About this episode
Sufi mystic and visionary Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri is an enlightened spiritual master. His life and works serve as a reminder that spirituality is a science and an art vitally relevant to our times. Shaykh Fadhlalla grew up in an environment where religious scholars, as well as Sufi and mystics, were part of his formative experience. His love and understanding of the universality of the Qur'anic message have imbued him with respect for other religions and spiritual paths. Websites: shaykhfadhlallahaeri.com zahrapublications.pub Books mentioned during the interview: Son of Karbala: The Spiritual Journey of an Iraqi Muslim Sufi Encounters: Sharing the Wisdom of Enlightened Sufis Spectrum of Reality: Sufi Insights The Garden of Meaning Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded May 1, 2021 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump Interview 00:03:45 - The Curiosity of a Child 00:07:51 - The Dichotomy of Earthly and Spiritual Desires 00:11:57 - The Inner and Outer Self 00:15:55 - Preparation for Infinite Life 00:19:44 - The Filter of the Brain 00:23:28 - The Shift into a Higher Consciousness 00:27:16 - The Progress of Consciousness 00:30:58 - The Influence of Consciousness on Animals 00:34:36 - Awakening to the Higher Within 00:38:38 - Reverencing the Divine Light within us 00:42:15 - Learning from a Spiritual Teacher 00:46:01 - Celebration of the Soul's Journey Beyond 00:49:57 - The Decline of Fundamentalism and the Rise of Universal Spirituality 00:53:48 - The Emergence of Spirituality and Technology 00:57:27 - The State of the Garden Within Me 01:01:22 - Losing the small self 01:05:07 - Living a Full Life without Denial 01:08:58 - The Cosmic Justification for Suffering 01:12:31 - Wealth Distribution and the Future 01:15:53 - The Value of Suffering 01:19:12 - The story of the scorpion and the saint 01:22:48 - Liberation and Freedom 01:26:42 - Inner Freedom and Liberation 01:30:22 - Inner Freedom and Reconciliation 01:34:04 - Creating a Community in Messina, Texas 01:37:35 - Books and Connections with Shaykh 01:41:19 - Trusting the Cloud and the Aversion to Institutionalizing Things 01:44:43 - The Essence Within Us 01:48:06 - The Outer and Inner Self 01:51:48 - Awakening to the High Treasure