A Perfumed Scorpion

By: Idries Shah

Narrated by: David Ault

The "perfuming of a scorpion", referred to by the great Sufi teacher Bahaudin, symbolizes hypocrisy and self-deception: both in the individual and in institutions.

In A Perfumed Scorpion, Idries Shah directs attention to both the perfume and the scorpion - the overlay and the reality - in psychology, human behavior and the learning process.

Crammed with illustrative anecdotes from contemporary life, the book is nevertheless rooted in the teaching patterns of Rumi, Hafiz, Jami, and many other great Oriental sages. It deals with the need for and the path to knowledge and information.

©1978 ISF Publishing (P)2017 ISF Publishing

A great book for re-evaluations

This book helped me re-evaluate aspects of how I see myself, individuals, communities, and the environment. I gained a greater understanding for why a guide is needed in the search for truth and the requirements necessary for the would-be student. This book is packed with information and will need multiple readings from me. I recommend this book to those that can learn.

INTERESTING

I totally enjoyed the stories and I learned a lot about Sufism, all very interesting.
I highly recommend listening, as with all of Idries Shah’s books, narrated by David Ault.
My thanks to all involved, JK.

All the best as always

MR. Ault gives a stirring performance with inspiration teaming in his voice. MR. Shaw provides groundwork and material of beauty in his writing of an artist.

Opened up Mind

As I listened, barriers to acquiring knowledge, began to lift one by one. I began to see a new world. I began to learn a new way to listen to these stories.. Truly, I found this book as Way to Way

The world is so full of so many leaders and politicians who continue to perfume a scorpion in hope that it will not sting them. But few of them know that it will always sting them. In fact, many of them themselves are perfumed scorpion. Apart from this title book, I enjoyed every story this book contains. Some of these stories made instant, effortless, changes in my attitudes. 🍁

Shah never disappoints.

Another stimulating book by Idries Shah. Possibly more condensed than usual, it strikes me as a cloud of interesting and practical thoughts on life and Sufi studies.