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The Hundred Tales of Wisdom
Life, teachings and miracles of Julaludin Rumi from Aflaki's Munaqib, together with certain important stories from Rumi's works, traditionally known as ʻThe Hundred tales of wisdom' -
The tales, anecdotes and narratives in this collection are used in Sufi schools for the development of insights beyond ordinary perceptions. Although the number 100 is used in the title, in Idries Shah’s presentation there are 159 tales beginning with a brief description of Rumi’s childhood and youth.
The author Doris Lessing wrote in Books and Bookmen: “The Hundred Tales is traditional hagiography, a classic studied for seven hundred years by students of the Sufi Way as part of the ‘curriculum’ – and that means Christians and Jews as well as Muslims. It concerns Rumi, the saint whose funeral was attended by members of these and other faiths, all saying he was their teacher. What has been needed is a simple and clear version ... and here it is.”
An important theme of Rumi's work is the danger of mistaking the "container for the content." He regarded even his own poetry as a "container" for the real purpose of his work.
"The Hundred Tales of Wisdom" is a collection of events and "action teachings" from Rumi's life, with stories, fables and verse from his work. This classic is part of the series of basic writings now being issued by Octagon Press.
The tales, anecdotes and narratives in this collection are used in Sufi schools for the development of insights beyond ordinary perceptions. Although the number 100 is used in the title, in Idries Shah’s presentation there are 159 tales beginning with a brief description of Rumi’s childhood and youth.
The author Doris Lessing wrote in Books and Bookmen: “The Hundred Tales is traditional hagiography, a classic studied for seven hundred years by students of the Sufi Way as part of the ‘curriculum’ – and that means Christians and Jews as well as Muslims. It concerns Rumi, the saint whose funeral was attended by members of these and other faiths, all saying he was their teacher. What has been needed is a simple and clear version ... and here it is.”
An important theme of Rumi's work is the danger of mistaking the "container for the content." He regarded even his own poetry as a "container" for the real purpose of his work.
"The Hundred Tales of Wisdom" is a collection of events and "action teachings" from Rumi's life, with stories, fables and verse from his work. This classic is part of the series of basic writings now being issued by Octagon Press.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 25, 2016
Those who love Rumi's poetry and want to know more about the amazing mind that could write such extraordinarily beautiful and insightful verse, may find _The Hundred Tales of Wisdom_ (collected and compiled by Idries Shah) very interesting. It gives us a picture of Rumi's personality via the recorded recollections of individuals who were around him when he was alive. The language is a little archaic, but how could you expect otherwise from the first-hand accounts of individuals who in the 11th century? Those were very different times and you can get a sense of those times, almost a feel for the air that was breathed, from reading these accounts. They ways in which they are phrased indicates that an 11th century man was a very different type of person than a 21st century man. And I found myself a little sad about that. Those times, as difficult as they might have been, seemed so much cleaner; the people, fare purer of intention. But that might be because I'm reading the accounts of those who were disciples of Rumi, and close to enlightened saints themselves, not stories from ordinary people from that period in history.
I think that these multiple, brief accounts of extraordinary incidents in Rumi's life by eye-witnesses gave me a better image of what this man was really like, mysterious and strange as it is, than a "proper" biography would have because these accounts have come down, orally and then written down, through the centuries as recorded facts and an emphasis was placed (as was placed on the sayings and doings of Mohammad) on keeping the historic record of actual events clean; not altering or interpreting what happened. These accounts are not the loose-with-the-facts, interpretive stories that many biographers, when faced with a sensational or "unmodern" subject like to spin in order to explain his inexplicable life to contemporary minds. There is no invented explanation or attempt to modernize in these stories, just brief "I was there and saw this or heard that" accounts. And what was seen or heard, by so many individuals, was remarkable. For me, they helped answer an unspoken, unthought question I'd vaguely felt when reading Rumi: how could any human being born on this earth possibly write such unusual and insightful poetry, poetry that seems to come from unfathomable distances far beyond the typical human life?
Like many books written by Sufis, this one can be difficult to grasp for those already "comfortable" with a certain style of literature. As a person interested in and trying to learn from Idries Shah's writings, I certainly found that to be so, although I get the strange sense that there is treasure here under the strange and unfamiliar surface, despite my ineptness at digging for it. There are as many reasons for this difficulty (if not more) as there are tales of wisdom in this book, but the one I most notice is that Sufi books are written to have certain effects, and if, to accomplish their goals, they take a form that someone is not used to seeing or doesn't finds as entertaining as other books, that reader may be disappointed and judge the book sub-par . That was the case with me. I assumed from the title that this was another Shah story collection and I expected the short, pithy "ah-ha! moment" stories one often finds in Idries Shah's other collections, such as _Wisdom of the Idiots_ or _Tales of the Dervishes_. My expectations were disappointed: this collection of short, biographical incidents is a very different sort of book, a type I don't understand but would like to. I'm trying to say, in a roundabout way, that it's far too advanced for me.
But never fear! Those, like myself, looking for their typical Shah "oh wow, that's so profound! entertainment fix can get it near the end of the book where there is a small compilation of the usual stories in the format they are comfortable with: the ones he has typically compiled. I have to admit, I heaved a huge mental sigh of relief when I saw those more "normal" tales: at last, something I recognized! It was only later when I started to wonder why Shah put those isolated stories, almost like an afterthought, into a book of ancient biographical accounts of a miracle-working saint and great poet. Was it to reassure dopes like me who expect Idries Shah to serve up oats or perhaps porridge but never broccoli? Hmmm.... At any rate, based on my experience, I wouldn't recommend jumping ahead to that small section, however, as you just might miss a jewel or two in what might possibly be a single-minded but misguided search for wampum beads.
I think that these multiple, brief accounts of extraordinary incidents in Rumi's life by eye-witnesses gave me a better image of what this man was really like, mysterious and strange as it is, than a "proper" biography would have because these accounts have come down, orally and then written down, through the centuries as recorded facts and an emphasis was placed (as was placed on the sayings and doings of Mohammad) on keeping the historic record of actual events clean; not altering or interpreting what happened. These accounts are not the loose-with-the-facts, interpretive stories that many biographers, when faced with a sensational or "unmodern" subject like to spin in order to explain his inexplicable life to contemporary minds. There is no invented explanation or attempt to modernize in these stories, just brief "I was there and saw this or heard that" accounts. And what was seen or heard, by so many individuals, was remarkable. For me, they helped answer an unspoken, unthought question I'd vaguely felt when reading Rumi: how could any human being born on this earth possibly write such unusual and insightful poetry, poetry that seems to come from unfathomable distances far beyond the typical human life?
Like many books written by Sufis, this one can be difficult to grasp for those already "comfortable" with a certain style of literature. As a person interested in and trying to learn from Idries Shah's writings, I certainly found that to be so, although I get the strange sense that there is treasure here under the strange and unfamiliar surface, despite my ineptness at digging for it. There are as many reasons for this difficulty (if not more) as there are tales of wisdom in this book, but the one I most notice is that Sufi books are written to have certain effects, and if, to accomplish their goals, they take a form that someone is not used to seeing or doesn't finds as entertaining as other books, that reader may be disappointed and judge the book sub-par . That was the case with me. I assumed from the title that this was another Shah story collection and I expected the short, pithy "ah-ha! moment" stories one often finds in Idries Shah's other collections, such as _Wisdom of the Idiots_ or _Tales of the Dervishes_. My expectations were disappointed: this collection of short, biographical incidents is a very different sort of book, a type I don't understand but would like to. I'm trying to say, in a roundabout way, that it's far too advanced for me.
But never fear! Those, like myself, looking for their typical Shah "oh wow, that's so profound! entertainment fix can get it near the end of the book where there is a small compilation of the usual stories in the format they are comfortable with: the ones he has typically compiled. I have to admit, I heaved a huge mental sigh of relief when I saw those more "normal" tales: at last, something I recognized! It was only later when I started to wonder why Shah put those isolated stories, almost like an afterthought, into a book of ancient biographical accounts of a miracle-working saint and great poet. Was it to reassure dopes like me who expect Idries Shah to serve up oats or perhaps porridge but never broccoli? Hmmm.... At any rate, based on my experience, I wouldn't recommend jumping ahead to that small section, however, as you just might miss a jewel or two in what might possibly be a single-minded but misguided search for wampum beads.
October 14, 2016
GIVE ME THE WHOLE, NOT THE PARTS
A man went to a tattooist, asking him to put the picture of a lion on his skin. But this man was a coward. When he felt the first prick, he said:
"Which part of the lion are you drawing?"
The tattooist said: "The tail."
The man cried: "Let us not have a tail! Do another part!"
The artist did as he was told. But the man screamed with pain again. And this went on and on, until the artist told him that it was impossible to tattoo a lion at all, if he would not allow any of its parts to be drawn.
A man went to a tattooist, asking him to put the picture of a lion on his skin. But this man was a coward. When he felt the first prick, he said:
"Which part of the lion are you drawing?"
The tattooist said: "The tail."
The man cried: "Let us not have a tail! Do another part!"
The artist did as he was told. But the man screamed with pain again. And this went on and on, until the artist told him that it was impossible to tattoo a lion at all, if he would not allow any of its parts to be drawn.
April 15, 2015
This volume is Idries Shah's translation from the Persian of 'The Hundred Tales of Wisdom,' which contains material about the life of the great 13th-century Sufi Jalaludin Rumi, from Aflaki's Munaqib, as well as certain tales and passages from Rumi's works. The book includes stories of wonders associated with Rumi, but it does not appear that their point is to dazzle the reader, still less to 'convert' him or her. Rather, as the text itself says, these materials are 'used in Sufi schools for the development of insights beyond ordinary perceptions.'
July 25, 2013
The tales rest heavily upon the hagiography of Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, which is laid on thick at the start; and when one peels that away then there isn’t much to them. Overall, I found the parabolic tales disappointing.
May 19, 2014
seputar riwayat hidup mawlana rumi
March 13, 2019
A challenge but well worth it
This book seems very different to most others that I have read by the same author. This surprise was a small lesson in expectation in itself. Apparently written in the 14th century, in places it was a challenging read for someone with a 21st century mind. Some of the ‘easier’ stories have appeared in other books by the same author but many of the previously unpublished excerpts from the life and miracles of Rumi were exacting. Clearly figurative, some of the ‘hidden patterns of reality’ began to reveal parts of themselves whilst many others remained enigmatic – perhaps awaiting another read. It certainly illustrated to me directly the author’s assertion that certain texts can only be understood when the reader is ready.
Having said this, scattered throughout the text were numerous striking little impacts. Some examples that stand out –
‘Moulana further observed that one should not get involved in useless discussions as to what is the right vocation to follow and what is the nature of possessions; for the real thing is the manner in which such possessions are spent.’
Another is one sentence in ‘Sayed Bahauddin’s Teachings’ on page 14 that I would have paid a lot more than the price of the book for.
The final story in the book seems to possibly hint at how to approach this and similar books: the Story of the Seeker from India. A seeker from India reaches the door of a saint’s house and a voice from inside says,
‘Go back, you have fulfilled your purpose and you have profited through having come to my door. If you actually get to the point of seeing me, you will lose by it..’
This book seems very different to most others that I have read by the same author. This surprise was a small lesson in expectation in itself. Apparently written in the 14th century, in places it was a challenging read for someone with a 21st century mind. Some of the ‘easier’ stories have appeared in other books by the same author but many of the previously unpublished excerpts from the life and miracles of Rumi were exacting. Clearly figurative, some of the ‘hidden patterns of reality’ began to reveal parts of themselves whilst many others remained enigmatic – perhaps awaiting another read. It certainly illustrated to me directly the author’s assertion that certain texts can only be understood when the reader is ready.
Having said this, scattered throughout the text were numerous striking little impacts. Some examples that stand out –
‘Moulana further observed that one should not get involved in useless discussions as to what is the right vocation to follow and what is the nature of possessions; for the real thing is the manner in which such possessions are spent.’
Another is one sentence in ‘Sayed Bahauddin’s Teachings’ on page 14 that I would have paid a lot more than the price of the book for.
The final story in the book seems to possibly hint at how to approach this and similar books: the Story of the Seeker from India. A seeker from India reaches the door of a saint’s house and a voice from inside says,
‘Go back, you have fulfilled your purpose and you have profited through having come to my door. If you actually get to the point of seeing me, you will lose by it..’
January 26, 2023
Nothing but praise and talking about how enlightened and awesome and what title people have.
As i know Idris made a lot of good stuff 2 not 1 star, he is just facilitating a message but the message is so clocked in praise it's almost unbearable
As i know Idris made a lot of good stuff 2 not 1 star, he is just facilitating a message but the message is so clocked in praise it's almost unbearable
March 12, 2021
New Kindle edition..The Hundred Tales of Wisdom... works from Rumi... ‘Translated from the Persian and presented by Idries Shah.’ This collection is perfume wafted on a breeze. For one’s joy, for one’s sorrow for one’s startled surprise; above all, for the deepening of understanding.
THE STOLEN SNAKE
A man stole a snake from a man who had caught it.
The snake bit him and he died.
In this way the first man was spared the snake's bite.
The second man had his desire (to steal the snake) but the
effect of his wish being granted was to kill him.
All Mankind Page 104.
THE STOLEN SNAKE
A man stole a snake from a man who had caught it.
The snake bit him and he died.
In this way the first man was spared the snake's bite.
The second man had his desire (to steal the snake) but the
effect of his wish being granted was to kill him.
All Mankind Page 104.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews