ISBN 0-9749359-5-6     
June 2005
224 pages / trade paperback / 5.5 x 8.25
$16.95
                   

"The Black Pearl is the third book by Henry Bayman. I would like to describe it as the apex of a triangle and the other two points or corners as the two books which precede The Black Pearl (The Station Of No Station and The Secret Of Islam: Love And Law In The Religion Of Ethics).

In essence The Black Pearl is a powerhouse of light which shows us how a correct understanding of Islam (naturally coupled with contemplation and reflection) acts as/is a great mirror which reflects the highest metaphysical reaches of East Asian Philiosophies.

Whilst reading the chapter of "conclusion" I was swept away by its beauty and truth. Tears rained from my eyes and in my heart I felt a great sense of peace and happiness. Obviously I was reading something I could understand and identify with. It was a beautiful and inspiring moment.

"There Is Only One Truth"... and the chapters/subjects that precede the chapter of "conclusion" (and the appendix: how to perform a formal prayer, which in my opinion is an invaluable section) certainly informs us and helps us to understand that "There Is Indeed Only One Truth". Here is where The Black Pearl begins. One can start to see how much in common Islam has with East Asian Philiosphies, and as human beings or more importantly vice-regents of God, we shouldn't deny all the jewels of experience and wisdom from all the worlds religions... and this book sincerely offers us these jewels! In my opinion The Black Pearl is "un capolavoro" (Italian for masterpiece) encrusted with sparkling jewels. -Amazon reviewer
 

"What is in the universe—
that is in man."
—Sufi saying

"O God, the pinnacle of knowing
Whom is unknowing."
— Abu Bakr

"There is nowhere
the Tao is not to be found"
—Tao Te Ching

"The ten thousand things
are complete within us."
—Mencius

"The further one travels
along the Way, the less one knows."
— Lao Tzu

This sparkling book shows, as never before, how the highest metaphysical reaches of East Asian philosophies are scaled by contemplative Islam. Combining insightful analysis and personal reflection, Henry Bayman explores the mystical dimensions of Sufism, Buddhism, Taoism, Zen and Confucianism. He delves into the striking parallels and seemingly irreconcilable differences in their conceptions of Absolute Reality: God, the Tao, Buddha-nature, the One. Bayman shows how each system of thought can illuminate the inner meaning of the others. Most importantly, he shows us how we, ourselves, can approach the divine.

Subjects include:

Henry Bayman is an independent scholar living in Turkey who has spent twenty-five years studying with the Masters of Wisdom of Central Anatolia. He is the author of The Station of No Station, a study of Sufism and Islam as they relate to contemporary issues and The Secret of Islam: Love and Law in the Religion of Ethics.