The Twenty-Nine Pages

Course Description

This is a course studying The Twenty-Nine Pages, which serves as an introduction to Ibn ‘Arabi’s metaphysics of Unity.

Drawn from The Mystical Philosophy of Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi by A.E. Affifi, originally published by the Cambridge University Press in 1938, the extracts presented in this short book as a continuous text were arranged many years ago by Bulent Rauf, consultant to the Beshara Trust until his death in 1987.

His intention was to provide a complete introductory guide to the language and thought of Ibn ‘Arabi, particularly those aspects that refer to the Unity of Existence and the Perfectibility of Man.

The rich content, inclusiveness and extraordinary scope of the passages from Ibn ‘Arabi make it an invaluable reference for students of mysticism and the spiritual life, whatever their background. Themes include: The One and the Many, Immanence and Transcendence, Sainthood, Knowledge, The Heart, The Soul, Good and Evil, and Love and Beauty.

Peter Coates, author of Ibn ‘Arabi and Modern Thought (2002), states: ‘This is no dry theoretical piece of metaphysicalising but rather an invitation to each reader to benefit from an acquaintance with one of the most complete and universal mystical visions of reality we have at our disposal.’

The course will be held over 12 weekly Zoom sessions which will be recorded should you miss one. It will be guided by two facilitators who have extensive knowledge of the text. They will not act as teachers, but as points of reference and support, as each aspect of the book is exposed, read and studied.

Students will be expected to have a copy of the book which is available from Beshara Publications.