Why is Sufism so compelling to both spiritual seekers and scholars? This, the first book in English from an authority on Sufism, Eric Geoffroy, introduces Sufism from many angles and from its origins up to the present day. Geoffroy sees Sufism as a unique lens through which we can view the spirituality that lies behind the forms of Islam. This book covers the history of Sufism from its earliest days up until our own times, touching on the many significant people, practices, ideas, and controversies that have shaped it. It also highlights Sufism’s universal aspects, which are a powerful antidote to various fundamentalism. Geoffroy balances the voice of long ago (e.g. Ibn ‘Arabi, Rumi, Hallaj, and Ghazzali) with many contemporary voices to cover a remarkable scope of topics essential to a full understanding of authentic Sufism.