Described by the author as a key to the entire corpus of his work, The Commanding Self describes that mixture of primitive and conditioned responses, common to everyone, which rules the personality most of the time and which inhibits and distorts human progress and understanding, providing a barrier against extra-dimensional perception. This book, as well as others by Shah, is designed to offer a way to transcend the limits imposed by this "commanding self." The Commanding Self is an anthology of previously unpublished work, based on tales, lectures, letters, and interviews. It offers both an introduction to Sufi thought and further study for those already acquainted with Shah's work.