Many people have noted the parallels and similarities between Persia and Spain. Wilfrid Blunt (1) says that the Persians are the Spaniards of the Middle East and that both Spaniards and Persians are proud, hospitable and procrastinating. Sr. Eugenio Montes, in an article in the Madrid newspaper ABC in honor of the … Continue reading
Preface to Persian Traditions
See Table of Contents First let me introduce myself. People who know me very well say that I have a mentality which is medieval and not modern, rural and not urban, that I am an “incurable romantic and idealist”, and that I have a “peasant mindset”. To all of the … Continue reading
Ashura
In a personal communication, my friend Seyyed Hossein Nasr told me: “You are completely right in emphasizing the unique rapport between Shi‘ism and Sufism on the one hand and certain elements of Spanish Catholicism and Russian Orthodoxy on the other.” Continue reading
The White Dove
A white dove entered Fatima’s garment at the house of Umm Salamah before her meeting with the prophet Muhammad. Continue reading
Ridwan and Malik
Hussayn’s head, according to popular tradition, was sent to Damascus with a large company of bodyguards to make sure it got to Yazid. On the way, the caravan stopped for a night below a hermitage where a Christian monk lived, spending his life in solitary worship. Continue reading
Karbala
And We (Allah) ransomed him (Ismail) with a great sacrifice. Continue reading
McClain in his own Words
What follows are selections from “Persian Traditions in Spain” by Michael McClain People who know me very well say that I have a mentality which is medieval and not modern, rural and not urban, that I am an “incurable romantic and idealist”, and that I have a “peasant mindset”. To … Continue reading
John of the Cross, the Rumi of Spain
The fact that St. John of the Cross was so open to said influence is a proof of the fact that he was an initiate in the esoteric path and of the ecumenism typical of all true mystics. If Rumi is the St. John of the Cross of Persia, then St. John of the Cross is the Rumi of Spain. Continue reading