Biography of Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan

In this autobiography, Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan (1882 Baroda – 1927 New Delhi) describes his fascinating life. The book is divided in two parts the first part, called ‘Biography,’ covers his life from childhood to manhood (1882-1910), showing his character and interests, family circle and development into one of the most brilliant young musicians of his country. On a deeper lever, this period can be seen as a preparation for the great task awaiting him: the spreading of the Sufi message, the mystical philosophy known in the East since the earliest times, to the Western world. In the second part, called ‘Autobiography,’ Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan tells about his experiences in the Western world (1910-1926), his encounters with many of the leading personalities of his time, and work in spreading the Sufi Message and the establishment of the Sufi Movement. The book also contains, as the Master wished, his views on music, on various religions and spiritual movements, on the relationship of East and West. There is also all the reference material he collected regarding his musical career, reviews of his concerns, lectures, interviews with the press and interesting correspondence. The illustrations and some of the photographs were selected by him. Included, at his wish, are biographical sketches of his principal disciples, who worked under him as ‘pioneers of the Message’ in esoteric or exoteric functions. A glossary and index conclude this lasting work of great importance for anyone who wishes to study the life and work of the bringer of the Sufi Message to the Western world: Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan.