An exploration of the Persian poet’s spiritual philosophy, with original translations of his poetry • Features extensive insight into the meanings and contexts of the poetry and philosophies of this spiritual teacher • Includes over 30 complete poems by Haféz, including “The Wild Deer,” often regarded as his masterpiece For 600 years the Persian poet Haféz has been read, recited, quoted, and loved by millions of people in his homeland and throughout the world. Like his predecessor Rumi, he is a spiritual guide in our search for life’s essence. Haféz is both a mystic philosopher and a heartfelt poet of desires and fears. Haféz: Teachings of the Philosopher of Love is the perfect introduction to the man known as the philosopher of love, whose message of spiritual transcendence through rapture and service to others is especially important to our troubled world. His wisdom speaks directly to the cutting edge of philosophy, psychology, social theory, and education and can serve as a bridge of understanding between the West and the Middle East, two cultures in desperate need of mutual empathy. “Haféz fears nothing. He sees too far; he sees throughout; such is the only man I wish to see or be.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson "Haféz has no peer." ― Goethe "Only the most enlightened of beings can benefit from the deepest human joys because within such beings resides a unique force of freedom and rapture. Their awareness rests in the house of spirit and their soul mates with their awareness meaning that which is discovered through awareness emanates from their soul and that which shines in the soul is known with awareness. This unity of spirit and mind is the legacy of Hafez." ― Friedrich Nietzsche "This beautifully written and nicely presented discourse on his life and work honors the poet as a significant figure whose influence resonates still." ― NAPRA ReView "This book is an ideal introduction to the spiritual guidance offered in Hafez's verses." ― Bodhi Tree Book Review, Winter 1999 / Spring 2000 SPIRITUALITY / POETRY "Hafez has no peer." --Goethe "Hafez fears nothing. He sees too far; he sees throughout; such is the only man I wish to see or be." --Ralph Waldo Emerson "The unity of spirit and mind is the legacy of Hafez." --Nietzsche For six hundred years the Persian poet Hafez has been read, recited, quoted, and loved by millions of people in his homeland and throughout the world. In Hafez: Teachings of the Philosopher of Love new contemporary translations by one of the leading scholars of Hafez connect this traditional spiritual and philosophical wisdom to a modern vision of the world. The book includes over thirty complete poems by Hafez, accompanied by commentary from the authors on the meanings and contexts of the poetry and philosophies of this spiritual teacher. Authors Haleh Pourafzal and Roger Montgomery show how the visionary poet Hafez--whose work inspired Goethe, Nietzsche, and Ralph Waldo Emerson--can serve as an ideal source of inner renewal in our often troubled world, as well as a bridge between the West and Middle East, two cultures in desperate need of mutual empathy. HALEH POURAFZAL (1956-2002) was the daughter of Abdol-Hossein Pourafzal, a lifelong student of Persian linguistics and direct descendant of the creator of the contemporary Farsi prose form. Haleh grew up tuned to the spirit of the great poet during her childhood in Tehran, where her father would perform daily recitations of Hafez's poetry. She drew upon her father's expertise in developing her own interpretations of the poet's verse. From the moment Haleh introduced her husband, ROGER MONTGOMERY, to the poetry of Hafez, they shared a deep love and respect for his work. It was in the spirit of gaining a greater understanding of this great poet, sage, and philosopher that this book was born. Montgomery is also the author of Twenty Count: Secret Mathematical System of the Aztec/Maya and lives in Berkeley, California. Haleh Pourafzal (1956-2002) was the daughter of Abdol-Hossein Pourafzal, a lifelong student of Persian linguistics and direct descendant of the creator of the contemporary Farsi prose form. Haleh grew up tuned to the spirit of the great poet during her childhood in Tehran, where her father would perform daily recitations of Haféz’s poetry. She drew upon her father’s expertise in developing her own interpretations of the poet’s verse.From the moment Haleh introduced her husband, Roger Montgomery, to the poetry of Haféz, they shared a deep love and respect for his work. It was in the spirit of gaining a greater understanding of this great poet, sage, and philosopher that this book was born. Montgomery is also the author of Twenty Count: Secret Mathematical System of the Aztec/Maya and lives in Berkeley, California. A Tale of Love In the garden at dawn I sought for a rose when nightingale's voice broke the peace with her prose. Like me, she was mad for love of a flower and woke up the garden by trilling he