“The Writing on the Water” is a highly readable yet spiritually profound account of the author’s own journey into Sufism. Shakoor takes us with him on his journey from being a sufi novice to a master. He is sent by his teacher on different tasks throughout his journey. At one point he has to find a very specific needle for a record player. At another time his teacher offers him and the other students a beautiful chocolate cake just moments before smashing it up with his hands. At another time the students are asked to move a small house across a field. This memoir is full of humor, is often quite moving, and is always resonant with the wisdom of the Sufi tradition.