Journey to the Lord of Power is the first English translation of Ibn al-Arabi’s twelfth century text dealing with spiritual ascent.
Ibn al-Arabi, whose metaphysical teachings have had a profound influence on both the Muslim and Christian worlds, is known as one of the greatest writers of Mystical love poetry of all time. written in answer to the questions of a friend, this illuminating guide describes the evolutionary path of our higher spiritual aspirations — the quest for the ultimate reality, the journey toward God. It is chiefly concerned with spiritual retreat, an advanced and potentially dangerous Sufi practice that aims at the attainment of the Presence of God through absolute abandonment of the world. Realizing the imaginations deceptive power, Ibn al-Arabi warns that this form of retreat should not be undertaken except -at the order of a sheikh or by one who has mastered the self. Each stage of the journey is accompanied by a temptation which can be overcome only by an unshakable desire for God.
Ibn al-Arabi explains each step of the ascent leading toward human perfection. In this perilous voyage of self-discovery, the reader will encounter the Realms of the mineral, vegetable. and animal worlds, eventually reaching the Gardens and the Throne of Mercy. The traveler of the Sufi mystic path is called upon to cleanse his or her heart in order to safely reach the final destination — the Lord of Power.

1. “Journey to the Lord of Power” mentions six principal Realms:
   
2. The Pre-Existence Realm: This is a state before our physical existence, characterized by a spiritual question “Am I not your Lord?”.
3. The Current World: This is the realm we are currently in, involving our physical existence and experiences.
4. The Interval: This realm is traversed after what is termed the ‘lesser and greater deaths’.
5. The Resurrection: This realm involves awakening on earth and a return to an original condition.
6. The Garden and the Fire: A realm described as the Garden and the Fire.
7. The Sand Dune Outside the Garden: This is the sixth realm mentioned.

Additionally, it is noted that within each of these Realms there are further subdivisions or “Realms within Realms,” the full realization and multiplicity of which are beyond human comprehension.