The Elephant in the Dark (book)

The Elephant in the Dark
Paperback book cover (2016 edition)
AuthorIdries Shah
Cover artistRenata Alvares
LanguageEnglish
GenreReligion, Sufi Literature, Islam, Comparative Religion.
PublisherISF Publishing
Publication date
2016
Publication placeUnited Kingdom
Media typePrint (Paperback eBook
ISBN9781784791025 Paperback edition
Preceded byThe Magic Monastery 
Followed byA Veiled Gazelle 

The Elephant in the Dark is a book by the writer Idries Shah, based on lectures he delivered at the University of Geneva as Visiting Professor in 1972–1973. He was invited to speak on the topic of “Salvation as a total surrender to God: an attempt at dialogue between Christians and Muslims.”

The book was published by Octagon Press in 1974 and is due to be republished in new paperback, ebook and audiobook editions by The Idries Shah Foundation from 1 March 2016.

Shortly before he died, Shah stated that his books form a complete course that could fulfil the function he had fulfilled while alive. As such, The Elephant in the Dark can be read as part of a whole course of study.