The first part of this twelfth volume of The Sufi Message of Hazrat Inayat Khan consist of a number of lectures the Master gave at different times, and which for various reasons have not been included in the proceeding volumes. They are published here for the first time, except 'Wealth.' Which appeared in the Sufi Quarterly of June 1931. In his Confessions, which were published in 1915 in a limited edition, long since out of print, Inayat Khan gave some reminiscences of his early life. He tells us about his home life, which was centered round the towering figure of his grandfather, the celebrated musician, Maulabakhsh, who so profoundly influenced him, about the career he himself made as a musician, and about his searching on the spiritual path, and how these led him to the Realization that he had to bring the message of Sufism to the Western world. Thirdly this volume contains the four plays written by Hazrat Inayat Khan. Their style is very different from that of the plays we are accustomed to see performed on Western stages; it is much closer to the traditional Indian theater. But they form an important part of his teachings and convey to those who read them or see them performed the reality of the deeper side of life, a reality that manifest when the way had been opened for the attainment of Self-realization, in which lies the fulfillment of the purpose of life. To Inayat Khan it is God who is acting through man in order to realize Himself. Thus he wrote in the Vadan,' The scriptures have called Him the Creator, the Masons have called Him the Architect, but I know Him as the Actor on this stage of life.'

The Mysticism of Music, Sound and Word presents an essential part of the highly practical philosophy of Hazrat Inayat Khan. Born a musician, music and sound were for him the essence of life. Even when later he had to give up his practice of what in Indian philosophy is called struck music, the unstruck music remained with him, and increasingly so. Not only did he enjoy it in his meditations and all through life, whether in silent nature or in the roaring streets of Manhattan. In its fullness, it came out in his discourses and other presentations he made to the amazed and yet not fully understanding public of the West in the twenties. His realization of sound and music transformed his words into living beings, attuning the atmosphere, bringing inspiration to the public. This volume presents various aspects of his music. It contains four parts. In the Mysticism of Sound, the basic philosophy is given in a wide context. Both the abstract and some very practical aspects are covered. Music presents the mystic aspects of music besides relating its philosophy to the practical side again. It presents a beautiful early view of Indian music and it relates music and colour. Moreover, the psychic and healing powers are discussed. The Power of the Word and Cosmic Language elaborates these influences both philosophically and practically. The book really may be called mysticism in daily life.

This is a book on the spiritual in everyday life. The very variety of its contents is an illustration of the significance of Sufism and spirituality in general for human life. The first two parts, Sufi Mysticism and The Path of Initiation and Discipleship expand further on themes presented in earlier volumes, particularly in volumes 1 The Way of Illumination. The reader is called to reconsider his life and how he is leading it rather than what life is his. Where is your ideal? In Sufi Poetry Hazrat Inayat Khan discusses the life, work and influence of some of the great Sufi poets of the past, illustrating the significance of mysticism and discipleship.