For over a thousand years, the ecstatic sayings of Bayazid Bistami have guided seekers on the path of divine love. The Book of the Ascent gathers his most profound utterances—cryptic, daring, and luminous—recording the soul's journey from the prison of selfhood to the boundless freedom of union with the Beloved. This modern-English edition renders Bayazid's words in clear, inviting prose while preserving their original intensity and spiritual depth. Whether you are new to Sufi wisdom or a longtime traveler on the inner way, these pages offer a timeless map of the heart's longing, the trials of the ego, and the ineffable joy of surrender. Faithful to the spirit of the classic, this edition makes an ancient treasure accessible to today's readers. Part of The Sacred Wisdom Library.