The Twenty Nine Pages - An Introduction To Ibn ' Arabi's Metaphysics

by: A.E. Al-Affifi

The Twenty-Nine Pages

An Introduction to Ibn ‘Arabi’s Metaphysics of Unity

Extracts from The Mystical Philosophy of Muhid Din Ibnul Arabi by A.E. Affifi. Affifi’s work had four main sections. The first was devoted to what Ibn ‘Arabi said about Being and Reality, the second collated what he wrote about insani kamil (the Logos, the perfect human being). The third dealt with knowledge and varieties of mystical knowledge, and the fourth considered aspects of the path of return. The result was a rather formal overview, but one rich in quotations from Ibn ‘Arabi’s writings, and reflecting the breadth of his exposition. The extracts presented here as a continuous text were first put together 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 of his doctrine which refer to the unity of being and the perfectability of man. Long known simply as the ‘Twenty-nine Pages’ from the format of its original printing, this text has been a foundation for study at the Beshara School of Intensive Esoteric Education, where it has been read prior to Ibn ‘Arabi’s own more demanding works such as the Fusus al-Hikam. The rich content, incisiveness and extraordinary scope of the passages from Ibn ‘Arabi make it an invaluable reference for all students of mysticism and the spiritual life, whatever their background.