Thought to be possibly Ibn 'Arabi's first book, the Contemplation of the Holy Mysteries is a major work of mystical literature. It was composed in Andalusia in 1194 (590 AH). It consists of a series of 14 visions, in the form of dramatic conversations with the Divine, interspersed with dazzling visionary episodes. It is written in a style similar to that of the Mawaqif of al-Niffari, the famous tenth-century Iraqi saint. 

These contemplations are full of astounding insights into the nature of existence, our relationship with Reality, and the way to achieve true happiness. The English translation has been prepared by Pablo Beneito (who edited the original Arabic text) and Cecilia Twinch. It includes a full introduction and notes based on the commentary of one of Ibn 'Arabi's disciples.

You are yourself the cloud veiling your own sun! So recognize the essential Reality of your being!

The translators
Cecilia Twinch has been studying the work of Ibn ‘Arabi since 1972, and works as a freelance translator for the Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi Society.

Pablo Beneito is Professor at the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Seville, Spain. He has edited and translated Ibn ‘Arabi’s Mashahid al-asrar and Kashf al-ma’na. 

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Contemplation of the Holy Mysteries - Table of contents

Contents
Introduction
Spiritual journey: rise beyond and you will discover
Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi
This edition
The style and symbolism of the Contemplations
The Arabic language

Contemplations: translation and notes

From Ibn 'Arabi's preface

1. Contemplation of the light of existence as the star of direct vision rises
2. Contemplation of the light of taking as the star of affirmation rises
3. Contemplation of the light of the veils as the star of strong backing rises
4. Contemplation of the light of intuition as the star of transcendence rises
5. Contemplation of the light of silence as the star of negation rises
6. Contemplation of the light of elevation as the star of unveiling rises
7. Contemplation of the light of the leg as the star of the summons rises
8. Contemplation of the light of the rock as the star of the sea rises
9. Contemplation of the light of the rivers as the star of degrees rises
10. Contemplation of the light of perplexity as the star of non-existence rises
11. Contemplation of the light of divinity as the star of lam-alif rises
12. Contemplation of the light of uniqueness as the star of servanthood rises
13. Contemplation of the light of the support as the star of singularity rises
14. Contemplation of the light of argument as the star of justice rises

Appendices
The manuscripts used
Ibn 'Arabi's preface
Ibn 'Arabi's epilogue
Correspondences in Contemplation 3
Bibliography

Extract from Contemplation 5

The Real made me contemplate the light of silence as the star of negation rose, and He made me speechless.

However there did not remain a single place in the whole universe where my word was not inscribed; nor was there any writing which did not come from my substance and my dictation.

Then He said to me: "Silence is your essential reality."

"Silence is nothing other than you, although it does not belong to you."

"I created you with speech which is the essential reality of your silence, so that although you speak, you are silent."

"Through you I speak, through you I give, through you I take, through you I expand, through you I contract, through you I see, through you I see, through you I give existence and through you I am known."

"If I had remained silent, you would not exist; if you had spoken, I would not have been known. Speak, then, that I may be known."

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