Talk with Dr. Yannis Toussulis Author of Sufism and the Way of Blame: Hidden Sources of a Sacred Psychology. By David Paquiot & Dr. Yannis Toussulis (Read Part 1) _____________________ Dr. Toussulis, You said “During the Rumi craze the premises of Sufism were almost completely reversed in the interest of spiritual consumerism.” What is spiritual consumerism?…
Dr. Yannis Toussulis and I ‘sat down’ Spring 2011 for this following interview. I would like to take a moment to thank him firstly for taking time from his daily affairs to do this, and more importantly for the painstaking effort he has taken to write Sufism and the Way of Blame. I’m not alone…
This follow selection was taken from Dr Michaela Ozelsel Book 40 days. It is very poignant for a few reasons. The reason why I have liked this essay and the many other essays in her book is that Dr Ozelsel combines traditional spiritual education and experiences with contemporary research. A lot of studies have been…
I had the great opportunity today to talk to an old friend who first met me when I was a bit lost and rough around the edges. The aphorism still holds true about a decade later, that the more things change the more they stay the same. I was a relentless jokester back then, a…
Originally Published in the Huffington Post Editor’s Note: This author will be speaking at the Ibn ‘Arabi & Rumi conference, Nov. 4 -5 in New York City. “How many there are who walk upon the earth, and the earth curses them! How many there are who prostrate themselves upon her, and she rejects them! How many there…
Differences Between Unity and Separation – A Vital Distinction Mansur Hallaj was (purportedly) the first Sufi to utter the famous dictum, “I am He” (Ana al-Haqq). We find the same essential expression in Advaita Vedanta. It is an important truth, but only partially so. As Ibn al-Arabi would later point out, it is also true…
