The Murid Talks Podcast

In this new series I call 'Insights', we explore various topics that are inspired as I journey in the world (these are not scripted/polished but inspired thoughts)In our very first Insight, we explore what it means to 'See God'. What do we mean by that statement, what is the experience of such a Vision. So, accompany me in this exploration. Enjoy!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/ambient-boy/the-...License code: LA2XWLZXUOANS2WD

What do we mean when we used the word 'thing'? What are the implications of assuming that the Universe is populated by such 'things'? Can we evoke the power of Nothing in our spiritual paths for a deeper understanding of Everything?Embark on this journey with us to explore the Power of Nothing.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/ambient-boy/the-perfect-morningLicense code: LA2XWLZXUOANS2WD

Ever wondered why children enjoy play without judgement or prejudice, why during that game they dwell in the moment? I reckon it is this state of affairs that we lose when we grow into adulthood and forget the art of going nowhere but the 'Here and Now'.Let us revisit this lost Art and see how Ultimately there is nowhere to go. We're already where we need to be. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/ambient-boy/the-perfect-morningLicense code: LA2XWLZXUOANS2WD

In this episode we explore how the statement 'I AM' is both that of Being and Consciousness. But what are the implications for such a realization? If Being encompasses all there is entailing its Infinite nature, can we say the same for Consciousness? If so, how can we realize such a truth and what does it mean for our own internal sense of self? This episode seeks to uncover these questions and we hope you enjoy in its exploration.

The Perennial Wisdom affirms the Transcendent Unity of Traditions which views all divine traditions as having one underlying and eternal metaphysical core. Each tradition is a unique expression of the primordial Truth which by its infinite nature manifests diversely in each civilization and by extension each individual. Tune in to explore the Metaphysical foundations that validate such a pluralistic outlook. Don't forget to enjoy, like and share the podcast to other seekers. We wish you all peace and love

As we approach the holiday season in 2022, we explore the concept of the virginal conception and birth in Traditional doctrines through the history of our Lady Mary. The virgin in Metaphysics presents to us a paradox of both emptiness and fullness, void and light. Taking Mary's history as our basis, we explore how the symbolism of her story can be transposed not only to the religious sphere but to the cosmic as well as the Universal/Spiritual domain (which matters the most for those in seeking). Mary is a representation of the inner heart, the Shekinah which is the dwelling of the Divine presence. She is a model of those who wish to empty themselves so as to receive the fullness of Divine Light. As always we send you greeting and love and appreciate you for tuning into the episode. Please do share to other aspirants as well. Peace

When discussing God and the cosmos, one question that usually arises is, when did the process of creation begin? In this episode, we explore how such a question is the result of erroneous theological teachings and poor Metaphysical grounding. Through the Metaphysical teachings of the various Traditional doctrines, we also explore the meaning of 'The Beginning' In short, God did not begin to create, God is 'The Beginning' and as such 'The End' as well. 

In the previous episode, we explored how one - through contemplation - can arrive at the Truth of Reality. The contemplative journey in its roots is based on observation of how things are and not how they came to be This is the purpose of our current episode. Despite the acknowledgement of things as they are, man is still curious about how the visible cosmos came to be. In our current episode, we explore the Metaphysical theory and symbols behind our cosmological origin. We also compare the teachings of Traditional cosmology vs those of modern science. 

The World's Traditions symbolize the path of realization as a journey, without and within. In this episode, we tell a personal story of that contemplative journey. The journey begins with our observation of the cosmos and from it, our own inner reality. Each level opens up possibilities that were unknown before until one arrives at the Ultimate. 

The question of God's Perfection appears in many forms within theology and philosophy. "Is God All-Good, if He is why the evil in the world? How can God be All-Kind and All-Just at the same time?" And these are a few examples of many. In order to conceive of God's Perfection, we have to swim in the oceans of Metaphysics and understand the Supreme Principle We see what Perfection is as a Universal Principle and how the should govern our understanding of it. After the exploration, we see how the aforementioned challenge dissolves into beatific realization. 

The concept of Holy War appears in one way or another within the world's Traditions. Besides its view from a socio-political angle, we see how Holy War represents the inner struggle of man towards Divine Realization. Holy War seeks to restore balance and justice within all domains of manifestation which ultimately symbolizes the return of All things to Divine Unity. It is from this understanding that makes the battlefield of one's own self the hardest and greatest of all battlefields as presented by the Prophet Muhammad.  

This episode picks up from the previous one on the mysterious encounter between Moses and the sage Khidr. After Moses asks to accompany Khidr on his journey so he can learn from the sage, he is given one condition: No Questions. Moses fails to do so on each shocking encounter that he finds himself in with this enigmatic figure as he proceeds to ask questions. It is at the end of their journey together that Khidr offers the meaning of the events that occurred when they were together. This, once again shows us how the esoteric path sees all events and realities as symbols of Higher Divine Truth.

In this episode, we visit the mysterious encounter between Moses and the enigmatic Khidr (identified as a servant of God in the Qur'an). We explore how this encounter symbolizes the 2 kinds of knowledge; exoteric and esoteric as well as other recurring motifs that we've discussed in the previous episodes. With this, we fortify the position that Traditional 'myths' aren't mere historical accounts but symbols for the realization of Divine Truths. This will be Part 1 of a 2 part series on Moses and Khidr. 

Proceeding from Non-Manifestation which is the Hidden Realm (Batin), we explore the 3 realms of Manifestation as expressed by the Sufi Tradition. Manifestation is the expression (Zahir) of the Non-Manifest and it is through the ascension of its realms that we can return to the Hidden. The Sufis identify the 3 levels as Jabarut, Malakaut and Nasut, simply put as The Spiritual, Psychic and Corporeal domains of Manifestation. We explore the identifying characteristics of each and how their understanding helps the aspirant ascend back to the Divine.

After exploring The Ineffable and from it The First Determination, we now enter into a discussion of The Second Determination which proceeds from The First Intellect. The Second Determination is symbolized in the Islamic Tradition as the Sacred Tablet, which contains the Totality of God's Immutable Knowledge of All entities. It is from this that Multiplicity in all its categories is principiated. 

The various Traditions of the world affirm hierarchical stations within Reality. In between Absolute Reality (which truly IS) and non-existence (which is not and can not be) lies the various levels of Being. In the exploration of the First Determination, we talk about the closest/highest level of all: Universal Being. That which emanates first from the Supreme Reality is termed in the various traditions as the Pen, Logos, Son of God, Ishvara, Nur-Muhammad, The First Cause, The First Intellect etc.

Truth itself, cannot be expressed definitely or entirely. Yet, being Infinite, it encompasses All expressions. It is Beyond All and symbolized by All. It is One and Many, Manifest and Hidden, First and Last.

An exploration of the life of Prophet John, famously known as 'The Bapist' from his coming to being to how he lived his life. John represents creatio ex nihilo, the new cycle of life, renewal and rebirth through spiritual initiation as symbolized by the ritual of baptism as well as his spiritual aptitude portrayed through his ascetic life.

In the current episode, we explore the symbolism of the Hebrew & Arabic letter 'Mim' as it is connected to the letter 'Nun' as explored in episode 19. The Mim is the Mother, it is Mary and Muhammad, it is the All-Encompassing Mercy, the All-Embracing Womb.

Most of us have heard of Jonah's being swallowed by the Nun, the Fish. What are we to learn from this epic? In short, we must all enter the belly of the Fish and be delivered from darkness like Jonah and be like him 'The Man of the Fish', the One Liberated.

Noah is famous amongst the Prophets due to his connection to the Epic of the Flood and the Ark. What can we learn from these symbols and what themes can we decode from Noah's story as described to us from the Qur'an?

Adam is known as the legendary father of mankind and the first human according to the Abrahamic Traditions. Is he only so just as a historic figure or does he symbolize more, helping us in our understanding of reality?

Reading the passage in Qur'an (6:73-80) one is perplexed by Abraham's taking the star, moon and sun as his lords successively, before realizing the True and Ultimate Creator. Isn't he the patriarch of the 3 great monotheistic religions? Some see in the narrative, Abraham's discourse with the idolaters against any form of idolatry. But, for the spiritual seekers, this story carries with it deeper implications of the Spiritual path and stations of Divine contemplation.

In this episode, we explore what the prophethood and life of Jesus - and by extension that of Mary - can teach us about Divine Convergence. The convergence between the Uncreated and the created, the Divine and the human, the vertical and the horizontal. This episode is a continuation of our series on Prophets and Prophethood.

Through the exploration of Scriptural Texts, what does the Prophethood of Moses teach us about the Metaphysics of Being? Both the Old Testament and the Holy Qur'an offer us insights into this very matter.

If Islam claims that the Prophet Muhammad is the last Messenger and Prophet, what happens when the society succumbs to moral, societal, epistemological and spiritual degradation? Who inherits the mission of the Prophets? This episode explores the concept of the 'Inheritors of The Prophets' taking its foundation from the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad himself.

God and the Angels praise him and so do the believers. Jesus - confirming the Torah - speaks of him as 'The Praised One' Who is 'The Praised One' and why is he so? Who is Ahmad? Who is Muhammad?

Who are the Prophets and what is Prophethood? How were these great men distinguished from false claimers? Why does God send the Prophets to mankind in the first place? These questions and more in the episode. Peace

The Prophet urged his companions to die before death and that in death one can find deep insight. In this episode we explore the true meaning of death and why a Murid should seek death before death. Death is compulsory for all beings but the Murid's Path offers a voluntary death; one that leads to the Divine.

When asked who/what God is, we quickly jump towards the attributes that qualify Him. Mercy, Justice, Wrath, Divinity, all offer an aspect(s) of the True Essence behind All Can we then seek to know this Essence? Is the knowledge of IT even possible?

What is Islam (Submission)? What is Imaan (Faith)? What is Ihsaan (Perfection)? This episode focuses on these 3 stations of the Islamic Tradition on the basis of the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad

What is Religion? How is Religious Law significant to the life of man? What is Tradition and how is it connected to religion?

When it comes to the Ineffable any and every claim is a delimitation. The Murid is taught to dwell in silence and negate any claim even the claim of negation.

God is not this; God is not that; God is not both this and that; God is not neither this nor that. In this episode, we discuss the concept of God as Mystery and the Ultimate Goal of being transformed by that Mystery.

God exists; NO, God IS existence. In this episode, we explore the concepts of God and Existence and arrive at the conclusion that not only does God exist but God is existence itself.

Is this all there is? Who Am I? How do I achieve Self-Realization? These Universal and Timeless questions have been the core of the Divine Traditions; The questions that plagued the Prophets, sages, philosophers and saints; the questions that led them to seek the Ultimate Answer.  In this episode, we talk about how these questions lead the seeker into The Path of Emptiness and how this emptiness delivers the seeker to the Ultimate; The All. 

The Prophet Muhammad says "He who knows himself, knows his Lord." This points us to the idea that the journey towards God is also a journey of self-realization. In this episode our hosts talk about their histories into the Path of the Aspirant. As they would put it "a personal and vulnerable episode."

God says "I was a hidden treasure; I loved to be known. Hence I created the world so that I would be known." What is the Hidden Treasure? What is contained within? Why does it want to be known? Known by whom? E-mail: [email protected] Instagram: muridtalks