Divan-e Nurbakhsh: Poems of a Sufi Master

From beginning to end, this collection of Sufi poetry is uncompromisingly direct and lucid. Master of the Nimatullahi Sufi order for over fifty years, poet and psychiatrist Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh knew the twists and turns of the psyche and the soul, and the way of love. His message here is clear, stark, and beautiful.
In this new translation of 188 ghazals, 20 poems in the masnavi form, 45 quatrains, and 55 five-verse poems, seekers from many paths will find accurate and unflinching guidance combined with unfailing generosity. Love and truth manifest in these verses, as do correction and direction. The poems always lead the reader along a straight path. They very much take into account the sometimes challenging territory of spiritual endeavor, and although the way to the Beloved may not always be easy, the poems show how to get there, encouraging, chiding, and illuminating as they go.
A concise glossary and footnotes offer English-speakers and those proficient in the Persian language a fresh and comprehensive approach to the body of Dr. Nurbakhsh s poetry in its authentic Sufi context. Beginners, long-time practitioners and students of contemplative and mystical traditions will find joy and fellowship in these pages.
From the Translators Note:
Instead of a more poetical rendering, the translators have striven to provide as literal a rendition as possible in fluent and accessible modern English. This enabled the retention of specific terms of Sufi symbolism which have a significant place in Dr. Nurbakhsh s poetry (see his own Sufi Symbolism series published by Khaniqahi Nimatullahi Publications).
Definitions of terms, identification of names, and guidelines for pronunciation are provided in the Glossary, which is situated at the front of this book. This serves as an indispensable aid to understanding the translations. Endnotes are also provided to give clarifications of certain terms and offer alternative translations for those verses that intentionally have more than one meaning.