Podcasts about Rumi

On this episode, my guest is Hasan Kerim Güç. Kerim graduated from Istanbul High School in 1992 and from Yildiz Technical University in 1996. Between 1997-2004, he completed his master's degree in Information Systems and Business Administration in Baltimore, USA. He returned to Turkey in 2010. Realizing that the treasure he had been looking for for 14 years was right in his own home, he took the position of Chief Editor at Nefes Publishing House in 2014. Kerim nourishes his business life with Sufi studies and is pursuing a doctoral degree from the Usküdar University Institute for Sufi Studies. He has published four books.Show Notes* Rejecting the American Dream* Anatolian and Sufi Hospitality* Sufis and the Ottomans* Tanri misafiri (“God's guest”)* Togetherness, and the roots of Religion* When we welcome suffering, we make honey out of pain* Submission, servants and the prophet Mohammed* The Conference of the Birds / Stories from the Thirty Birds* Limits to hospitality in the Islamic world* Bereket / Baraka* Rumi's Guest HouseHomework* Kerim Vakfı* Stories from the Thirty Birds* Cemalnur Sargut: A Sufi Life of Love, Suffering, and Divine Union* Cemalnur Sargut Books* Kerim Guc - Instagram* Kyoto University Kenan Rifai Center for Sufi Studies* Ken'an Rifâî Chair of Islamic Studies at Peking University* University of North Carolina (UNC) Ken'an Rifâî Chair in Islamic StudiesTranscriptChris: [00:00:00] Welcome to the End of Tourism podcast, Kerim. Hoș geldiniz.Kerim: Thank you very much for having me.Chris: Yeah, it's my pleasure. Thank you for joining me today. Perhaps you could tell our listeners, where you find yourself and what the world looks like there for you.Kerim: Well, first of all, I'm an immigrant also. I was an immigrant. I lived in the US for a while, and then I came back to to my own country. And things are very different here than there, than it is in US. From the perspective of what I did... I was actually an engineer, and I was working in the IT fields, and I was living the American dream, and then I realized that there was some kind of an emptiness, and this whole thing, and I decided to go back to Turkey and [00:01:00] study Sufism, and since my mother was actually a Sufi teacher. She decided to actually move this whole Sufism into academia. So, she basically established an institute in Istanbul - Üsküdar Istanbul - at the University of Üsküdar. The difference between this institute and the other schools, the people like myself, like engineers, coming from different disciplines, including lawyers and whatnot, they were not able to do their masters or PhDs in Sufism, because in other universities, they require for you to actually have theology backgrounds. But with this new establishment, we were able to educate people from all different disciplines and, [00:02:00] so we basically concentrated on ethics rather than the religion itself.So, a lot of people coming from different areas, especially the white-collar people, living this, like - how do I say that? - it's a world of money and materialism and all kind of that stuff. They're coming to our institute and realizing that money or career is not the only goal for life.And we started to concentrating on things like spirituality more than the materialist world.Chris: Thank you. Well, I'm very much looking forward to exploring these themes with you and a little bit of the work that you do with Kerim Vakfı.Kerim: Sure.Chris: And so for the last season of the podcast, I'm very much interested in focusing on different hospitality traditions and practices from around the [00:03:00] world, as I mentioned to you. And, one of the key themes of the podcast is radical hospitality. Now, the word “radical” comes from Latin and it means “rooted,” or we might even say “local” or “living.”And so. I'm curious if there are any radical hospitality practices that you think are unique to your place, to Istanbul, or to the Sufi community that you might be willing to share with us today?Kerim: Well, Istanbul, actually, is a very metropolitan city. So like the other metropolitan cities, we kind of lost that - what we call the hospitality of Anatolia. Anatolia is basically the Eastern part of Istanbul. And in Istanbul, we have, right now, 25 million people in a very small area. And in older days when the population was smaller, [00:04:00] we were able to show our hospitality, because the Turkish hospitality is very famous, actually. In this area the hospitality is very famous, including the, you know, Greek and Arab hospitality. Usually, it's a little bit different than the western countries.For instance, we welcome people - we used to, and probably still, in the countryside - the people coming from other cities or countries or whatnot. The locals actually helped them out as much as possible. They even invite them to their own houses and let them stay for how long they want to stay. And this was kind of like a regular thing in the old days. It's still going on very much in the eastern side of Turkey, pretty much in the countryside. [00:05:00] But Istanbul, like other cosmopolitan cities, we kinda lost that. You know, neighbourly things. We have a lot of neighbours and we we have always good... we used to have a lot of good relationship with them, but nowadays, again, because of this material world, we kind of lost this hospitality.So from the Sufi point of view, hospitality is very important. It's interesting that you mentioned the “radical.” You were talking about where “radical” come from, but you didn't talk about where “hospitality” comes from. See, there is a relationship between the hospital and the hospitality and the way the Sufis look at things is very much like the illnesses in our body are our guests. So, we don't think that they're bad for you. They're actually [00:06:00] the guests of our house for a time being. So we show them the hospitality as much as we can, and then hopefully we say goodbye to them.Chris: Wow. Wow. That's fascinating. I do know that the term “hospitality,” hospital is part of that, and hospital historically came from these notions of hospitality. I mean, in the western world in, and at least in the Christian world, there's a kind of unauthorized history in which a lot of this hospitality, as you mentioned, that was offered to the stranger, was done by the families or the individual houses or homes within a community. A stranger would come and they would ask for hospitality, ask for food and shelter, and the family would have to decide whether to do that and how to do it. [00:07:00] And then at some point, the institution of the Church kind of stepped in and said, “you know what? You don't have to do this anymore. When the stranger comes to the community, when they show up at your door, just send them to us. Just send them to the church and we'll give them what they need.”And so this did a number of things, but the two most obvious ones, I think, are that the family, the individuals in the family and the community on a grassroots level, slowly ended up losing their ability, their unique kind of familial or personal ability to host the stranger. And at the same time, of course, the church used this as a way to try to convert, the stranger.Kerim: Right.Chris: And so I'm curious if there's anything in that realm that you see in the Islamic world, maybe in the Sufi world... you mentioned that, since the [00:08:00] imposition of modernity and the industrial Revolution in the world, we see less and less possibilities for small-scale, grassroots hospitality between people, in part, because there's so much movement, and of course, because the hospital has its brothers and sisters in the sense of the “hotel” and the “hostel.”Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: So, I'm curious if there's anything like that that comes to mind for you in regards to the Islamic world.Kerim: Well, one thing is about like the Ottomans. The Ottomans, when they were coming from the Anatolia and then started conquering all those places in the Balkan area, Greece and Bulgaria, Hungary and all those places, after they actually conquered, they sent Sufis to those places. And, like in Hungary, there is a person, his name is [00:09:00] Gül Baba, which means “Rose Father.” That's what they call him. He actually has his own tekke (tekke is like a church for Sufis). And this place, it's like a school more, more like a school, but it's a religious school.And in this tekke, he actually finds all those people with needs, and he pretty much helped them out with all those needs. And the people coming from different religions, they actually started liking people like from the Turks' point of view, because the Turks were symbolized by these Sufi movements. And instead of, you know, pushing people to convert or demolishing the churches and rebuilding mosques and stuff. Instead of that, they actually [00:10:00] welcomed people from all over the world, or all over the place, basically, to stay in the tekke, to eat and to get education in the tekke. So this was a great strategy of Ottomans. That's how they actually stayed in Europe for almost like 600 years. So that was very much like, you know, their strategy, I think. And in a good way.Chris: Yeah, you know, in my research I found out that there's still Sufi orders in the Balkans a group called the Bektashi.Kerim: Right.Chris: And of course, with the very little historical understanding that I had, I was very surprised. I had no idea. But of course, when I eventually went to visit the regions that my father is from, I saw churches, synagogues, and mosques, all in the same little neighbourhoods.[00:11:00] So, quite an impressive kind of understanding that the major religions in those places could coexist for so long. And that in the context of someone who grew up in North America, who thought it was the opposite (previously) and such things are so difficult.Kerim: Right. Right.Chris: So, Kerim, a mutual friend of ours has told me, that in the Turkish language, there is a phrase (and excuse my pronunciation). The phrase is tanri misafiri.Kerim: Right.Chris: Which translates into English as something like “God's guest.”Kerim: Right.Chris: Or “the guest sent by God.”Kerim: Right. Right.Chris: And so I'm wondering if you could speak about this phrase, maybe what it means to you and where you think it comes from?Kerim: Well, in Anatolia, it's a very famous phrase. And like I said previously, you know anybody coming from somewhere else, who comes into somebody's [00:12:00] house, is allowed to stay in the house as “the guest of God,” because we believe that God has sent that guest to us and we try to... you know, it's more like making that guest happy means making God happy. So, that's the understanding of older generations.In today's metropolitan areas, I don't think it's possible because of the security problems and everything. But like I said, in the countryside, people are very welcoming when it comes to this, because it is very important that knowing that person is actually coming from God, from Allah, so we have to take care of that person as much as possible to please God, actually.So that's how it is. I still see that in many cities in the [00:13:00] more eastern side of Turkey or south side of Turkey, or even north side of Turkey except in the bigger cities. But in the smaller cities, people are much more welcoming, again because of this specific idiom, actually.Chris: From tanri misafiri?Kerim: Right. Tanri means “God” in our language. In the original Turkish language, it's tanri, and, misafiri means “ the guest.”Chris: Yeah. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing that with us.Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: And so when guests arrive in a home, you know, in English, at least in, in the context of the older traditions, it is said that the guest or the potential guest, the stranger, asks for hospitality. They don't necessarily say “ they ask for food,” which we can imagine that surely they [00:14:00] do. They don't necessarily say that “they ask for shelter” or “accommodation,” which we surely we could imagine they do. But the literature often says they ask for hospitality.And so, when we think of hospitality today, we often think about people sitting around a table eating food together. And so I'm curious if there's a shared understanding among Sufis or at least the community that you live among and in, about the importance of both eating food and eating food together.Kerim: Togetherness is probably one of the most important things in the Islamic religion. Because like even our way of worshiping God - Allah - we try to do that in a union as much as possible. It is very interesting, the words that “religion” comes from.[00:15:00] Re- means “again,” and legion means “union.”So it's almost like “religion” itself means “to recreate the union,” “to reshape the union,” “ to have the union back,” because we have the tendency to be alone. And even you can imagine that in the western countries, in the western world, a lot of people want to be alone.Like, there's a lot of individuals rather than a group of people. And in the eastern world, it's a little bit different. We are more like family-oriented people. We try to do things together. I mean, there are advantages and disadvantages obviously, but there is a difference between them.So, we always had this [notion that] “the more is better,” basically. You know, more people is better. So, we help each other, [00:16:00] we understand each other, we talk about our problems. When we try to solve them, it's easier together. And if there's pain, you know, the pain actually, can be eased with more people, easier, I think, compared to have this pain alone. So, again, we're more family-oriented people.And the Sufi are very much like that. The Sufi always pray together, and they think that it creates a n energy, basically. It produces an energy that basically helps all of them at the same time, in a union.Chris: Hmm hmm. And do you find that sitting down for a meal together also creates that kind of union, or recreates as you were saying?Kerim: I think so. Doing any kind of activities, including eating... eating is basically the most common activity [00:17:00] that we do in our daily life and getting together, to talk about our things together, and discuss things together, all those things - togetherness, when it comes to the idea of togetherness - I think, is beautiful.Chris: Hmm, hmm. Amen. Yeah, I very much agree with that, Kerim.And so, when we think about hospitality, and we think about food, we often imagine big banquet tables and as you said, this sense of togetherness and celebration.But there's also, you know, from what little I've read, there's also this important aspect of the religious life in the Islamic world, and perhaps in the Sufi world as well that points to, maybe not the absence of food, but a different way of being fed, and a different way of feeding that doesn't [00:18:00] include the food we're used to, the kind of material food. And we often refer to this as fasting. And so, there's a beautiful video that you sent me, Kerim, of your mother speaking, and she recalls a phrase in that video from her own mother who said that “when we welcome suffering, we make honey out of pain.”And so, this is a question I very much want to ask you because I've fasted myself quite intensely. I'm curious, what is the honey that comes from fasting? Or, what do you think is the honey that comes from fasting?Kerim: Right? First of all, yeah, fasting is in our religion. So, we basically do that one month in the whole year. It's called Ramadan. In some cases, we actually do that because our Prophet Muhammad, when he [00:19:00] lived, he was fasting every Monday and every Thursday. So it was like a common practice for some of the religious people. And at least we do that one month in the whole year.And obviously, that month is a little bit difficult, you know, because we not only stop eating, we also stopped drinking and all that stuff. In theory, we should not be lying, we should not be telling bad things to other people or gossiping and all that stuff, but usually we do during that time. I mean, in theory, we should not be doing that.So it's like a whole discipline thing - the whole fasting. And at the end of the thirty days, you become a really, really different person. And first of all, one thing that [00:20:00] I feel, is that you understand the people who do not have food. We still have people in the world, unfortunately, in Africa, and all those places, the people, having less access to food as we do, and we feel like, oh yeah we don't actually thank God for all those things that he's giving to us. And this is the time that you start thinking about the reality and start thanking God for actually giving us all that food, twenty-four hours, seven days [a week]. And when you are fasting during that time, you are understanding the feeling of these people, who are like poor and who cannot eat.There are people now, in the social media, we are seeing people, who never had [00:21:00] chocolates in their life. The people living in these countries or in the cities or metropolitan cities, we never think about these things.So, we take these things for granted, and during that time of fasting, you start thinking about these stuff and then you become more thankful, and that's basically honey itself, after the suffering. And I wouldn't say “suffering,” because we don't suffer as much as they do, honestly.And we're just telling our egos, “just stop for a day to do bad things and stop eating,” and all that stuff that ego wants to have. And again, it's at the end of the thirty days, you become a new person because now you have a different mentality. Now, in the other eleven months, you still forget about these things, but [00:22:00] again, it comes through. It's like a cycle.Chris: Yeah. Yeah. I totally agree with you that, you know, gratitude is the honey and...Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: ...I remember the fasting that I did over the course of four years, and I don't know if it was as intense as the fasting that happens during Ramadan, but doing that fasting and trying to feed something other than myself for a time imbued a degree of hospitality and gratitude that I don't think I had ever felt before. And it sticks to me. It sticks to my bones to this day. And it's something that, like you said, I also have to constantly remind myself of those moments when I sit down to eat a meal, because it's so easy to forget.Kerim: Absolutely. Absolutely. And one thing is [00:23:00] basically during that time of fasting, you basically stop feeding your ego, and start feeding your spirit, basically. That's what I think.Chris: That's beautiful. Yeah. I absolutely understand that. Thank you, Kerim.So my next question is around the word “ submission.” So, translated into English, the word “Islam” means “submission.” Now I've read that this word can also be translated to mean “servants of God.” Servants of God.Now in English, the word “servant” can be synonymous with “host.” A servant and a host. Now, there's a book by an author named Mona Siddiqui called Hospitality in Islam. And in that book she writes, it's actually a quote, but she writes,“'What is faith?' The Prophet replied, ‘the giving of [00:24:00] food and the exchange of greetings.' He ends on a most dramatic note saying, “a house which is not entered by guests is not entered by angels.”Kerim: Perfect. Yeah.Chris: And it seems that in this phrase, the Prophet is suggesting that the way we are with guests and strangers has something to do with how we are with the divine, which I think you kind of alluded to a little bit earlier.And so I'm curious, is this something that you've seen in your own days or in those of others that you know? Is hospitality a practice that connects us to the divine?Kerim: Absolutely. Because reaching God, you need to reach people first. To be able to reach God... when I say “reach God,” meaning be in communication with Him, is basically being in a communication [00:25:00] with the people he created. So, to serve the people is basically serving him from the Islamic point of view.So, and that's a hadith that you mentioned in the book. It's a hadith of Prophet Mohammed, like you said. And Prophet Mohammed always... it was a common practice that he was hosting maybe, you know, 10-15 people every night. And he was a poor person, by the way. I mean, he doesn't have much money, much food or anything, but they share. There was a time that... there's a story that somebody, actually, one of his apostles rather, asks him to visit him for a dinner. So he invites him to a dinner.But during his conversation, Prophet Mommed said, “can I bring my friends too?”[00:26:00]And the apostle says, “of course you can bring your friends.” And he brings hundreds of people. Now, the host only have some bread, and maybe a little bit meat, and a little bit rice in the cup.So, he was ashamed because he doesn't have any money, and the Prophet Mohammed is going to bring all those guests together, and he didn't know what to do. But he uses submission, basically.He said, well, if Prophet Mohammed is coming, then something is going to happen. And as he was thinking all those things, Prophet Mohammed puts his hand on top of the rice holder. And every time he was putting rice onto the dishes, the rice never ends, the meat never ends. So he served like 200 people during this invitation and the food never ended.[00:27:00]So he was happy for his submission, basically.Chris: Wow. Beautiful. Thank you, Kerim.Kerim: Of course.Chris: You know, you have this beautiful book - that is still in the mail, unfortunately I haven't got my hands on it yet, but I'm very much looking forward to it - called Stories From the Thirty Birds, which I understand is inspired by The Conference of the Birds, this incredible book from I think the 1300s.And I'm curious if you could tell us a little bit about that book and what, if any inspiration or maybe teachings around hospitality that come from both, The Conference of the Birds and how you've employed it in your book.Kerim: Right. The Conference of the Birds is really a beautiful story of Farid ud-Din Attar who lived in Nishapur, which is in Khorasan, in Iran, today. And he was one of the very famous [00:28:00] Sufis at that time. He was the teacher of Rumi. A lot of people know Rumi. And he wrote this book about birds, millions of birds, who are in the process of going to their king, which is the phoenix (or what we call it simurg). And during that time, during that travel, they go through seven valleys, and in each valley some of the birds get lost, because the valleys actually symbolize things.Like, the first valley is the valley of intention. So, a lot of birds actually don't have the intention to reach their king. The king is basically symbolizing Allah (God), and the birds are symbolizing us very much, and we are getting [00:29:00] lost during the time of life. Like, our intention is basically this world. If our intention is staying in this world, then we stay in this world. And that's the valley of intention.And a lot of birds, like half of them, actually, get lost in this stage.And the second valley is the valley of love. And the birds that get lost in this valley are the ones that actually think the beauty is in this world, rather than they don't see the beauty of God himself. So they see the shadow of that beauty in the world, but they're content with that beauty, and they don't really want to move on.And again, the third valley is the value of wisdom. And the birds that get lost in this valley are the ones who think that knowledge, [00:30:00] in this world, is more important than anything else, and they don't realize the source of the knowledge is actually their king.So on and so forth, they go through the seven valleys and at the end of the seventh valley, only thirty birds remain. And the thirty birds, they're ready to see their king, and they go through this mountain called Qaf, where the  simurg, the phoenix lives (behind the mountain). And it's very difficult to get there, basically. When they get there, they can't find the king over there. They only find a mirror. So, they realize the king is themselves, but more specifically, the union of thirty birds. So simurg - the [00:31:00] phoenix - in Iranian, in Persian means “thirty birds,” actually. Si is “thirty.” “Burg” is “bird,” actually.So from what we understand is, the union of ourselves, what we are seeing, is our reflection, because the king is actually a perfect mirror. But we don't see ourselves, only, we see the union of thirty birds together. So there are birds that we don't think live together. For instance, a hawk doesn't live with a smaller bird together, but in this union, they live together. There in one. And they use whatever advantage they have together. So it's almost like being one and using the characteristics of every single bird [00:32:00] itself.Chris: And I imagine that someone growing up in a culture like that, whether back then or more recently, and hearing this story or hearing it multiple times throughout their life or maybe once a year, that that notion also might arise in the way that they are with others, the way they are with strangers.Kerim: Right.Chris: And so, I have one final question for you, if that's all right?Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: So, before we say farewell I'd like to ask you about Istanbul, and I'd like to ask you about the limits to hospitality. So, last year, on a trip I took to the city I met a friend of a mutual friend of ours, and for a couple of hours we walked around the Karakoy neighbourhood and he spoke to me about how the city has changed quite a bit over the last decade.For many people who grew up in Istanbul, the city [00:33:00] might now appear to be very difficult to live in. He said that the cost of living has skyrocketed. The rents, the rent prices or costs have doubled. And much of this is a combination of tourism and gentrification in the city.Now it seems that many religious traditions speak of the importance of welcoming strangers and offering them hospitality, but they also speak of the limits to such hospitality. In one particular, hadith or saying of the Prophet Mohammed, it is said that “hospitality is for three days. Anything more is charity or sadaqah.”Again, excuse my pronunciation.Kerim: No. That's perfect pronunciation.Chris: And so I'm curious, you mentioned a little bit earlier, in the Sufi community and perhaps in the Islamic communities, there is this notion of togetherness, but also that “more is better.” And so I'm [00:34:00] curious in the context of what's happening in Istanbul and what's happening in many places around the world, do you think there should also be limits to the hospitality that is offered to the guest or stranger?Kerim: Well, of course. I mean, of course we have financial issues here, and it's very difficult for us to actually serve other people as much as we want to. But again, when we are together, even if it's very difficult to live in the city, it's still something, you know?What I see: the rent went up, like you said, so the people try to move into their family houses, the houses there of their families and everything. And in western countries, it's difficult. You usually don't do this kind of stuff, but in our community, it's much easier to do these things. And, you know, the families welcome the children [00:35:00] more than other countries. So that's something I think that's a positive thing.But to the strangers. What do we do for strangers? Obviously, we do as much as possible. We may not be able to serve them as much as we used to, obviously, before this inflation. And we have the highest inflation in the world, or probably the second-highest inflation. So again, it's difficult, and Istanbul became probably one of the most expensive cities in the world. But even that, again, we may not be able to take them to dinner every night, but we serve what we have in the house, like in the Prophet Mohammed's story.Whatever we have, we share. And, we call it bereket, as in Arabic baraka, they call it. Baraka is something [00:36:00] like... we use it for money. It's not “more money.” That's not important. How do I say that? I don't even know how to say it in English, but it's more like “the luck of the money, itself.” Basically, you may be able to buy more stuff with less money based on your luck. That's basically what we call it. Bereket. So the bereket is much more important than the amount of the money or the financial thing. And the bereket always goes up when you share it.Chris: Beautiful. Yeah, I love that. I mean, in English, not to reduce it at all, but in English we say, quality over quantity.”Kerim: Yeah, absolutely.Chris: And you said that, in order to offer hospitality or the hospitality that we would like to offer to our guests, sometimes maybe that means not doing it all the time, [00:37:00] because one simply cannot. Right. It's not possible.Kerim: Right.Chris: But yeah, it's a really beautiful point.Kerim: Rumi is a very important Sufi, probably known by many Americans. Even the world knows him. He wrote a poem, which is about the guests. So, if you don't mind, I'm gonna read that, uh, it's called the Guest House and it goes like:This human life is a guest house. Every dawn, a new visitor arrives.A gladness, a sadness, a pettiness, a flash of insights all come knocking, unannounced.Welcome them all. Make room even if a band of sorrows storms inand clears your rooms of comfort.Still honour every guest.[00:38:00] Perhaps they empty you to prepare you for something brighter.The gloomy thought, the shame, the bitterness,greet them at the door with a smile, and lead them inside.Be thankful for whoever comes, for each is sent as a messenger from the beyond.So that's a poem by Rumi, and I think it pretty much explains the whole hospitality thing.Chris: Yeah, that's a gorgeous, gorgeous poem. I love that. I'll make sure that's up on the End of Tourism website when the episode launches.And so finally, Kerim, uh, I'd like to thank you so very much for being willing to join me today, to be willing to speak in a language that is not your first, or mother tongue, and to share with us some of the beauty that has touched your days. Before we say goodbye, [00:39:00] perhaps you could tell our listeners how they can follow and learn more about Kerim Vakfı, Stories from the 30 Birds, your book, and any other projects you might want them to know about.Kerim: We have a Sufi centre in North Carolina, at the University of North Carolina. We have a centre in China, Beijing University, and another center in Kyoto University in Japan. And my mother's book about the commentary of some Quranic verses is the one. For instance, Yasin is available through Amazon and my book Stories from the 30 Birds is available on Barnes and Noble and all that other places in US.Chris: Beautiful. Well, I'll make sure that those links are all available on the End of Tourism website and on my Substack when the episode comes out. [00:40:00] And on behalf of our listeners, tesekkur, tesekkur.Kerim: I thank you. Get full access to Chris Christou at chrischristou.substack.com/subscribe

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukEpisode DescriptionYou've built a life. You've done the things you were supposed to do. But underneath it all, there's a quiet question that won't leave you alone: "Is this all there is?" In this episode, Steven Webb shares the deeply personal story of lying in a hospital bed at eighteen, paralysed and unable to speak, wrestling with the two biggest questions of his life. What he discovered is that "is this all there is?" isn't a sign of ingratitude or crisis. It's a doorway to something extraordinary: wonder, mystery, and the breathtaking magic of not knowing. Drawing on the wisdom of Rumi, Alan Watts, and Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki, Steven explores how we can trade our cleverness for bewilderment and see the world through beginner's eyes again.Who Is This Episode For?This episode is for anyone who has ever looked at their life and felt that quiet ache of "is this it?", especially when everything looks fine on the outside. If you're in midlife and questioning what it's all been for, if you feel guilty for wanting something deeper when you know you should be grateful, or if you've simply stopped seeing the magic in everyday moments, Steven Webb recorded this conversation for you.What You'll Hear in This EpisodeSteven opens with a vivid image of a butterfly landing in front of you and asks when you last truly saw the world for the first time. He then takes you back to his hospital bed at eighteen, where two questions rattled around in his mind for months: "Who am I?" and "Is this it?" He explores why this question tends to arrive in midlife, when the forward momentum of building a career, a family, and a life finally slows down enough for you to look around and wonder what it was all for. Carl Jung's idea of the second half of life as a turning inward sits alongside Rumi's invitation to sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment, Alan Watts' beautiful image of the unknown becoming a window rather than a blank space, and Shunryu Suzuki's teaching on beginner's mind. Steven weaves in a story about a little girl discovering that the world through a caravan window is the same world outside the door, and his own moment watching a wave at the Headland Hotel and realising that exact wave would never happen again. The episode closes with a powerful reframe: the question was never really "is this all there is?" The question was always "am I paying attention?"Memorable Quotes from This Episode"That question is not a sign that something's wrong with you. It might actually be one of the most important questions you've ever asked." — Steven Webb"You are not ungrateful. You're not broken. You are not having some kind of crisis." — Steven Webb"Not knowing didn't become a wall. It became a window." — Steven Webb"Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment." — Rumi"In beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in an expert's mind there are few." — Shunryu Suzuki"The magic is in not knowing. The magic is in the fact that right now, in this moment, you are a conscious being in an incomprehensibly vast universe, and you have no idea why. And to me, that's not depressing. That's breathtaking." — Steven Webb"The question was never really, is this all there is? The question was always, am I paying attention?" — Steven WebbTry This TodayNext time the "is this it?" feeling visits you, don't push it away. Go outside or look out of a window. Pick one thing: a tree, a cloud, a bird, a wave. And look at it as if you've never seen it before. Because in a very real sense, you haven't. That exact moment, that exact configuration of light and shadow, has never existed before and will never exist again. Let yourself be bewildered by it.Supporter ThanksThis podcast is completely free and has no adverts or sponsors. It is made possible entirely by the kind people who treat Steven to a coffee. Every contribution pays for the podcast and supports all of Steven's work.A huge and heartfelt thank you to this episode's supporters: Angie, Helen, Suja, Suzanne, Lorna, Liz, Daphne, Sarah, Mikey, Jen, and Venetia. And to the monthly supporters: Joe, Audra, Sin, Jack, Glen, Barb, and Venetia. Thank you also to the wonderful supporters on Insight Timer.If this episode helped you, please consider buying Steven a coffee. Even one makes a difference.About Steven WebbSteven Webb is a meditation teacher, former Mayor of Truro, and C5 tetraplegic. He has spent decades learning what it means to find peace in the most difficult circumstances. Through Stillness in the Storms, he offers honest, warm conversations to help people navigate life's hardest moments. Through Inner Peace Meditations, he provides guided meditations as companions to each episode.Find out more and explore all of Steven's work at stevenwebb.ukConnectWebsite: https://stevenwebb.ukListen, subscribe, and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. Sharing this episode with someone who needs to hear it is one of the best ways to support the show.

Stevens new course: Finding Peace in Everyday Life (you choose how much to pay)Support Stevens work and links to other podcasts: stevenwebb.ukDonate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Buy Steven a coffeeTitle: Awakening the Child Within: A Meditation on Pure Seeing with Meditation Teacher Steven WebbDescription: Meditation teacher Steven Webb guides you through a gentle visualisation practice that reconnects you with the wide eyed wonder you had as a very young child. Inspired by Rumi's timeless words "sell your cleverness, buy bewilderment," this meditation invites you to stand before an imaginary window of wonder and rediscover the extraordinary mystery hidden inside everyday life. It is a companion to the Stillness in the Storms episode exploring the question "Is this all there is?"Who this meditation is for:Anyone who has felt that quiet inner whisper of "is this all there is?"Listeners looking to reconnect with childlike curiosity and beginner's mindPeople who feel stuck in overthinking, labelling, or needing to figure everything outAnyone drawn to contemplative practices inspired by Rumi and Zen wisdomKey benefits:Reconnects you with the sense of wonder and awe you had as a childEases the pressure of needing to know, understand, or fix everythingCultivates presence, openness, and beginner's mindOffers a fresh perspective on the mystery of simply being alivePairs beautifully with the Stillness in the Storms podcast episode for deeper explorationIf you'd like to contact Steven or support his work, go to https://stevenwebb.uk

After witnessing a man drown in the Ganges during the Holi festival in Rishikesh, Kaustubha shares a sobering reflection on death, prayer, and the fragile nature of material life. In this episode of Wisdom of the Sages, he and Raghunath explore how the teachings of Bhakti Yoga and the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam help us confront mortality with clarity and spiritual perspective. But the same sacred text that reminds us of life's temporary nature also opens a window into the highest transcendence. As the discussion moves into the famous pastime of Krishna stealing the garments of the gopīs, the hosts examine a profound distinction drawn by mystics like Rumi—the difference between immorality and a realm beyond morality. In the spiritual world of Vrindavan, divine love is entirely selfless and pure, revealing a reality that transcends the ethical struggles of this world. ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************

After witnessing a man drown in the Ganges during the Holi festival in Rishikesh, Kaustubha shares a sobering reflection on death, prayer, and the fragile nature of material life. In this episode of Wisdom of the Sages, he and Raghunath explore how the teachings of Bhakti Yoga and the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam help us confront mortality with clarity and spiritual perspective. But the same sacred text that reminds us of life's temporary nature also opens a window into the highest transcendence. As the discussion moves into the famous pastime of Krishna stealing the garments of the gopīs, the hosts examine a profound distinction drawn by mystics like Rumi—the difference between immorality and a realm beyond morality. In the spiritual world of Vrindavan, divine love is entirely selfless and pure, revealing a reality that transcends the ethical struggles of this world. ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************

What is the “School of Love” in Sufism? In this video, we explore Madhhab-e Ishq — the Sufi path centered on divine love (ishq) as the highest way to know God. From the poetry of Rumi to the teachings of Ahmad Ghazali, discover how love became a spiritual methodology, a theology, and a transformative path within Islamic mysticism.Find me and my music here:https://linktr.ee/filipholmSupport Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonateSources/Recommended Reading:Caner Dagli (translated by) (2004). Ibn 'Arabi - "The Ringstones of Wisdom (Fusus al-Hikam)". Great Books of the Islamic World. Kazi Pubns Inc.Chittick, William & Peter Lamborn Wilson (translated by) (1982) "Fakhruddin Iraqi: Divine Flashes". Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Paulist Press.Ernst, Carl W. & Bruce B. Lawrence (2003). "Sufi Martyrs of Love: The Chishti Order in South Asia and beyond". Palgrave Macmillan.Ernst, Carl W (translated by) (2018). "Hallaj: Poems of a Sufi Martyr". Northwestern University Press.Inayat Khan, Pir Zia (ed.) (2001). "A Pearl in Wine: Essays on the Life, Music & Sufism of Hazrat Inayat Khan". Omega Publications.Knysh, Alexander (2000). "Islamic Mysticism: A Short History". Brill.Lewis, Franklin D. (2000). "Rumi: Past and Present, East and West". Oneworld publications.Lumbard, Joseph E.B. (2016). "Ahmad al-Ghazālī, Remembrance, and the Metaphysics of Love". SUNY Press.Pourjavady, Nasrollah (translated by) (2015). "Sawanih: Inspirations from the World of Pure Spirits". Routledge.Rustom, Muhammed (translated and edited by) (2022). "The Essence of Reality: A Defense of Philosophical Sufism". New York University Press.Rustom, Muhammed (2024). "Inrushes of the Heart: The Sufi Philosophy of Ayn al-Qudat". State University of New York Press.Safi, Omid (2019). "Radical Love: Teachings from the Islamic Mystical Tradition". Yale University Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An encore presentation in honor of Coleman Barks, who passed away on February 23, 2026. Tami Simon speaks with Coleman, a leading scholar and translator of the 13th-century Persian mystic, Jelaluddin Rumi. Coleman's work was the subject of an hour-long segment in Bill Moyers' Language of Life series with PBS. He has published numerous Rumi translations, including with Sounds True the audio programs I Want Burning, Rumi: The Voice of Longing, and his new three-CD collaboration with cellist David Darling called Just Being Here: Rumi and Human Friendship. In this episode, Tami speaks with Coleman about the extraordinary friendship between Rumi and his teacher, Shams Tabriz, and how translating Rumi requires entering a trance state. Coleman offers insights on grace as he and Tami listen to selections from Just Being Here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Living Myth, Michael Meade considers the current global challenges and emphasizes the importance of living from a place of wholeheartedness. He reflects on the symbolism of an open heart and how facing personal fears contributes to living a life of meaning and purpose. Woven through this episode are poems from Rumi and William Stafford about the need for transformation and the unique role each soul plays in the world's drama.   Like the Earth, the human heart bears an inner flame that can burn with intense passions and deep longings, but can also illuminate paths of compassion, healing and renewal. Our greatest obstacles and sufferings aim at a revelation of the heart within our heart. For, what the heart loves is the cure and what cures the human heart can help heal a broken world.   Thank you for listening to and supporting Living Myth. You can hear Michael Meade live by joining his free online event "Finding Ways to Make a Change" on Thursday, March 5. Register and learn more at mosaicvoices.org/events   You can further support this podcast by becoming a member of Living Myth Premium. Members receive bonus episodes each month, access to the full archives of over 740 episodes and a 30% discount on all events, courses and book and audio titles.   Learn more and join this community of listeners at patreon.com/livingmyth   Along with these free weekly podcasts, you can now read free weekly essays and long form posts by Michael Meade on Substack. Learn more and subscribe at michaeljmeade.substack.com   If you enjoy this podcast, we appreciate you leaving a review wherever you listen and sharing it with your friends. On behalf of Michael Meade and the whole Mosaic staff, we wish you well and thank you for your support of our work.

Send a textWe're going up, up, up — it's our moment — as the hosts review last year's biggest movie, the global phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters, directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans. The film became one of the most talked-about releases of the summer of last year. In the episode, the hosts break down its high-energy performances, supernatural action, and bold animation style — plus the chart-topping, record-smashing soundtrack that took over streaming platforms. The host pair the film with Dragon Fruit Hunter cocktail.  Join the hosts as they get ready to slay some demons and celebrate this phenomenal movie event.Come listen and follow the hosts on Instagram and YouTube channel  @the.gentlemenpodcast

Send a textJon and Doug discuss how language can both help and hinder our practice.Doug's Dharma Video:A Poem That Isn't: Buddhist Mindfulness and Rumi's "Guest House" -- https://youtu.be/1E79pU6GzNsSupport the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/

Rumi said, “Your task is not to seek for love, but nearly to seek and find all the barriers with yourself that you have built against it.” Let remove the barriers to allow the love to flow.

Pain is inevitable, but suffering does not have to be.

Emily  interviews Brian Robinson, a Silicon Valley teacher, lawyer, swim coach, and poet, about what matters most to him right now: showing up for his children as a father. Brian shares the story of his sudden cardiac arrest during swim practice in May 2021, how teens at the pool got him help and an AED shock saved his life, and how his kids' voices on a Zoom call helped wake him from an induced coma. They talk about his recovery, how his kids have processed the experience over time, and the unanswered questions about why it happened. In the speed round, they touch on fatherhood, global athletic competition, resilience, classic poetry (including Rumi's “The Guest House”), physical and cardiac health, functional beverages, and superstitions. Brian also mentions his children's picture book about the experience, "You Called Daddy".More Info: www.BrianRobinsonAuthor.com00:24 What Matters Most Now01:07 Collapse at Swim Practice02:35 CPR and Hospital Coma03:32 Kids Wake Him Up05:06 New Perspective on Fatherhood10:06 No Warning Signs11:15 Matters Speed Round Begins13:52 Poetry and Mindfulness15:09 Health Habits and Hype Drinks17:37 Where to Find BrianThis podcast is brought to you by Matters.com. A new social media and collaboration platform - launching soon. Join thousands getting the Matters.com newsletter — world news, fresh perspectives, and early beta access.

The Best Spiritual Teachers of All Time | 10 Masters That Can Change Your Life. What do Lao Tzu, Confucius, the Buddha, Peace Pilgrim, Rumi, Don Miguel Ruiz, Byron Katie, Eckhart Tolle, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Edgar Cayce have in common?They each left behind a spiritual blueprint that still transforms lives today.In this video, we journey through time to uncover the core teachings, timeless wisdom, and powerful tools of 10 of the world's most influential spiritual teachers. Whether you're drawn to Taoism, Buddhism, poetry, mysticism, intuitive healing, or modern non-duality, this is your launchpad.

For the fans!Today we address the phenomenon that has taken the world by storm. The catchy songs, the engaging characters, the morals of authenticity, unity, and self-worth, and the 700 two-second videos all about turtles… we're so down!Today's little soda pop is Fizz & Co. Seltzer with a hint of root beer.Intro and Outro music by Stockmusic331 on Pond5Send a text

Warm greetings and welcome to February, a month during which Love in all of its expressions is celebratorily acknowledged. Each of us is a demonstration of February's theme, “Living in the Energy Field of Love,” which was inspired by the Persian mystic and poet Rumi. Love is the very heart of our spiritual practice, and […]

Adam helps a client feel worthy of being their own priority to pursue a mission that would positively impact the world. This session uses the words and teachings of Rumi to inspire the hypnotic suggestions to create powerful and positive changes. To access all other subscriber-only versions with no intro, outro, explanation, or ad breaks and 24 hours earlier than everyone else, tap 'Subscribe' nearby or click the following link.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/adam-cox858/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This version edited of filler words. Watch the unedited, uncensored version here: https://youtube.com/live/DN6tc1FqA9MKamran Pasha (whom I know from his many appearances with Diktor Von Doomcock of DVD Overlord fame) joins for a discussion on the mysteries of Sufism and his new screenplay on the occult life of Marilyn Monroe in Hollywood.Kamran Pasha is a screenwriter, director, and showrunner. He is currently developing a series set in the Ottoman Empire for STARZ, and has sold a drama set in the world of Illuminati conspiracies to Warner Brothers Television.Kamran recently worked as writer-producer on Showtime Network's drama series set in the American military prison at Guantanamo Bay, directed by Oliver Stone. Previously, Kamran served as a writer and co-producer of Showtime's Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated series “Sleeper Cell,” about a Muslim FBI agent who infiltrates a terrorist group. Kamran has also served as a writer and producer on television shows such as“Reign,” “Nikita” and “Roswell, New Mexico” on the CW, and “Kings” and “BionicWoman” on NBC. He also served as head writer for the “Tron: Uprising” animated series on Disney XD. Kamran's movie career launched when he sold his first feature script to Warner Brothers Pictures, an historical epic on the love story behind the building of the Taj Mahal. He is currently developing a movie on the famed Sufi poet Rumi, as well as a feature film about Ibn Battuta, which follows the adventures of an Arab traveler who journeyed from Morocco to China in the 14th century.Kamran is a published novelist as well. In 2009, Simon & Schuster published “Mother of the Believers,” a novel showing the rise of Islam from the eyes of Prophet Muhammad's wife Aisha. His second novel, “Shadow of the Swords,” follows the conflict between Richard the Lionheart and the Muslim leader Saladin for control of Jerusalem during the Crusades.Kamran holds a BA and an MBA from Dartmouth College, a JD from Cornell LawSchool, and is an alumnus of the MFA Producers Program at UCLA Film School.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/magick-without-fears-frater-r-c-hermetic-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

How does listening to the Qur'an differ from reading it? What does it mean to approach the Qur'an not with your mind but with your whole existence?In this episode of Thinking Islam, Dr Abdolkarim Soroush proposes an existential encounter with the Qur'an, one that asks us to set aside our assumptions and approach it not as a book of law or philosophy but as maw'iẓa (admonition) that speaks to the whole being. This conversation explores the difference between reading and listening, why Rumi's Mathnawi is called the Persian Qur'an, and what it means to have a pure heart as a precondition for understanding the Qur'an. We delve into how kufr in the Qur'an is not about non-belief but about arrogance before truth, and why, as Dr Soroush tells us, the companion according to Sufis is everything.Dr Abdolkarim Soroush is a distinguished philosopher of religion and a leading voice in Islamic intellectual reform. A Visiting Scholar at the University of Maryland and former Professor at the University of Tehran, he has held visiting positions at Harvard, Princeton, and Yale Universities. Dr Soroush is renowned for his influential work on prophetic experience and his contributions to contemporary Islamic philosophy and Qur'anic hermeneutics.Audio Chapters:0:00 - Highlights01:30 - Relation between Qur'an & Its Reader07:20 - Uneven depth of the Qur'an13:09 - Reading vs Listening to Qur'an24:44 - Existential Reading of the Qur'an32:36 - Losing the Sense of Maw'iza in Translation39:33 - Rumi's Mathnawi: A Persian Qur'an44:50 - Pure Heart & Qur'an49:17 - Love & Companionship 55:19 - Is Qur'an not a Kitab?58:32 - Thinking Islam Question

In today's episode, Gina discusses some of the most important solutions for overcoming anxiety's interference with our sleep. From alcohol moderation or elimination, to caffeine elimination and late-night screen time and other blue light elimination, these tips will help you get back to a regular sleep pattern! Listen in and begin to reclaim your healthy sleep starting tonight! Stillpoint Fridays is my once-a-week Friday note — a slower, more personal reflection that's different from what I share on the podcast. If you'd like a quiet place to land as the week winds down, you can join here: http://eepurl.com/bR2F9P or on our website anxietycoachespodcast.com and sign up for the newsletter. Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors! https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/ Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One CoachingIf you prefer to listen AD-FREE, try our Supercast premium access membership: Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety? Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for AnxietyQuote:Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you.-RumiChapters0:26 Introduction to Rest and Safety2:10 The Paradox of Anxiety3:55 Everyday Stimulants and Sleep6:22 Signals for Better Sleep8:03 Closing Rituals for Rest14:16 Embracing Sleep as Safety15:57 Final Thoughts and Rumi's WisdomSummaryIn this episode, I delve into the intricate relationship between anxiety, rest, and sleep. We often think of rest as the body's response to fatigue, yet it's crucial to understand that real rest and restorative sleep occur when our bodies feel safe—not merely when we force ourselves to wind down. I explore the all-too-common experience of feeling exhausted yet wired, where anxiety heightens our mental alertness, leaving our bodies unable to relax. This paradox can lead to self-blame, where we tell ourselves that we're failing at sleep or lacking discipline. It's essential to reframe this perspective; sleep isn't a moral obligation but rather a state of the nervous system that reacts to our environment.Anxiety tends to keep our nervous systems in a constant state of hyper-alertness, prompting feelings of exhaustion coupled with restlessness. Our bodies become conditioned to link stillness with vulnerability, resulting in an inability to let go of that constant readiness. When it comes time to sleep, our bodies fail to transition smoothly from a state of stress to calm because the hormonal responses—cortisol and adrenaline—function as if a threat is still present. I underline the irony of sleep pressure: the more we try to force sleep, the more anxious we become, activating rather than calming our nervous systems.I emphasize that everyday stimulants like alcohol and caffeine can exacerbate these issues, disrupting an already fragile sleep quality. While alcohol may initially help with sleep onset, it often leads to fragmented slumber, particularly for those with anxious systems. Similarly, caffeine may not seem disruptive at first but can keep stress hormones elevated longer than one might realize. I encourage listeners to experiment with these substances without judgment, fostering a deeper understanding of how they affect sleep.#AnxietyRelief #SleepHealth #NervousSystem #MentalHealthMatters #InsomniaSupport #Mindfulness #TiredButWired #SelfCompassion #StressManagement #SleepWell #AnxietyCoachesPodcast #WellnessJourney #RestIsProductive #HolisticHealing #CalmYourMind #SleepRituals #HealthyLiving #InnerPeace #MentalWellness #BedtimeRitual #SleepHygiene #StressRelief #VagusNerve #DeepSleep #CalmAndCollected #BurnoutRecovery #SleepSupport #MindBodyConnection #RelaxationMode #OvercomingAnxiety #HealingJourney #SleepBetter #NighttimeAnxiety #SelfCareDaily #HolisticWellness #NervousSystemRegulation #PeaceOfMind #EmotionalSafety #RestAndRecovery #CalmVibes #MindfulLiving #SleepMeditation #MentalHealthSupport #AnxietyRecovery #SleepTips #RechargeYourself #StressFree #InnerCalm #HealthyMindset #SleepHelpSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this solo episode, I return to James Hillman's chapter on the puer aeternus and pothos from Loose Ends — and explore how longing may not be a problem to solve, but the very engine of being alive.Building on Jung's reflections on the wanderer while moving beyond a mother-centered interpretation of desire, Hillman reframes longing as structural to consciousness itself. I weave his insights together with Lacan's notion of lack, Jaak Panksepp's SEEKING system in affective neuroscience, Emmanuel Coccia's reflections on fear as the death of desire, and even a Rumi quote I strongly disagree with.This episode is also deeply personal. I reflect on my own journey in therapy, the suspicion of desire within Christian spaces, the demonization of the puer archetype, and why I'm learning to trust longing again — including how erotic pursuit can become a conscious participation in that blue flame rather than a distraction from it.What if wandering isn't immaturity?What if desire isn't deception?What if depression is, at least sometimes, the extinguishing of the flame that keeps us reaching?Not all who wander are lost.

Warm greetings and welcome to February, a month during which Love in all of its expressions is celebratorily acknowledged. Each of us is a demonstration of February's theme, “Living in the Energy Field of Love,” which was inspired by the Persian mystic and poet Rumi. Love is the very heart of our spiritual practice, and […]

This week, KPop Demon Hunters' Arden Cho joins us to talk about Rumi, the World Series of Poker, and how NOT to behave when you're about to propose. Plus, the Tom Papa, Paula Poundstone, and Beth Stelling shut down El Paso's airport and confess to cheating at the Olympics. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In this powerful episode, Ruby shares her story of birth trauma, medical dismissal, and her daughter Rumi's diagnosis of HIE (hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy). Ruby walks us through being sent home multiple times while in labor, giving birth to a baby who was not breathing, surviving a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage, and navigating the NICU and devastating uncertainty that followed. This conversation also names the role of racism and bias in women's health, especially toward Indigenous and other marginalized parents, and how being ignored, minimized, and not believed can have life-altering consequences for both parent and baby.In this episode, we talk about:

I almost stopped this episode mid-recording. That's never happened before.Dr. John Demartini is a human behavior specialist, bestselling author of over 40 books, and one of the featured teachers in the global phenomenon The Secret. He has spoken in over 100 countries, shared stages with Deepak Chopra, Stephen Covey, and Richard Branson, and has spent over five decades developing methodologies used by psychologists, educators, and executives around the world. He is, by any measure, one of the most influential voices in the personal development space.He also told me, to my face, that there are "upsides to the murder of children." That evil does not exist. That a person torturing another person is simply an event, not a moral violation. That every act of cruelty is just a projection of our incomplete awareness. And Jesus is neither good nor bad, and “Rumi is a jihadist in his own way.”I couldn't let that stand.What followed was the most heated, raw, and philosophically charged conversation I've ever had on this show. We went round after round on moral relativism, the nature of good and evil, the body's innate knowledge of right and wrong, and whether we have a sacred obligation to stand against cruelty or simply find the blessing in it.This is not a comfortable listen. But it might be one of the most important conversations I've ever had. Check out Dr. John Demartini's podcast The Martini Show | ⁠https://drdemartini.com/podcast/⁠| Dr. John Demartini |►Website | ⁠https://drdemartini.com/⁠►Instagram | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjohndemartini⁠►YouTube | ⁠https://www.youtube.com/drdemartini⁠This episode is sponsored by►Metal Mark Golden Collectable Art | ⁠ ⁠https://mtlmrk.com/⁠⁠►Korrect Energy |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://korrectlife.com/⁠⁠| Aubrey Marcus |►Website |⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/2GesYqi ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠►Instagram |⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/2BlfCEO ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠►Facebook |⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/2F4nBZk ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠►X |⁠⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/2BlGBAdAd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠► Love To The Seventh Power:⁠ ⁠https://chakaruna.com/collections/books⁠⁠► Own The Day, Own Your Life:⁠ ⁠http://bit.ly/2vRz4so⁠⁠► Aubrey Marcus Podcast:⁠⁠ https://apple.co/2ns8zFP⁠⁠► Ayahuasca Documentary:⁠ ⁠http://bit.ly/2OrNBTf⁠⁠►Newsletter⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.aubreymarcus.com/pages/email⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the Aubrey Marcus podcast:►iTunes |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://apple.co/2lMZRCn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠►Spotify |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://spoti.fi/2EaELZO ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠►Stitcher |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/2G8ccJt ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠►IHeartRadio |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ihr.fm/3CiV4x3 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠►Partner with the Aubrey Marcus Podcast | ⁠⁠https://modernstoa.co/aubrey-marcus-podcast-page/⁠⁠

This episode is a quiet pause at the start of the day—a meditation on mornings as gifts rather than obligations. Drawing on Stoic gratitude and four short poems by Billy Collins, Mary Oliver, Rumi, and Frank O'Hara, it invites us to meet the day with attentiveness instead of haste. Each poem becomes a way of honoring the simple fact of waking up, before goals, worries, or noise rush in. It's an offering of stillness, meant to be lingered with and returned to, one morning at a time.

This week we cover our third film in a row which features a prosthetic leg, Sirât by Galician filmmaker, Oliver Laxe. We cover the long road to getting this film made, and the challenges of shooting on film in the desert. After we cover the background, we dive into the movie itself and discuss everything we loved about it. Finally, we each pair the film with another for a pair of double bills for your viewing pleasure.Thank you so much for listening! Support us at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DoubleBillChill Created by Spike Alkire & Jake KelleyTheme Song by Breck McGoughFollow us on Instagram: @DoubleBillChillLetterboxd: FartsDomino44

In this episode, we dissect the Rumi quote, "Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers you have built against it, and embrace them."To join opening the heart, click here: https://corymuscara.com/heart-podcast 

Warm greetings and welcome to February, a month during which Love in all of its expressions is celebratorily acknowledged. Each of us is a demonstration of February's theme, “Living in the Energy Field of Love,” which was inspired by the Persian mystic and poet Rumi. Love is the very heart of our spiritual practice, and […]

Former Christian Minister Craig Fentor was in the midst of a deep spiritual void when he first picked up a book of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi's poetry in his local LA bookshop. The writings of Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic scholar, and Sufi mystic have long inspired people across faiths. And Rumi's poetry on divine love and the soul's journey toward God would captivate Craig, inspiring him to leave behind his Californian home, to begin a new life as a whirling dervish in Turkey. The BBC's Emily Wither travelled to meet Craig Fenter - now known as Ismail - in the Central Anatolian city of Konya. Konya is known as Rumi's resting place and is now an important pilgrimage site for his followers. It is here where Ismail joined the Mevleni order, became a disciple of Rumi and converted to Islam. Ismail is now working on a new English translation of Rumi's most famous work, the Masnavi-yi Maʿnavi, 25,000 verses of rhymed couplets in Persian. Ismail believes it is his calling to work on a modern translation of Rumi's greatest work, for which he has the blessing of Rumi's 22nd generation direct descendants. [Photo Description: Whirling dervish Ismail Fentor stands in front of the Mevlana Museum and tomb site of 13th century Persian poet and Islamic scholar, Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi in Konya, Turkey.Photo Credit: Emily Wither] Producer/presenter: Emily Wither Series Producer: Rajeev Gupta Editor: Chloe Walker Production Coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno Music: Ismail C Fentor

Lalita du Perron talks to Afghan historian Mejgan Massoumi (PhD, Stanford, now at Carnegie Mellon University) and South Asia bibliographer Ryan Perkins about the incredible Ustad Mahwash archive, recently acquired by Stanford Libraries. They discuss the ongoing relevance of Ustad Mahwash's legacy, some gems that are in the collection and worth checking out, and the importance of archives in keeping traditions alive. Episode notes and resources:Ustad Mahwash's main online exhibit page. Ustad Sarahang's letterBrief biographical sketch of Ustad MahwashNotes about the music files in the episode1) Beshnaw az Nai (Listen to the Reed) The poetry is from Mawlana's (Rumi's) opening lines to his Mastnavi. This is one of Ustad Mahwash's masterpieces from the Kharabati/Classical Afghan Music tradition. (Featured in the podcast Intro- 00:00-01:30 min).2) Houri, Houri, Houri (Houri/Noori is the name of a girl, and Noori comes from the Arabic Noor meaning Light, as in light of God, light of beauty, etc.) This is a signature Ustad Mahwash "pop" song and many attach it to her repertoire. (Part of this song is featured at 20:52-21:47 min in the podcast). 3) Guleh Seybem (My Apple Blossom, i.e. another way of saying my Beloved or My Sweetheart, etc) This is also a signature Ustad Mahwash "pop" song and it is wildly popular because the more contemporary female Afghan superstar, Aryana Sayeed, made one of her debut concerts in Afghanistan in the early 2000s with this song. Ironically most people associate this song with Aryana Sayeed, because they do not know or realize it's original performance was from Ustad Mahwash. (Part of this song is featured at the outro of the podcast starting at 26:23 mins- end).

Warm greetings and welcome to February, a month during which Love in all of its expressions is celebratorily acknowledged. Each of us is a demonstration of February's theme, “Living in the Energy Field of Love,” which was inspired by the Persian mystic and poet Rumi. Love is the very heart of our spiritual practice, and […]

Today, Banafsheh Sayyad and I explore the profound connection between dance, spirituality, and healing. Banafsheh shares her journey from childhood dancing to becoming a master sacred dancer and choreographer, emphasizing the importance of embodying one's soul through movement. We discuss the transformative power of dance in overcoming trauma, the meditative aspects of movement, and the cultural influences that shape various dance styles. The conversation culminates in a call to honor the body as a sacred temple and to support change in the world. Banafsheh Sayyad (Ban-af-sheh S-eye-aad), MFA, Choreography and MA, Chinese Medicine, is a master sacred dancer, choreographer, and visionary teacher of spiritual embodiment whose life's work is devoted to helping people activate greater health, awareness, and resilience through conscious movement. Internationally acclaimed for her pioneering fusion of spirituality and sensuality, she is the founder of Dance of Oneness®, a Divine Feminine lineage of healing and transformation uniting Sufi whirling, Persian dance, flamenco, mysticism, and Taoist wisdom. Her forthcoming book, Dance of Oneness (St. Martin's Essentials, March 2026), invites readers to rediscover the body as a portal to presence, vitality, and joy. Drawing from her own awakening through dance that transmuted the pain of exile from Iran, Banafsheh weaves Rumi's poetry, feminine mysticism, and embodied healing into a radiant call to live as a channel of love and light. Born in Iran to legendary filmmaker Parviz Sayyad, she defied cultural taboos to create a feminine expression of Sufi whirling, transforming dance into a pathway of liberation, divine communion, and activism. Through her non-profit NAMAH and her transformative teachings at centers such as Esalen, Kripalu, Omega, and Hollyhock, Banafsheh has inspired thousands across the world to awaken, embody love, and dance the divine into being. Find Banafsheh: https://danceofoneness.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/dancemystical https://www.instagram.com/banafshehdance/ https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Oneness-Embody-Luminosity-Transform/dp/1649633831 Conscious Life Expo: https://consciouslifeexpo.com/banafsheh-sayyad-2026/?searchid=0&search_query=banafshe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Translator, performance artist, writer, and educator Haleh Liza Gafori on translating Rumi with fidelity and music, and what his poetry can teach us about liberation, attention, and love.You'll learn:Habits Haleh uses to re-centre and get quiet enough to work. How she learned to trust sound and rhythm first, and let meaning arrive through the ear. The moment she realised she needed to make her own translations, and what triggered that decision. A simple test for “is this translation working?”, including why one wrong image can flip the whole poem. Principles Haleh uses to keep translations clear, musical, and emotionally true in English. What an editor can mean by “find your voice,” and how to develop a consistent voice as a translator. How to work with old texts honestly, including naming what doesn't align with your ethics today. What Rumi can teach modern readers about attention, ego, and compassion in daily life. How love shows up in Rumi as a discipline, not a vibe, and why that matters in hard times. What Haleh is building next, and how teaching can deepen (not dilute) your creative practice. About Haleh Liza Gafori:Haleh Liza Gafori is a New York City-born translator, performance artist, writer, and educator of Persian descent. A 2024 MacDowell fellow, she has translated the poetry of the Persian mystic and sage Rumi. Her book of translations, Gold: Poems by Rumi, was published by New York Review Books in 2022. Her second volume of translations, Water: Poems by Rumi, was released in 2025, also by NYRB Classics. Supported by an NYSCA grant, Gafori has created a musical and cross-media performance based on the book, and has presented her work through performances, lectures, and workshops at institutions such as Lincoln Center, Stanford University, the Academy of American Poets, and Sarah Lawrence College. Her book of translations Gold has been incorporated into curricula at universities across the country. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers' Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS' SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you're enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

MUSICGene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Taylor Swift, Alanis Morissette and Kenny Loggins have been elected in the Performing Songwriters category for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. At 36, Taylor is the youngest female to achieve this honor.In the Non-Performing Songwriters category, those elected are:Walter Afanasieff (for Mariah Carey) - "All I Want For Christmas Is You," "My All," "Hero," and "One Sweet Day"Terry Britten and Graham Lyle (for Tina Turner) - "What's Love Got To Do With It" and "We Don't Need Another Hero," and for Cliff Richard - "Devil Woman"Christopher “Tricky” Stewart - "Umbrella" (Rihanna), "Single Ladies" and "Break My Soul" (Beyonce), "Obsessed" (Mariah Carey), and "Just Fine" (Mary J. Blige)To be nominated, a songwriter with a catalog of notable songs qualifies for induction 20 years after their first commercial release of a song. The induction ceremony will be held on June 11th in New York City.Among those nominated but who fell short this year were:Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings - The Guess WhoDavid Byrne - Talking HeadsSarah McLachlanPink - real name Alecia B. MooreBoz ScaggsLL Cool J - real name James Todd Smith Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer will screen their concert film Normal Isn't: Puscifer Live at The Pacific Stock Exchange from February 6th through the 8th for free at 100 independent record stores. The film will then go on sale February 9th through the band's website. Phil Collins turns 75 on January 30th, and things aren't going great. https://consequence.net/2026/01/phil-collins-health-update-2026/ TVKaramo Brown reportedly fell out with his "Queer Eye" costars because they were talking behind his back . . . and his mother overheard it. https://www.tmz.com/2026/01/21/queer-eye-karamo-brown-hot-mic-rift-hosts/ William Shatner went viral the other day for eating cereal behind the wheel. But it turns out it was all for Kellogg's Super Bowl commercial. He took a few publicity photos at different locations, including the behind the wheel shot, which he says is one of the silliest photos he's ever taken. Shatner says the actual commercial will be him inside a spaceship. Here are a few other Super Bowl commercials we can expect to see: 1. Post Malone, Shane Gillis, and Peyton Manning are returning as the "Big Men on the Cul-de-Sac" for Bud Light. Instead of a neighborhood block party, they're on their way to a wedding with a keg of Bud Light.2. Liquid I.V. released a short clip of Rumi from "Kpop Demon Hunters" . . . singing a cover of Phil Collins' "Against All Odds". Netflix's revival of the talent show "Star Search" is live, and one of the singers, Bear Bailey, had signed up to sing Jelly Roll's song "Hard Fought Hallelujah" before Jelly was announced as a judge on the show. Bear's performance had Jelly in tears and speechless for a while. Wheel of Fortune co-host Vanna White married her longtime partner, John Donaldson, in a private ceremony, the 68-year-old announced on Instagram Wednesday.“Surprise! We got married!” White wrote, sharing a photo from the celebration with Donaldson carrying her in his arms. The couple, together since meeting at a 2012 barbecue, said they “wanted to make it official” after more than a decade of dating.White has been a fixture on the hit game show since 1982 and now co-hosts alongside Ryan Seacrest following Pat Sajak's retirement. She was previously married to restaurateur George Santo Pietro, with whom she shares two adult children. Kristen Bell will return to host the 32nd Annual Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA on March 1st. https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/kristen-bell-host-sag-aftra-actor-awards-1236636289/ If you've been planning to pick up a Nintendo Switch 2, you might want to act fast. Industry insiders are noticing that the cost of the high-tech parts inside the console, like memory and storage, has been quietly climbing, which means Nintendo might have to raise the price of the Switch 2. It wouldn't be such a radical move as the PlayStation and Xbox have already increased the prices of their consoles after releasing them to the public. Netflix has canceled both "The Vince Staples Show" and "The Abandons." https://deadline.com/2026/01/the-abandons-the-vince-staples-show-canceled-netflix-1236691960/ MOVING ON INTO MOVIE NEWS: The Mel Brooks documentary, "The 99 Year Old Man", includes posthumous interviews with David Lynch and Rob Reiner. It airs in two parts, tonight and tomorrow ON HBO. https://nypost.com/2026/01/21/entertainment/mel-brooks-doc-will-include-posthumous-interviews-with-david-lynch-rob-reiner-its-a-tribute/ The annual Goop Valentine's Day gift guide is here. And as usual, it includes a wide range of vibrators . . . including one you wear around your neck called the Vesper Mini. It's 2.75 inches long, has variable speeds and . . . it's waterproof! And if you feel like taking things to the next level, you can kick it into TURBO MODE. The price for pleasure, in this case, is $165.For his-n-hers action, there's also The Hug. It wraps around him, but it stimulates both of you at the same time. And for just $79. Ladies, if you really want him to have a VD he'll never forget, you can throw down $10,000 to design your own lingerie. That price gets you a session with an actual designer, and together you to come up with your own three-piece collection. AND FINALLY – it's time for the RIZZIE RAZZIES:The Golden Raspberry Awards, known as the Razzies, has announced the nominations for its 46th edition. Here are the nominees: WORST PICTURE “The Electric State” “Hurry Up Tomorrow” “Snow White” (2025) “Star Trek: Section 31” “War of the Worlds” (2025) WORST ACTOR Dave Bautista / “In the Lost Lands” Ice Cube / “War of the Worlds” Scott Eastwood / “Alarum” Jared Leto / “Tron: Ares” Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye / “Hurry Up Tomorrow” WORST ACTRESS Ariana DeBose / “Love Hurts” Milla Jovovich / “In the Lost Lands” Natalie Portman / “Fountain of Youth” Rebel Wilson / “Bride Hard” Michelle Yeoh / “Star Trek: Section 31” WORST REMAKE/RIP-OFF/SEQUEL “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (2025) “Five Nights at Freddy's 2” “Smurfs” (2025) “Snow White” (2025) “War of the Worlds” (2025) WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Anna Chlumsky / “Bride Hard” Ema Horvath / “The Strangers: Chapter 2” Scarlet Rose Stallone / “Gunslingers” Kacey Rohl / “Star Trek: Section 31” Isis Valverde / “Alarum” WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR All Seven Artificial Dwarfs / “Snow White” (2025) Nicolas Cage / “Gunslingers” Stephen Dorff / “Bride Hard” Greg Kinnear / “Off the Grid” Sylvester Stallone / “Alarum” WORST SCREEN COMBO All Seven Dwarfs / “Snow White” (2025) James Corden & Rihanna / “Smurfs” (2025) Ice Cube & His Zoom Camera / “War of the Worlds” (2025) Robert DeNiro & Robert DeNiro (as Frank & Vito) / “The Alto Knights” The Weeknd & His Colossal Ego / “Hurry Up Tomorrow” WORST DIRECTOR Rich Lee / “War of the Worlds” (2025) Olatunde Osunsanmi / “Star Trek: Section 31” The Russo Brothers / “The Electric State” Trey Edward Shults / “Hurry Up Tomorrow” Marc Webb / “Snow White” (2025) WORST SCREENPLAY “The Electric State” / Screenplay by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. Adapted from the illustrated novel by Simon Stalenhag. “Hurry Up Tomorrow” / Screenplay by Trey Edward Shults, Abel Tesfaye, Reza Fahim “Snow White” (2025) / Screenplay by Erin Cressida Wilson and a bunch of others too numerous to mention. Drawing from the original fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. “Star Trek: Section 31” / Screenplay by Craig Sweeny with original story concept developed by Bo Yeon Kim & Erika Lippoldt “War of the Worlds” (2025) / Screen Story and Screenplay by Kenny Golde and screenplay by Marc Hyman, adapting (or destroying) the classic novel by H.G. Wells. AND THAT IS YOUR CRAP ON CELEBRITIES!Follow The Rizzuto Show → linktr.ee/rizzshow for more from your favorite Saint Louis comedy show.Connect with The Rizzuto Show Comedy Podcast online → 1057thepoint.com/RizzShow.Hear The Rizz Show daily on the radio at 105.7 The Point | Hubbard Radio in St. Louis, MO.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feb 17, 2025   Dr. Rory Dickson is a professor of Islamic Religion and Culture and author of several publications on Sufism, the mystical path within Islam. He joins Breht to have an incredibly deep conversation about the Sufi poet Rumi, his life and work, Rumi's relationship to his teacher Shams of Tabriz, the concepts of fana (annihilation of the self) and baqa(subsistence in God), the spiritual practices of Sufism, non-duality and perennialism, "dying before you die", Buddhist enlightenment, the Quran, Serving the People in politics and religion, the role of Divine Love in spiritual transformation, transcending the ego, Bodhicitta and the Heart of the Bodhisattva, the counter-cultural aspects of the historical dervishes, The Masnavi  (aka the "Persian Quran"), Christian Mysticism, the evolution of human consciousness, the linguistics of translation, and much, much more! Check out Rory's book "Dissolving into Being: The Wisdom of Sufi Philosophy" Recommendations for Further Exploration: Rumi's World: The Life and Work of the Great Sufi Poet The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi Check out our related episodes with Dr. Adnan Husain: Sufism: Islamic Mysticism and the Annihilation of Self in God St. Francis of Assisi: Patron Saint of Ecology & Brother to All Creation ------------------------------------------------------------ Outro Music: Something's Out There by Neva Dinova Support Rev Left and get bonus episodes on Patreon Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow RLR on IG HERE Learn more about Rev Left HERE