597. Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri

Buddha at the Gas Pump

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 Some points discussed in this interview: Shaykh Fadhlalla’s childhood: His curiosity and interest in science. Seeing the underlying sameness in different cultures and religions. Not being satisfied with earthly comforts. Integrating individuality with universality, inner with outer, physicality with spirituality. Luck and good fortune vs. divine orchestration. Life as preparation for infinite life. Nature provides the most amazing flow of guidance, but we are not attuned to it anymore, and our material fears and anxieties consume everything. Calibration between the physical reality and the ‘quantum field’ makes a “huge difference in the quality of life and the ease of flow”. Different kinds of ‘mind’: Low, Normal, Super, and Supra. Shaykh Fadhlalla’s shift from occasional to abiding awakening. Awakenings can be dramatic (abrupt) or subtle (gradual). In any case, refinement is ongoing. Life’s challenges may still touch you, but won’t overwhelm you. We are moving very rapidly to greater universality, acceptance, tolerance, and respect. The benefits of contemplating the vastness of the universe. Shaykh Fadhlalla’s two highly spiritual fathers – his biological one and his guru, Swami Chinmayananda. The 3-day limit for grieving in the Muslim tradition. All religions come from the same light. “The arc of the rising consciousness is clear.” Love of nature as a spiritual path. “You are essentially a cosmic being on a short journey on this earth.” Suffering can be an incentive to see God. Karma and reincarnation in Islam and Sufism. Spiritual and other forms of leadership is shifting from male to female. Female saints in Islamic history. Liberation within limitations. Some quotes: “The ultimate treasure, without measure, is your own soul” “Every home needs its own inner ashram.” “Within every human being, there is sacred light. If I don’t interfere too much, if I put my shadow away then the light will lead me.” “The master within, my own soul, the divine presence.” Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview. Interview recorded May 1, 2021 Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast. 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