conference of the Birds', in the translation by Dick Davies and Afkahm Darbandi (Penguin,1984) |
Jane Clark | view |