Secret Practices of the Sufi Freemasons: The Islamic Teachings at the Heart of Alchemy

by Rudolf von Sebottendorf, Stephen E. Flowers (Translator)

Reveals the secret spiritual exercises of the Bektashi Order of Sufis

• Shows how this order, also known as Oriental Freemasonry, preserves the ancient spiritual doctrines forgotten by modern Freemasonry

• Explains how to transform the soul into the alchemical Magnum Opus by combining Masonic grips and the abbreviated letters of the Qur’an

• Includes a detailed biography of Baron von Sebottendorff

Originally published in Germany in 1924, this rare book by Baron Rudolf von Sebottendorff reveals the secret spiritual exercises of the Bektashi Order of Sufis as well as how this order, also known as Oriental Freemasonry, preserves the ancient spiritual doctrines forgotten by modern Freemasonry. Sebottendorff explains how the mysterious abbreviated letters found in the Qur’an represent formulas for perfecting the spirit of the individual. When combined with Masonic hand signs and grips and conducted accordingly to a precise schedule, these formulas incorporate spiritual power into the body and transform the soul from its base state into a noble, godlike state: the Magnum Opus of the medieval alchemists.

Laying out the complete program of spiritual exercises, Sebottendorff explains each abbreviated word-formula in the Qur’an, the hand gestures that go with them, and the exact order and duration for each exercise. Including a detailed biography of Sebottendorff and an examination of alchemy’s Islamic heritage, this book shows how the traditions of Oriental Freemasonry can ennoble the self and lead to higher knowledge.

Genres: Islam, Occult, History, Religion, Nonfiction, Research

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2011

About the author

Adam Alfred Rudolf Glauer (9 November 1875 – 8 May 1945?), also known as Rudolf Freiherr von Sebottendorff (or von Sebottendorf) was a German occultist, writer, intelligence agent and political activist. He was the founder of the Thule Society, a post-World War I German occultist organization where he played a key role, and that influenced many members of the Nazi Party. He was a Freemason, a Sufi of the Bektashi order - after his conversion to Islam - and a practitioner of meditation, astrology, numerology, and alchemy.

Reviews

[Hagar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the preamble introducing the history of freemasonry in Islam and the fascinating, shadowy biography of Sebottendorf more interesting than his (quite short) text on the practices of the Sufi freemasons itself. This isn't a usual piece on Sufism or on freemasonry. It is quite a unique and strange tract. The context of Sebottendorf's history with the early Nazis and the Germanen Order and later Thule Society makes it even stranger. Overall, this was quite engrossing. I zipped through it.

[Shameer Ks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sufism is not a monolith. Each Tariqah has a completely different Gnostic theory to proffer. To see ‘Freemasonry’ and ‘Sufism’ would befuddle some of us, and would cheer up some of those conspiracy theorists to say that what they say about networked shaman ideologies is true. Read this book about Bekthashi Sufi order and practice of Hurufism to understand a different stream of mystical order in Islam. Many thanks for Hudaifa Rahman to recommend “Practices of Sufi Freemasonry”.

[Avni Alper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alman Nasyonal Sosyalist Partisinin öğretileri Okültik bir cemiyet olan Thule cemiyetine dayandığı bilinmektedir. Baron Von Sabbentrof ise Thule cemiyetini kurarken Anadolu daki Bektaşi dervişlerini örnek almıştır. İsmail Kaygusuz a göre Hacı Bektaşi Veli bir İsmaili Dai’siydi. Pek çok araştırmacıya göre ise Masonluk Tapınakçılardan (Templier) gelmekte ve Tapınakçılar bu öğretiyi Hasan Sabbah’a bağlı İsmaililerden öğrenmişlerdir. Kitap bu bağlantıyı kuruyor. Dan Brown romanı gibi ama kurgu değil.

[Umar · Rating 1 out of 5]

no idea what i just read...definitely not islamic, and definitely not sufism. to say the least sufism is more than a secret hand gestures and strange sign language.

[Aaron Schuschu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just another witchcraft book. Disappointing, knowing what I know about Sebottendorf.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This brief text doesn’t offer a lot, although it’s possible that the simple practice recommended will work well for some people. It is likely to disappoint most who come to it, however, because they won’t be looking for a simple meditational outline, they’ll be hoping for something more mysterious and dramatic, because of knowing another side of the author’s life. The author was born Adam Glauer, and like many German-völkisch occultists ennobled his name in adulthood (though in his case, he managed to do this through a late-in-life “adoption” by a Sebottendorf). He is primarily known for having run a secret organization in Munich called the “Thule Society” which did include a few early Nazis (before they were Nazis) and is sometimes claimed by conspiracy theorists as the secret power behind Hitler. By the time this book was written, 1924, Sebottendorf was already in self-imposed “exile” to Switzerland, and, if this book is anything to judge by, had become more interested in Islam and Freemasonry than National Socialism. At any rate, if that’s what you come to the book for, you won’t find anything.

Sebottendorf’s knowledge of “Ancient Turkish Freemasons” comes from years of travel in the Middle East, especially Egypt and Turkey, where he probably was initiated into a practicing lodge. What he claims to have found (and this is credible) is that Islamic Freemasons had retained spiritual goals and practices that had been lost, or relegated to mere symbolism, by their brethren in the West. The book essentially describes how to use Masonic “grips” as a focus for meditational activity. It makes some claims about effects and powers that I won’t attempt to verify, but as a testament to obscure Masonic theories and practices, it holds some minor interest.

[Steve Cran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Masonic Sufi Spiritual Work

This book desperately needs illustrations to go along with what the author is writing. Sufi meditations and Masonic work require the use of certain hand positions and grips all of which have specific meanings. The author describes what the hand positions and grips are supposed to look like but illustration or pictures would do a much better job.

This book may be more appropriate for someone with a more advanced knowledge of Sufi practices and freemasonry. I did not get much out of this book at all. In fact I captured a small part of it To be fair some books should not be made available to the public as the meaning can be missed or misconstrued.

The book starts off with a history of Sebetendirf and how he being the typical German feels more than a healthy dose of national pride and a strong urge of wanderlust. This German fell in love with Turkey and met a Jewish bektashi family. Bektashi is a school of Sufism and Sufis accept everyone regardless of background. This Jewish family also was well versed in the Kabbalah and Rosicrucianism.

The book then follows with a history of Islam and Sufism. The meat of the book discusses different hand positions and grips along with meaning of mantra like sounds. The book has an outline of practice.

Personally if one is interested in these subjects I would look elsewhere. I normally like Mr. Thorsons work but not this one.

[Steve Cran · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book desperately needs illustrations to go along with what the author is writing. Sufi meditations and Masonic work require the use of certain hand positions and grips all of which have specific meanings. The author describes what the hand positions and grips are supposed to look like but illustration or pictures would do a much better job.

This book may be more appropriate for someone with a more advanced knowledge of Sufi practices and freemasonry. I did not get much out of this book at all. In fact I captured a small part of it To be fair some books should not be made available to the public as the meaning can be missed or misconstrued.

The book starts off with a history of Sebetendirf and how he being the typical German feels more than a healthy dose of national pride and a strong urge of wanderlust. This German fell in love with Turkey and met a Jewish bektashi family. Bektashi is a school of Sufism and Sufis accept everyone regardless of background. This Jewish family also was well versed in the Kabbalah and Rosicrucianism.

The book then follows with a history of Islam and Sufism. The meat of the book discusses different hand positions and grips along with meaning of mantra like sounds. The book has an outline of practice.

Personally if one is interested in these subjects I would look elsewhere. I normally like Mr. Thorsons work but not this one.

[Ozan Sezgin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't necessarily agree the "Baron" on the connections between Sufism and Freemasonry, for he has his own orientalist way of considering and understanding the East; but again, interesting enough to read about some blurred history of my nation's past and its supposed connections to the Craft.

[Richard Beaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a short but interesting read. In just two and a half years, I could make myself into a living philosophers stone.

[Paul M · Rating 4 out of 5]

My personal opinion is that Stephen Flowers has done a pretty good job in compiling this short work.
Whilst the historical content is brief, it doesn't appear inaccurate, although i'm no, "expert," upon Sufsim, Arabic, The Holy Qur'an or etc. I am however pretty well up on Honesty in Reality.
It is not believed, that Sebotendorff's own experiences or his journal thereof can be called into question in this context - For example, either the exercises were indeed practiced, or they were not. The historical content may not quench the historian's thirst so much, perhaps?! But there are interesting insights nevertheless (imo)

And from a Practical perspective, for the alchemist certainly, i'd suggest *real* value in this book.
~Perhaps a word then, to a serious Practitioner (contra opinionator) :
(In this book you will find Heinrich Khunrath's words translated from the German; "What is the use of torches, light or glasses if the people do not wish to See?" ...!)

"Clues" are not hidden for those who Know where to look.
Read closely, pay attention! (Forget not, that in Practice, patience IS attention!)
Students of Hermetic Philosophy, those of Magnum Opus will find commonality enough to Grasp what is being indicated in operation here. i particularly enjoyed the story of the student remarking about formation of the symbols.

"To worship God and to make the faith Great, is always our effort."

Worth a look!

[Orgadena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atūm

Ancient Green
Spiritual, Whole, Death.
The Letter, The Midst.
Working session.

Power, used – Streets – German pawns.

Writings, Thoughts.
Words, Thoughts.
Atūm.
Teeth.
The Key, The Will.

Small, Indivisible – Key – Environments.

Closing-Grip.
Crusaders, Devils.
Body.

Word.
Idea, Location, Operation.
Symbolic, Nature.
Rosicrucusians.
In, secret.
In, the Creation.
Spirit.
Islamic.
Islam, Spiritual.
Measure.
Druids.
Magical operations.
The Nucleus.
Precise, Arabic.
A, primeval substance, primeval matter.
Qur'an.
Practice.
Radiation.
To, human-shift.
“Matter, Matter.”
different system, Matter.
Yoga.
To, become…

Yoga – Into – Recognition.

Several – Into – Understanding.

Pronounce.
A, possibility remains.
Divine providence.
Wisdom.

Knowledge – Knowledge – Alchemy.

Qur'an.
Body Formulas.
Institution.
Alchemical.
Unambiguous laws.
Beings.
Maqatta'at.
Out-side.
Embarking.
Warnings.

●

Truth.
Power.
This, System.
Body, Spirit.

Time – Nature, the Red Lodge – Balance.

Atūm, in the Gospels.

God, primeval matter – Salvation – Occult.

Keys, Vowels – Clear – To, Heart.

Munich, 1918.
~

[Ezra Hodgson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Huh?

The one thing that my heart desires was eluded to in this book, but the exercises and language on ancient texts made it incomprehensible to my modern mind. Not for me.

[paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is the basic idea of Hurufism that God reveals himself in the word, and that the word is made up of sounds or letters with accompanying numerical values.

[Pinar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book. Writer is an interesting personality and really interesting book. But it is not for learning Islam, Sufism or Freemasons and even you couldn't learn their secret practices. It is interesting for showing perception of Islam and some Islamic practices to a foreigner. It was not so long ago, just 100 years.

Probably it is because of my language or imagination capacity I couldn't visualize practices. Maybe there is some illustrations in the book it could be more understandable. Even I couldn't understand in the very beginning of the practices "I, A, O" sounds. Is it English reading like "I am", "Apple", "On" or, "trIcky", "Amsterdam", "On".

[Walter Five · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of interest to scholars of Masonic Ritual, readers of Idries Shah, Aleister Crowley, and Sir Richard Burton. One might point out that the title could be considered somewhat off-point, if not misleading, but it is difficult to imagine how it might be differently titled, odd and curious work that it admittedly is.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typical Masonic book. I read this due to the author's involvement in the Thule society.