In this episode I will do my first deep dive into one of the many Sufi orders - the Naqshbandiyya. Sources/Further Reading: Abun-Nasr, Jamil (2007). "Muslim Communities of Grace - The sufi brotherhoods in Islamic religious life". Hurst & Company, London Malik, Jamal & John Hinnells (2006). "Sufism in the West". Routledge. Sorgenfrei, Simon (2016). "Sufism i Sverige". Nämnden för statligt stöd till trossamfund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 13, 2022•16 min•Ep. 32
In this unusual episode, we explore the history of coffee and its connection to Sufism, as well as the similar origins of tea. Good to remember: While this episode is still based on the most widely accepted views by historians, research on the matter is somewhat lacking and this light-hearted episode should not be taken as gospel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 10, 2022•11 min•Ep. 31
The long awaited second part of my series about music in the Islamic world! Sources/Further Reading: Hammarlund, Anders, Tord Olsson & Elizabeth Özdalga (1997). "Sufism, Music and Society in Turkey and the Middle East". Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul. Saeed, Yousuf. "Amir Khusrau and the Indo-Muslim Identity in the Art Music Practices of Pakistan". Schofield, Katherine Ruth (2003). "Hindustani music in the time of Aurangzeb". King's college London. Sharma, Sunil (2005). "Amir Khusraw...
Apr 30, 2022•31 min•Ep. 30
In this first part of a new series, we talk about the earliest centuries of Islamic civilization - Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid caliphates - and the different forms of music that flourished at this time. Sources/Suggested Reading: al-Faruqi, Louis Ibsen (1985). "Music, Musicians and Muslim Law". Asian Music, Vol. 17, No. 17, p. 3-36. Avery, Kenneth S. (2004). "A Psychology of Early Sufi Sama': Listening and altered states". Routledge. Davila, Carl (2009). "Fixing a Misbegotten Biography: Ziryab in...
Apr 27, 2022•31 min•Ep. 29
In this episode, we talk about the short-lived religion founded by the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten. Sources/Further Reading: Hornung, Erik (2001) "Akhenaten and the Religion of Light". Cornell University Press. Hoffmeier, James K. (2015). "Akhenaten and the Origins of Monotheism". Oxford University Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 23, 2022•22 min•Ep. 28
As requested by the audience, in this episode we talk about the very early development of Speculative Islamic theology, or "Kalam". Support me on Patreon if you so wish: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Sources/Suggested reading: Winter, Tim (2008). "The Cambridge Companion to Islamic Theology". Cambridge University Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 19, 2022•27 min•Ep. 27
As we continue our series on some of the less known (and sometimes controversial) Sufis of the Middle Ages, we reach the Andalusian poet Abu-l Hasan al-Shushtari. He was a student of Ibn Sab'in but is also famous as a master-poet and Sufi master in his own right. Sources/Suggested Reading: Alvarez, Lourdes Maria (2009). "Abu-l Hasan al-Shushtari: Songs of Love and Devotion". In the "Classics of Western Spirituality" series. Paulist Press. Alvarez, Lourdes Maria (2005). "The Mystical Language of ...
Apr 15, 2022•24 min•Ep. 26
In this episode, we talk about the controversial Andalusian Philosopher/Sufi Ibn Sab'in (d. 1270) and his teachings. Sources: Ceballos, Carlos Berbil (2015). "Journeying from the Apparent to Absolute Being: Ibn Sab'in and his predecessors". Journal of the Muhyddin Ibn 'Arabi Society Vol. 58. Cornell, Vincent J. (2007). "The All-Comprehensive Circle (al-Ihata): Soul, Intellect and the Oneness of Existence in the Doctrine of Ibn Sab'in". In "Sufism and Theology" (ed. Ayman Shihadeh). Edinburgh Uni...
Apr 12, 2022•23 min•Ep. 25
In this very long episode, I give an introduction to one of the most significant, yet often misunderstood thinkers and mystics in history - Ibn 'Arabi. Sources: Chittick, William (2005). "Ibn Arabi: Heir to the Prophets". OneWorld Publications. Chittick, William (1998). "The Self-Disclosure of God: Principles of Ibn al-'Arabi's Cosmology". State University of New York Press. Chittick, William (2005). "The Sufi Doctrine of Rumi". World Wisdom, inc. Chodkiewicz, Michel (1982). "The Spiritual writi...
Apr 08, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 24
In this latest episode I talk about the Ikhwan al-safa, or "Brethren of Purity" - a group of secretive philosophers and scholars who lived in medieval Basra, Iraq. Sources used: de Callatay, Godefroid (2006). "Ikhwan al-safa - a brotherhood of idealists on the fringes of Orthodox Islam". Oneworld Publications. Walker, Paul E. (2005). "The Isma'ilis". In "The Cambridge companion to Arabic Philosophy". (Edited by Peter Adamson & Richard C. Taylor). Cambridge University Press. Hosted on Acast. ...
Apr 05, 2022•19 min•Ep. 23
A new. long awaited historical review, this time dealing with the earliest of the Muslim philosophers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 01, 2022•37 min•Ep. 22
In this episode I talk about the 11th century Ismaili philosopher Nasir Khusraw and his major work "Jami' al-hikmatayn" or "The union of the two wisdoms". This is an audio version of my video on my YouTube channel "Let's Talk Religion". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 29, 2022•20 min•Ep. 21
There is talk within the Muslim community (and outside) of the so-called "Quranists" or the movement "Quranism". In this episode I talk about, in very generalizing terms, what this term is referring to, and what its characteristics are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 25, 2022•12 min•Ep. 20
In this episode we talk about the third major branch of Islam, known as Ibadism, which is a major presence today in Oman, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. It is a somewhat forgotten branch, but one that is also often viewed as a moderate and tolerant branch of the religion. Sources: Hoffman, Valerie J. (2012). The Essentials of Ibadi Islam. Syracuse University Press. Wilkinson, John C. (2010). Ibadism - Origins and early development in Islam. Oxford University Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...
Mar 22, 2022•15 min•Ep. 19
I see many videos talking about the differences between the Sunni and Shia, but most of them present a simplified version. In this episode, I try to give you a more comprehensive overview. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 18, 2022•16 min•Ep. 18
In this episode I go through the scholarly discussion regarding the composition of the Hebrew Bible and, in particular, the Torah/Pentateuch. The main theory discussed is the so-called "Documentary hypothesis". Sources/interesting articles: https://www.ias.edu/ideas/2018/schmid-torah Matthieu Richelle, “Elusive scrolls. Could any hebrew literature have been written prior to the eighth century B.C.E.?” (2016) Erhard Blum, “Die altaramäischen Wandinschriften aus Tell Deir ̕Alla und ihr institution...
Mar 15, 2022•15 min•Ep. 17
In this episode, we finally explore the fifth largest religion in the world - Sikhism (more properly called "Sikhi"). Sources/Suggested Reading: Mandair, Arvind-Pal Singh (2013). "Sikhism: A guide for the Perplexed". Bloomsbury Academic. Singh, Patwant (1999). "The Sikhs". John Murray. Also try to get ahold of the Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib". You can find translations of the scriptures online, or in published form translated by Ernest Trumpp or Gurbachan Singh Talib. Hosted on Acast. See acas...
Mar 11, 2022•38 min•Ep. 16
The Hasidic movement is pretty famous. But few are aware of its deep mystical teachings and connections with Kabbalah. In this episode, we explore the early history of the Hasidim. This episode was written by Seth Weprin and co-written by me (Filip Holm). Sources/Suggested Reading: Idel, Moshe (1995). "Hasidism: Between Ecstacy and Magic". SUNY Press. Idel, Moshe. “Modes of Cleaving to the Letters in the Teachings of Israel Baal Shem Tov: A Sample Analysis.” Jewish History 27 (2013): 299-317. Ja...
Mar 08, 2022•33 min•Ep. 15
This episode gives an overview of the so-called "Gnostics", particularly the group that is often otherwise known as the 'Sethians'. Sources/Suggested Reading: Brakke, David (2012). "Gnostics: Myth, Ritual, and Diversity in Early Christianity". Harvard University Press. King, Karen (2003). "What is Gnosticism?". Harvard University Press. Van den Broek, Roelof (2013). "Gnostic Religion in Antiquity". Cambridge University Press. Meyer, Marvin (ed.) (2009). "The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised a...
Mar 04, 2022•35 min•Ep. 14
A topic hat comes up a lot in the comments. Let's set the record straight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 01, 2022•19 min•Ep. 13
Finally, we talk about the complex tradition known as Hermeticism and its mysterious namesake Hermes Trismegistus. Sources/Suggested Reading: Copenhaver, Brian P. (Translation & Introduction by) (1992). "Hermetica: The Greek Corpus Hermeticum and the Latin Asclepius in a new English Translation with notes and introduction". Cambridge University Press. Fowden, Garth (1986). "The Egyptian Hermes: A Historical Approach to the Late Pagan Mind". Princeton University Press. Meyer, Marvin (ed.) (20...
Feb 25, 2022•27 min•Ep. 12
We continue to explore the religions of India by looking at the ancient tradition of Jainism. Sources/Suggested Reading: Dundas, Paul (2002). "The Jains". Routledge. Long, Jeffrey D. (2009). "Jainism: An Introduction". IB Tauris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 22, 2022•28 min•Ep. 11
Manichaeism is an ancient religion that is relatively unknown. In this episode, I give you everything you need to know as a introduction to this fascinating faith. Sources/Further Reading: Lieu, Samuel N. (1993). "Manichaeism in Mesopotamia and the Roman East: 118 (Religions in the Graeco-Roman World)". Brill. Lieu, Samuel N. (1998). "Manichaeism in Central Asia and China: Collected Studies (Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies)". Brill. Magnusson, Jörgen (2013). "Mat och manikeism". In "Religion ...
Feb 18, 2022•23 min•Ep. 10
One of the main religious traditions in China - Daoism - is the subject of this episode. We go deep into the origins, main writings and later development of the religion, and its connection to other traditions. Sources/Further Reading: Komjathy, Louis (2013). "The Daoist Tradition: An Introduction". Bloomsbury Academic. Lao Tzu (2013). "Tao Te Ching - A New Translation. Translated by William Scott Wilson. Shambala Publications. Hackett Publishing Co, Inc. Zhuangzi (2008). "Zhuangzi - The Essenti...
Feb 15, 2022•28 min•Ep. 9
This is the second and last part in a series on the Bahá'i Faith. Sources/Further Reading: Smith, Peter (2008). "An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith". Cambridge University Press. Maceoin, Denis (2012). "Making the invisible visible: Introductory books on the Baha'i religion. Routledge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 11, 2022•25 min•Ep. 8
This is the first episode in a two-part series on The Bahá'i Faith - one of the youngest and fastest growing religions in the world. Sources/Further Reading: Smith, Peter (2008). "An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith". Cambridge University Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 08, 2022•20 min•Ep. 8
Another episode in my series about religious minorities in the Middle East, this time about the secretive Alawites. Sources: Larson, Göran; Simon Sorgenfrei, Max Stockman (2017). "Religiösa minoriteter från Mellanöstern" (Religious minorities from the Middle East). Myndigheten för stöd till trossamfund. Bar-Asher, Meir M. (2003). Nosayris. In "Encyclopedia Iranica Online". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 04, 2022•15 min•Ep. 7
Another episode in my series about religious minorities in the middle east. This time we talk about the secretive group known as the "Druze", also known (by themselves) as "al-Muwahhidun". Sources: Larson, Göran; Simon Sorgenfrei, Max Stockman (2017). "Religiösa minoriteter från Mellanöstern" (Religious minorities from the Middle East). Myndigheten för stöd till trossamfund. Bryer, David (1975). "The Origins of the Druze Religion", Part 1. Der Islam, vol. 52, p. 47-84) Hirschberg, H.Z. (1981). T...
Feb 01, 2022•18 min•Ep. 6
In this video in the series on minority religions in the middle east, we explore Yazidism, a fascinating religion that have sometimes been oppressed and persecuted. Sources: Kreyenbroek, Philip G. (1995). "Yezidism: it's background, observances and textual tradition. Lewiston, N.Y.: Edwin Mellen Larson, Göran; Simon Sorgenfrei, Max Stockman (2017). "Religiösa minoriteter från Mellanöstern" (Religious minorities from the Middle East). Myndigheten för stöd till trossamfund. Videos used: https://ww...
Jan 28, 2022•17 min•Ep. 5
What is Mandaeism? And Who are the Mandaeans? This religious group from middle east has a long and rich history that connects it to Gnosticism, Early Judaism and John the Baptist. Listen to find out more about this fascinating tradition. Sources: Buckley, Jorunn J. Jacobsen (2002). "The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people". New York: Oxford University Press. Larson, Göran; Simon Sorgenfrei, Max Stockman (2017). "Religiösa minoriteter från Mellanöstern" (Religious minorities from the Middl...
Jan 25, 2022•12 min•Ep. 4
