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
Mar 25, 2019 • 40min
Ep. 10 – Finding Compassion Amid Chaos
In the wake of the tragic shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, Dr. Omid Safi shares a reflection on responding to chaos with compassion and love.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 17, 2019 • 59min
Ep. 9 – Mysticism in the Modern Age
Omid Safi shares a conversation with Kate Green Tripp, from 1440 Multiversity, about engaging in mysticism and the path of love in the 21st century.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Feb 9, 2019 • 47min
Ep. 8 – Kharaqani, the Saint Who Breathed with God
Discover the life of Abu al-Hassan al-Kharaqani, a humble Sufi mystic and shepherd who profoundly influenced spiritual traditions. Explore his teachings on humility, the importance of serving others, and the idea of direct communication with God. Learn about his belief in love that transcends religious boundaries and the significance of purity of heart over rituals. Delve into his views on death as a friendly meeting and the transformative nature of devotion. Throughout, Kharaqani emphasizes a profound union and connection with the divine in every moment.
Jan 15, 2019 • 48min
Ep. 7 - Rekindling Our Tenderness
Omid Safi, a professor and director at Duke University's Islamic Studies Center, discusses rekindling love and tenderness with Taniya Hussain, a trauma recovery coach. They explore the connection between love and social justice, emphasizing that love transcends romance and is vital in public life. Omid highlights the importance of self-tenderness, daily replenishment, and setting healthy boundaries to combat burnout. They also stress the need for communal care and the intrinsic dignity of every individual, encouraging listeners to treat themselves with the same compassion they offer to others.
Dec 27, 2018 • 51min
Ep. 6 – Practice of Compassion
Leslie Langbert, a licensed clinical social worker and mindfulness facilitator, engages with Omid Safi about the transformative power of compassion and love. They explore how Omid's book, Radical Love, emerged from personal love letters, emphasizing the mystical teachings of Rumi on unity and brokenness. The conversation highlights compassion as a communal ethic, the beauty of everyday sacred love, and how heartfelt connections can break down barriers. Insightful and reflective, they discuss living with an open heart to foster deeper connections.
Nov 30, 2018 • 52min
Ep. 5 – A Practice of Love
Explore the transformative power of love as an active practice that begins within ourselves and ripples outward. Discover how self-acceptance and community play crucial roles in cultivating lasting love. Learn about embracing vulnerability and letting love overflow into relationships, families, and neighborhoods. Challenge boundaries of love beyond nations and religions, promoting a universal connection. Finally, hear insights on ecological love and the importance of living in harmony with our planet.
Oct 23, 2018 • 42min
Ep. 4 - Welcoming the Tranquil Soul Back to the Divine
This week, Omid looks at how mystics of the Sufi tradition understood the path of love as something that brings us together into fellowship with one another, into communion with nature and unites us with the Divine.Find show notes and resources: https://beherenownetwork.com/sufi-heart-ep-4-back-to-the-divine/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 3, 2018 • 52min
Ep. 3 – The Flame of Justice
Discover the transformative power of love in the fight for justice. Hear about Vincent Harding's profound impact on Martin Luther King Jr.’s anti-Vietnam stance. Explore how Biblical and Qur'anic teachings underscore the duty to protect the oppressed. Omid shares his journey of connecting mystical teachings with political action, emphasizing that America represents an unfinished promise. Delve into the idea that justice is love expressed publicly, and absorb Harding's inspiring call for hope and healing in our activism.
Sep 14, 2018 • 37min
Ep. 2 – Sacredness of Love
Dive into the sacredness of love through the lens of Sufi teachings. Explore how the 12th-century mystic Ahmad al-Ghazali reshapes our understanding of divine love. Discover the Quranic distinctions of love, from gentle hubb to fierce eshq that transcends ego. Embrace the 'radical amazement' in everyday moments, as love manifests through smiles and compassion. Hear inspiring stories of Ahmad's kindness and learn why radical love was celebrated in medieval Muslim society. Experience the profound connection of one love linking God and creation.
Aug 2, 2018 • 47min
Ep. 1 - The Path of Radical Love
Explore the Sufi concept of radical love, which transcends mere emotion and fosters a deep connection with the divine. Discover how ancient wisdom and poetry, including tales from Rumi and Atar, illustrate this profound love. Learn about longing, loss, and the many forms of love that inspire spiritual growth. Omid emphasizes loving even the simple things as a way to awaken to divine abundance. The discussion highlights the intertwining of human and divine love, advocating for embodied expressions of care and community.
