Sufi Heart with Omid Safi
Be Here Now Network
The Sufi Heart podcast with Omid Safi features teachings and stories about a sacred tradition of love, one that manifests outwardly as justice and inwardly as tenderness. Drawing primarily on the wisdom of the Islamic tradition as well as the legacies of the Civil Rights movements and other wisdom teachings, Omid invites you to a meditation on the transformative power of love and recalling the necessity of linking healing our own hearts with healing the world. Omid Safi is a teacher in the Islamic mystical tradition of Radical Love, and serves as a professor of Islamic studies at Duke University. Omid’s passion for teaching has been recognized by his ten nominations for Professor of the Year awards.Omid has published extensively on the foundational sources of Islam and Sufism. His Memories of Muhammad is an award-winning biography of the Prophet Muhammad. His most recent book is Radical Love: Teachings from the Islamic Mystical Tradition. He teaches online courses through Illuminated Courses on topics ranging from Rumi to the mystical dimension of the Qur’an. Lastly, he offers for the general public Illuminated Tours , spiritually oriented contemplative journeys and retreats which have brought more than 2,500 friends from over twenty countries to Turkey, Morocco, Andalusia, and now Umrah since 2002.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 10, 2020 • 56min
Ep. 20 – Love, Justice, and Tenderness with Ankhet Rumi
Ankhet Rumi and Omid join together to explore embodying truth through teaching, fighting for social justice, the contemporary American Saints of the Freedom Movement, working with anger, & the divine Sufi poetry and wisdom of Rumi.Returning from a short hiatus, Omid is back with the Sufi Heart podcast, welcoming friend, poet, artist, and fellow podcaster, Ankhet Rumi, to the show. This special episode will be dual-casted, not only appearing here on the Be Here Now Network, but also on Ankhet's self-titled podcast, Ankhet, which illuminates the wisdom of Sufi poet, Rumi, and elucidates Eastern mysticism for modern times, holding deep credence towards the transcendental poetry of existence, social justice, and radical love.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jun 3, 2020 • 27min
Ep. 19 – Expanding Our Circle of Compassion
A reflective talk on widening our circle of compassion to include all sentient beings. A call to redefine success as communal transformation rather than personal accumulation. A critique of the culture of constant busyness and guidance to recharge the heart. An affirmation that love, grounded in care, is inseparable from social justice.
May 15, 2020 • 59min
Ep. 18 – Listening, Suffering, and Rumi with Marilyn Shannon
Marilyn Shannon, a listening practitioner and author known for her 'In Just One Afternoon' series, explores listening from the heart. She and Omid talk about deep pauses, holding suffering with presence, and asking 'How is your heart?'. They weave in reflections on Rumi's teachings about love, longing, and the ways wounds open us to light.
Mar 25, 2020 • 42min
Ep. 17 – Finding Refuge in Love and Practice
A reflection on finding refuge in love and spiritual practice during the coronavirus crisis. Conversations about staying present amid rapid change and facing fear without hoarding or denial. Emphasis on keeping social connection while physically apart and honoring essential workers. Practical ideas for daily ritual, self-care, and choosing care for the vulnerable.
Mar 13, 2020 • 50min
Ep. 16 - Fireside Chats with Rumi: Religious Pluralism, Prayer, and Presence
A lively dive into Rumi's fireside teachings about religious pluralism and how different faiths can meet in shared adoration. Conversations about prayer focus on presence over mere ritual and practical breath practices to ground devotion. Stories of humility, respect, and the many paths that converge on a single inner sanctuary round out the discussion.
Feb 21, 2020 • 42min
Ep. 15 – Fireside Chats with Rumi: Love, Suffering and Illumination
Dr. Omid Safi dives into Rumi's teachings, exploring the power of love and suffering on our spiritual journeys. He discusses Rumi's metaphoric sun, illuminating inner transformation and the significance of refining one's character through adab. The episode highlights Rumi's acceptance of broken people and the idea that suffering can awaken deeper spiritual insights. Safi also suggests starting spiritual education with individuals' real experiences and shares poignant stories to illustrate Rumi's profound messages about compassion and inner birth.
Nov 6, 2019 • 47min
Ep. 14 - Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
A lively look at a Jewish prophetic thinker who marched in Selma and befriended Martin Luther King Jr. Conversations about prophetic voices across traditions and a God who awakens action. Stories of scholarship, Holocaust survival, and moral outrage that refuses indifference. A call to prayer that leads to protest and a life aimed at wonder and awe.
Jul 8, 2019 • 49min
Ep. 13 – The Conference of the Birds part 2
Dive into the mystical realm of Sufi poetry as the speaker explores the profound themes of Farid ud-Din Attar's work. Discover the bird as a metaphor for spiritual seekers and the captivating call of the Hudhud guiding them on their quest. Engage with tales of transformation, including the provocative story of Sheikh San'an, illustrating ego-surrender. Reflect on the empty path revealing our inner projections and traverse the seven valleys toward the realization of oneness. This journey beckons listeners to recognize their divine essence.
Jun 17, 2019 • 42min
Ep. 12 – The Conference of the Birds
Explore the enchanting tale of 'The Conference of the Birds' by Sufi poet Attar, and its connections to spiritual seekers. Discover how Attar inspires Rumi and invokes divine praise that binds reality. Delve into the profound idea of silence and the concept of spiritual poverty as paths to enlightenment. Hear about the mythical phoenix as a symbol of divine renewal, and the innovative inversion of gender roles. Finally, appreciate Attar's inclusive vision for unity among diverse faiths, echoing timeless wisdom.
May 21, 2019 • 45min
