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Michael Sugich on Islam, Sufism & the Search for True Spiritual Guidance in a Noisy World

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Manage episode 508961317 series 3232467
Content provided by Silawath Irshad. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Silawath Irshad or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

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

  • Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/silawathirshad/⁠

  • LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/silawathirshad/

  • 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/

      continue reading

    118 episodes

    Artwork
    iconShare
     
    Manage episode 508961317 series 3232467
    Content provided by Silawath Irshad. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Silawath Irshad or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

    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

  • Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/silawathirshad/⁠

  • LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/silawathirshad/

  • 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/

      continue reading

    118 episodes

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