Sufi Masonic Practices

Secret Practices of the Sufi Freemasons: The Islamic Teachings at the Heart of Alchemy by Rudolf von Sebottendorf
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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.

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