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Michael Sugich on Islam, Sufism & the Search for True Spiritual Guidance in a Noisy World
Manage episode 508961317 series 3232467
What does it mean to truly know God in a world drowning in distractions, noise, and false guides? In this deeply inspiring conversation, writer and spiritual traveler Michael Sugich shares his extraordinary journey from the stages of America's theater to the timeless wisdom of Islam and Sufism.
Michael Sugich is an acclaimed American writer and spiritual traveler who converted to Islam in his early twenties. He has authored several celebrated works, including Signs on the Horizons, Hearts Turn, and the nine-volume series The Exemplars for Our Time (co-authored with photographer Peter Sanders), which document stories of faith, repentance, and the lives of contemporary saints.
Michael opens up about his youth in the 1960s, his spiritual awakening, and the transformative role of Sufi teachers and authentic spiritual guides. We dive into the purpose of religion, the dangers of self-guided spirituality in the “Shaykh Google” age, and how seekers today can discern truth from illusion.
This episode is a treasure chest for anyone seeking authentic spirituality, the meaning of Islam, and the path of the heart.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 mins – Introduction & Michael Sugich’s journey across the world
01:24 mins – Discovering Islam through Sufism and the power of repetition
06:30 mins – A life-changing teenage spiritual experience
10:00 mins – Sufism as an integral part of Islam (Islam, Iman, Ihsan)
14:43 mins – The importance of travel & seeking authentic teachers
20:16 mins – The role of spiritual guides and the dangers of false sheikhs
30:18 mins – Why Sharia and Tasawwuf cannot be separated
36:50 mins – The rise of “Shaykh Google” & pitfalls of online spirituality
42:00 mins – Colonialism, modern crises, and forgetting the true purpose of religion
46:15 mins – Islam as a toolkit to know God (not identity or politics)
49:54 mins – The power of Dhikr and remembrance of God
54:47 mins – True vs false spiritual teachers: red flags and green flags
1:10:00 mins – Stories of saints, miracles, and the subtle signs of sincerity
1:18:10 mins – Why authentic sheikhs live ordinary lives, not cult-like ones
1:21:15 mins – Destiny, connection, and the secret of finding a true guide
Closing mins – Final reflections on spirituality, humility, and knowing God
Stay Connected with The Growth Mindset:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silawath_irshad/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheGrowthMindsetwithSilawathIrshad
You can reach out to Michael Sugich below, and the list of books written is mentioned below:
Books: Signs on the Horizons, Hearts Turn, The Exemplars for Our Time
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.sugich/
118 episodes
Manage episode 508961317 series 3232467
What does it mean to truly know God in a world drowning in distractions, noise, and false guides? In this deeply inspiring conversation, writer and spiritual traveler Michael Sugich shares his extraordinary journey from the stages of America's theater to the timeless wisdom of Islam and Sufism.
Michael Sugich is an acclaimed American writer and spiritual traveler who converted to Islam in his early twenties. He has authored several celebrated works, including Signs on the Horizons, Hearts Turn, and the nine-volume series The Exemplars for Our Time (co-authored with photographer Peter Sanders), which document stories of faith, repentance, and the lives of contemporary saints.
Michael opens up about his youth in the 1960s, his spiritual awakening, and the transformative role of Sufi teachers and authentic spiritual guides. We dive into the purpose of religion, the dangers of self-guided spirituality in the “Shaykh Google” age, and how seekers today can discern truth from illusion.
This episode is a treasure chest for anyone seeking authentic spirituality, the meaning of Islam, and the path of the heart.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 mins – Introduction & Michael Sugich’s journey across the world
01:24 mins – Discovering Islam through Sufism and the power of repetition
06:30 mins – A life-changing teenage spiritual experience
10:00 mins – Sufism as an integral part of Islam (Islam, Iman, Ihsan)
14:43 mins – The importance of travel & seeking authentic teachers
20:16 mins – The role of spiritual guides and the dangers of false sheikhs
30:18 mins – Why Sharia and Tasawwuf cannot be separated
36:50 mins – The rise of “Shaykh Google” & pitfalls of online spirituality
42:00 mins – Colonialism, modern crises, and forgetting the true purpose of religion
46:15 mins – Islam as a toolkit to know God (not identity or politics)
49:54 mins – The power of Dhikr and remembrance of God
54:47 mins – True vs false spiritual teachers: red flags and green flags
1:10:00 mins – Stories of saints, miracles, and the subtle signs of sincerity
1:18:10 mins – Why authentic sheikhs live ordinary lives, not cult-like ones
1:21:15 mins – Destiny, connection, and the secret of finding a true guide
Closing mins – Final reflections on spirituality, humility, and knowing God
Stay Connected with The Growth Mindset:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silawath_irshad/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheGrowthMindsetwithSilawathIrshad
You can reach out to Michael Sugich below, and the list of books written is mentioned below:
Books: Signs on the Horizons, Hearts Turn, The Exemplars for Our Time
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.sugich/
118 episodes
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