Omid Safi

Dr. Omid Safi, a professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Duke University with a focus on Sufism, shares profound insights on navigating crises through creativity. He discusses how singing and poetry serve as vital expressions of longing and connection in tumultuous times. Safi emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty and fostering genuine relationships to heal societal wounds. By viewing the universe as a beloved mystery, he advocates for cultivating sacredness and empathy amidst modern disconnection, urging listeners to find strength through emotional expression.

Exploring justice as a living force in the world, delving into the concept of balance and responsibility, reflecting on the impermanence of power, discussing the myth of Nemesis, celebrating spirituality in adversity, and seeking personal reconciliation for a better world.

In our time, some associate the word “religion” with rigid dogma and the excesses of institutions. The word “spirituality” on the other hand can seem to have little substance or form. The word “faith” can appear as a compromise of sorts, pointing to the content of religious tradition and spiritual experience. The truth is, all of these words are vague in the abstract. They gain meaning in the context of human experience. In this show, we’ll explore the connotations of the word “faith” in four traditions and lives: Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We’ll speak with Sharon Salzberg, Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, Anne Lamott, and Omid Safi. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Omid Safi discusses deepening faith into ecstatic adoration of God, the unity of Allah, virtue in Islam, and experiencing Allah through beauty. He emphasizes worshiping God for more than salvation, unwavering divine presence, the eternal now, and individual spiritual journeys.

Omid (Umid) Safi, a scholar of Islamic studies and Sufism known for his work on mystical Islam and radical love, joins to trace the Madhhab-e Ishq. He discusses Ahmad Ghazali, Rumi, Ibn Arabi and poetry that makes love a spiritual method. Short reflections explore metaphors like intoxication, role-switching of lover and beloved, and how music and service embody divine love.

Omid Safi, a scholar of Islamic mysticism and director at Duke University, explores the feminine heart of faith and divine love. He reflects on love amid global suffering. He speaks on the womb metaphor in Islam, embodied spiritual practice, breath as shared unity, the central role of women in freedom movements, and tender, ethical living rooted in beauty and mutual care.

Omid Safi, a Professor of Islamic Studies at Duke University, dives into the world of love in Islamic mystical poetry, particularly through the lens of Rumi and Sufism. He discusses the balance of fidelity and accessibility in translating Sufi poetry, and how mentorship shaped his journey from medicine to academia. Safi explores the concept of 'radical love' or 'ishq,' emphasizing its transformative power in spiritual development. He also highlights contemporary Sufi figures and the role of love in community engagement, creating a rich tapestry of understanding for both scholars and enthusiasts.

Omid Safi, a Duke University Professor of Islamic Studies, dives into the essence of radical love in the Islamic mystical tradition. He discusses the challenge of translating Sufi poetry, emphasizing how modern adaptations can make these spiritual texts accessible. The conversation highlights Rumi’s enduring relevance and love’s transformative power, linking human feelings to divine experiences. Safi also reflects on his journey from medicine to academia, illustrating the importance of mentorship within the community.

Omid Safi, a scholar and teacher in the Sufi tradition of radical love, speaks about love as divine action and the heart as a sacred place. He explores interspiritual bridges across traditions, the Francis–Sultan encounter as a model of compassion, the balance of contemplation and action, and how language, art, and humility can heal divisions.

Omid Safi, a Sufi teacher and Islamic studies professor, reflects on Rumi as a living sage whose legacy goes beyond poetry. He outlines the Path of Radical Love, grounding practices for oneness, and how to taste spiritual truth through embodied practices and presence. Short, practical invitations and surprising contextual readings of Rumi’s poems round out the conversation.