Stories From the Thirty Birds From "I" to Him

In Attar's renowned 12th century Sufi classic, The Conference of the Birds, the many types of human beings and their various spiritual aptitudes are represented by a multitude of birds. This vast company sets off to encounter the Great Simurgh--a majestic Bird Who represents the Lord of the Worlds--the Divine Source of Being. But of all those who embark on this journey, only 30 stay the formidable course and are able to overcome the enormous challenges and attendant trials. Only thirty birds made it to the august Threshold. Kerim Guc, whose grandmothers stories helped form his spiritual life, most imaginatively and effectively shares tales told by these 30 birds, each of which help to open the Magnificent Gate bit by bit. The stories, selected from various cultures and epochs, help to clarify 30 "realizations" needed by any seeker in his or her final Return to the One. These Wisdom Teachings underscore the Universality and Timelessness of what is encountered in the spiritual life. Kerim Guc's stories are unforgettable and immediately affect the awareness and inner practice of the reader--young or old.

Hasan Kerim Gü ç graduated from Istanbul High School in 1992 and from Yildiz Technical University in 1996. Between 1997-2004, he completed his master's degree in Information Systems and Business Administration in Baltimore, USA. Guc returned to Turkey in 2010. Realizing that the treasure he had been looking for for 14 years was right in his own home, he took the position of Chief Editor at Nefes Publishing House in 2014. Gü ç nourishes his business life with Sufi studies and is pursuing a doctoral degree from the ü skü dar University Institute for Sufi Studies. He has published four books.

CONTENTS PREFACE.....9 SPECIAL THANKS.....13 THE JOURNEY FROM "I" TO "HIM"...17 MY GRANDMOTHER'S STORIES .....19 THE GUIDE. ........21 THE JOURNEY. ...25 THE STORY OF HOW THE DOOR WAS FINALLY OPENED. ......29 1- THE HOOPOE'S STORY-GOODNESS ..31 2- THE FLAMINGO'S STORY - HARMONY. 34 3- THE SWAN'S STORY - FLOW ..39 4- THE SEAGULL'S STORY - POINT OF VIEW 47 5- THE ROBIN'S STORY - ONENESS ....53 6- THE DOVE'S STORY - LOYALTY. ..58 7- THE EAGLE'S STORY - JUSTICE. .63 8- THE PHEASANT'S STORY - THE ORDER OF UNITY. .68 9- THE HAWK'S STORY - INDEPENDENCE FROM THE WORLD. 73 10- THE PARTRIDGE'S STORY - SACRIFICE. ... 76 11- THE HUMMINGBIRD'S STORY - FRIENDSHIP ...80 12-THE STORK'S STORY - TEMPORARINESS. ..83 13-THE OWL STORY - WISDOM. ...87 C C 14-THE PIGEON STORY - SERVICE.....91 15- THE FALCON'S STORY - FREEDOM ......95 16- THE PEACOCK'S STORY - RELATIVITY ..101 17- THE EAGLE OWL, PUHU'S STORY - PERCEPTION. ..107 18- THE PELICAN'S STORY-OVERCOMING ARROGANCE. 114 19- THE RAVEN'S STORY - BEING AT THE CENTER. ..118 20- THE FINCH'S STORY - COMPASSION ....123 21- THE CANARY'S STORY - HUMILITY. ..128 22- THE HUMA BIRD'S STORY WEALTH. * * * ..132 23- THE SWALLOW'S STORY STRUGGLE. * * * ..137 24-THE KITE'S STORY - SURRENDER.. 141 25-THE CRANE'S STORY - UNITY....147 26- THE FALCON'S STORY - MERIT.....151 27-THE ALBATROSS'S STORY - SUSPICION.....155 28-THE CROW'S STORY - VIGILANCE....160 29-THE NIGHTINGALE'S STORY - FORGIVENESS.... 167 30-THE PARROT TUTI'S STORY - SINCERITY.... 171 FINAL CURTAIN...175 AFTERWORD: THE STORY OF HOW THESE STORIES CAME TO BE PUBLISHED IN KENTUCKY! .... 179