#90 Dancing in the Fire: Farah El-Sharif, Ayesha Kajee, Seemi Bushra Ghazi & Daniel Foor

Muslim Spirituality Illuminating the Path to Freedom: An exploration of how the spiritual heart of the Islamic tradition can inspire and fuel contemporary struggles for liberation, justice and humanity. Through their unique lens, this panel of visionaries modeled how spiritual life is not an escape from systemic injustice, but a revolutionary process which strengthens our collective capacity to transform unjust realities. They discuss Islam’s deepest essence and the spiritual fortitude to remain anchored in the commitment to truth, beauty and universal human flourishing. Today’s episode is a live talk as part of the World People’s Premiere of 21 days of conversations on Palestine with the release of the film Where Olive Trees Weep by SAND. Today’s talk is entitled Dancing in the Fire: Muslim Spirituality Illuminating the Path to Freedom with Farah El-Sharif, Ayesha Kajee, Seemi Bushra Ghazi and hosted by Daniel Foor. This talk is part of a package of talks that includes the 21 days of conversation with leading historians, spiritual teachers, trauma therapists, poets, artists, and more, plus extended interviews from the film, a live Q&A with Dr. Gabor Maté and Ashira Darwish from a live screening in Oakland, CA, a film discussion guide, and six community conversations on Palestine. To find out more about purchasing this package and supporting the mission of SAND and the film, visit WhereOliveTreesWeep.com. Dr. Farah El-Sharif is a writer, educator and research scholar. She received her PhD from Harvard University where she specialized in West African intellectual Islamic history. She earned degrees from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and served as Associate Director of the Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies at Stanford University, where she is currently a Visiting Scholar. Her writings have appeared in CNN, Newlines, and Muftah. Read more of her work on her Substack [email protected] Ayesha Kajee is a human rights and governance consultant based in Johannesburg, Ayesha Kajee has conducted research across much of sub-Saharan Africa, and has observed elections and peace processes in several countries. Her published research and opinion-analyses appear in various academic and news media, and she is often called upon by media houses for comment on topical issues. She was previously the founding director of the International Human Rights Exchange program at Wits University in Johannesburg, where she also lectured in Politics and International Relations. Ayesha briefly directed South Africa’s Freedom of Expression Institute before leaving full-time work to care for an invalid parent. She now works on a freelance basis. Her focus areas include transitional justice, media and media rights, African political economy, gender justice, migration and environmental rights. Seemi Bushra Ghazi is  lecturer in Classical Arabic at the University of British Columbia, specializes in Islamic literature, culture, and spirituality. A student in the Rifai Marufi lineage, she performs traditional Islamic arts, including Qur'anic recitation featured on BBC, CBC, NPR, and PBS. Her work appears in "Approaching Islam: the Early Revelations" and "A New Encyclopedia of Islam." Born in London and of South Asian origin, Ghazi studied at prestigious institutions in the U.S. and Middle East. Deeply involved in interfaith work, she hosts a monthly Unity Dhikr in Vancouver and is a founding board member of the Rumi Society and Vancouver Interspiritual Centre Society. Her expertise spans Islam, gender, and cross-cultural understanding Daniel Foor is a doctor of psychology, experienced ritualist, and the author of Ancestral Medicine: Rituals for Personal and Family Healing. He is a practicing Muslim and initiate in the Òrìṣà tradition of Yoruba-speaking West Africa who has also learned from Mahayan Buddhism and the older ways of his English and German ancestors. Daniel was a U.S. Fulbright scholar in Cairo, Egypt as a student of Arabic language, and he is passionate about generational healing and training leaders and change makers in the intersections of cultural healing, animist ethics, and applied ritual arts. He lives with his wife and daughters near his adoptive home of Granada, Spain in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. www.ancestralmedicine.org Sumud: https://muftah.org/2024/05/16/sumud-as-a-key/ Topics: 0:00 - Introduction 01:27 - Daniel Foor's Introduction 07:27 - Farah El-Sharif 21:17 - Ayesha Kajee 33:51 - Seemi Bushra Ghazi 47:45 - Closing Statements Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member.

Hadar Cohen shares her deep connection to her Middle Eastern Jewish ancestry and the intertwining of mysticism and activism in her work. She discusses the complexity of her Arab Jewish identity and the impact of colonialism on the narrative of Arab Jews. Hadar also delves into the weaponization of trauma and the need for a multi-religious, secular society in a free Palestine. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the concept of Zionism, the intersection of science and spirituality and her Jewish Mysticism School. Hadar is an Arab Jewish scholar, mystic and artist. She teaches spirituality and Jewish mysticism at Malchut, a mystical school teaching direct experience of God. She was born and raised in a Sephardic Jewish home in Jerusalem, a city she is still lovingly devoted to. Her ancestral roots span the Middle East, from 10 generations in Jerusalem and with additional lineage roots in Syria, Kurdistan, Iraq and Iran. Throughout her life she has traveled between Jerusalem and the US, bridging the Levant with the West. Connect with Hadar’s writings on Substack. Topics: 00:00 - Introduction 02:52 - Ancestral Lineage 10:04 - Arab Judaism  17:42 - Colonialism and Spiritual Division 21:15 - Zionist, Trauma, and the Empire Mind Virus 30:01 - Vision for a Secular Multi-religious Palestine 33:49 -  Science and Spiritually in Arab Culture 40:28 - Modernity and Religion 49:51 - Malchut Mysticism school 55:37 - Upcoming Retreats Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member

Today, June 6, 2024, we’re celebrating the release of SAND’s new film Where Olive Trees Weep. And to celebrate the launch of the film, we welcome you to Donate and Watch the film by visiting WhereOliveTreesWeep.com. Donating to watch the film will also enroll you in a 21-day online event called “The World People’s Premiere” which happening online from June 6-27 with conversations, music, poetry, and . And you can donate to watch the film and sign up to watch all the conversations with speakers such as, Ashira Darwish (star of the film), Dr. Gabor Maté, Angela Davis, V, Daniel Foor, Dareer Tatour, Ilan Pappé, Michael McBride, Mona Haydar, Norman Finkelstein, Pir Zia Inyat Khan, Neta Golan, Tara Brach, and directors of the film, Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo. Whom we also interview on episode #86 if you want to hear more of the story and vision on the film. The film gives background to the current crisis in Israel/Palestine and brings to light the lives of people we met on our 2022 journey in the occupied West Bank. Their universally human stories speak of intergenerational pain, trauma and resilience.  We hope they touch your heart, stir compassion and understanding, and give rise to a pursuit for justice. For without justice, peace remains an empty slogan. Cinema can be a powerful force for change.  Our aim is, beyond mere education, to truly move hearts and minds and inspire audiences to echo the calls for freedom, equality and dignity that have gone unanswered for far too long. The film is our modest contribution towards our dream for an end to the occupation in Palestine, the attainment of equal rights and fair treatment for Palestinian people, and the spreading of healing for all intergenerational cycles of trauma in the region. https://whereolivetreesweep.com/

A recording of excerpts from a live SAND Community Gathering hosted by Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo from Apr 20, 2024. Storyteller Haneen Sabbah, a Palestinian Falahi woman and mother from Gaza, guided us through an experience of the vibrant and thriving place Gaza once was, before it became a pile of rubble. She transports us to the rich history and culture of this region through her enchanting drumbeats, meditations, and songs. In this episode, we explore the connections woven into the very name "Gaza" غزة, unveil layers of history, traditions, and symbolism that this ancient land carries, discover the deep ties between land and people, and are reminded of the resilience that has sustained them through decades of challenges. We share a vision of a once-again thriving and free Gaza. Haneen Sabbah, a Palestinian Falahi woman now based in southern Portugal, is a writer at We Are Not Numbers and Global Voices, and an organizer, singer and storyteller at heart. She also teaches Arabic online to Israeli Activists and Jews who want to connect to their Arabic roots.Having left Gaza in 2018, she moved to a community where she learned peace work and non-violent communication, which helped her advocate for nonviolent resistance with the Palestinian people. Shining a light on Palestinian culture with songs, food and stories, she is part of a dream circle of Palestinian and Israeli women who work toward supporting peace and the protection of life. Believing in the importance of inner healing for collective liberation, she leads a guided movement meditative practice. Her work is rooted in love. Topics 0:00 - Introduction 04:30 - The Place of Gaza 18:50 - Stories from Gaza's Past 29:50 - "Halalaya" A Song from Haneen 34:50 - A Story of Haneen's Friends in Gaza 41:28 - Life in Diaspora 45:24 - Ways to Support Gaza 48:51 - Final Poem from Haneen Visit WhereOliveTreesWeep.com for more information about SAND’s new film on Palestine Also mentioned in this episode is SAND’s Fundraise to help relocate a family from the genocide in Gaza. https://givebutter.com/THzYSN Support the mission of SAND the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member.

  In this episode with filmmakers, producers, and founders of Science & Nonduality (SAND) Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo discuss their new film, Where Olive Trees Weep, which explores the impact of colonialism and intergenerational trauma on indigenous cultures, particularly in the occupied West Bank and Palestine. The film serves as a call to action for spiritual activism and aims to amplify the voices of those affected by oppression and injustice. The 21-day release of the film is accompanied by conversations, music, and poetry to provide a more holistic experience for viewers entitled World People's Premiere June 6–27, 2024.    Their aim is, beyond mere education, to truly move hearts and minds and inspire audiences to echo the calls for freedom, equality and dignity that have gone unanswered for far too long. This film hopes to inspire a dream for an end to the occupation in Palestine, the attainment of equal rights and fair treatment for Palestinian people, and the spreading of healing for all intergenerational cycles of trauma in the region.   Visit WhereOliveTreesWeep.com for more information, to join the premiere, and to share in the vision.   Zaya Ralitza Benazzo is a producer and a film director born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria. She is the co-founder of the nonprofit organization SAND. She has produced and directed several award-winning documentaries including The Wisdom of Trauma, The Art of Life, Rays of the Absolute, America's Chemical Angels, and Wings and Strings.   Maurizio Benazzo grew up in Genova, Italy. At an early age he began actively traveling the spiritual path, exploring the practices of Zen Buddhism, Transcendental Meditation, Yogic philosophy, Catholicism and Philosophy. He has experience in all aspects of production both in front of and behind the camera, including acting, directing, cinematography, and distribution.   Topics   00:00 - Introduction 03:58 - The Path towards the Olive Trees 08:42 - History with Spiritual Activism 13:14 - The Reality in the West Bank 23:19 - Keeping Inspired During the Painful Moments 26:35 - Hopes for the Film 32:15 - The People’s Premiere Event 37:06 - Shadows of Modern Spirituality in the Face of Injustice  

Osprey Orielle Lake is the Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Earth & Climate Action Network, International (WECAN). She works nationally and internationally with grassroots, Indigenous and business leaders, policy-makers and scientists to promote climate justice, resilient communities, and a just transition to a clean energy future. Osprey is Co-chair of International Advocacy for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature and the visionary behind the International Women's Earth and Climate Summit, which brought together 100 women leaders from around the world to draft and implement a Women's Climate Action Agenda. She teaches international climate trainings and directs WECAN’s advocacy work in areas such as Women for Forests, Rights of Nature and UN Forums. She has served on the board of the Praxis Peace Institute and on the Steering Committee for The UN Women’s Major Group for the Rio+20 Earth Summit. Awards include the National Women’s History Project Honoree, Taking The Lead To Save Our Planet, and the Woman Of The Year Outstanding Achievement Award from the California Federation Of Business And Professional Women.  Osprey is the author of the award-winning book, Uprisings for the Earth: Reconnecting Culture with Nature.Her new book is The Story is in Our Bones: How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis Topics: 00:00 — Introduction 08:05 — Path to the Book 14:42 — Moderns and Ancient Science 20:24 — Integrative and Interconnected Ways Forward  25:28 — Gaza and the Polycrisis 35:28 — Composting Cultural Toxins 42:00 — Remembering How to Listen 45:40 — Stories of Resilience Support the mission of SAND the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member.

A recording of excerpts from a live SAND Community Gathering hosted by Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo. In these times of unbearable anguish, as the already beleaguered Palestinian community is being massacred and starved before our astonished eyes, our own grieving flows into the sea of human suffering and we remember that we belong to each other. Mirabai Starr is an award-winning author of creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature. She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialog. A certified bereavement counselor, Mirabai helps mourners harness the transformational power of loss. Her latest book, WILD MERCY: Living the Fierce & Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics, was named one of the “Best Books of 2019”. She lives with her extended family in the mountains of northern New Mexico. Mona Haydar is a young Muslim Syrian-American poet, musician, workshop leader and speaker who gained global recognition through her “Ask A Muslim” project and the viral hip-hop music video “Hijabi (Wrap My Hijab).” Her debut EP “Barbarican” addresses global patriarchy, orientalism, immigration policy, white supremacy, and suicide. A Master’s graduate in Theology from Union Theological Seminary, Mona speaks at churches, synagogues, universities and international forums, engaging audiences on art, Islam, feminism, hip hop, theology, and interfaith dialogue. Topics   00:00 — Introduction 06:52 — Mirabai’s Introduction 16:42 — Mona’s Introduction 21:06 — Interfaith Teachings on Grief 32:40 — Islamic Teachings on Grief 41:58 — The Grief of Loss 50:11 — Closing Prayer 55:58 — Song from Desiree Dawson & Mona Hayder Support the mission of SAND the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member: Also mentioned in this episode is SAND’s Fundraiser to help relocate a family from the Genocide in Gaza.

Mattias Daly is Taoist practitioner and a professional translator with a degree in acupuncture and a master’s in Chinese Literature. He was inducted into the Longmen lineage of Complete Reality Daoism by Abbess Liu of the Three Purities Monastery in Jilin province, China in 2013. He primarily translates for the National Palace Museum in Taipei and the Chinese Taipei PEN quarterly. His new translation of Taoist Inner Alchemy: Master Huang Yuanji's Guide to the Way of Meditation by Ge Guolong and Huang Yuanji is out now on Shambala Publications. Topics: 04:42 — Core Principle of Taoism 10:59 — Path of Taoist Inner Alchemy 15:11 — Metaphor of Alchemy 22:44 — Energies of Inner Alchemy 27:09 — Chan Buddhism 35:36 — Physical Components of Inner Alchemy 43:45 —  Importance of Heart Practice 45:15 — Navigating the Polycrisis Support the mission of SAND the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member.

A recording of excerpts from a SAND Community Gathering hosted by Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo. Trauma has a severe impact that extends far beyond the individual survivor. It ripples through families, communities, and generations in ways both seen and unseen. Yet there is a path forward — through courageously sharing our stories and tapping into the body’s innate wisdom. In this episode, Peter openly shares his own courageous journey to resolve severe childhood trauma, by using the very techniques he developed. He shows a pathway whereby giving voice to our stories can help reclaim our dignity, wholeness, and ignite an inner spark of healing. Peter A. Levine, Ph.D., is the renowned developer of Somatic Experiencing. He holds a doctorate in Medical and Biological Physics from the University of California at Berkeley and a doctorate in Psychology from International University. The recipient of four lifetime achievement awards, he is the author of several books, including Waking the Tiger, which has now been printed in 33 countries and has sold over a million copies. His new book is An Autobiography of Trauma: A Healing Journey Topics: 00:00 — Introduction 02:43 — Writing the new Autobiography 09:05 — Uncovering Layers of Trauma 19:52 — Trauma & Intimate Relationships 26:20 — Meeting Albert Einstein & Past Life Trauma 34:00 — Relationships with Parents 43:00 — Connections to Ancient Traditions 50:10 — Indigenous Healing Practices 57:12 — Closing Support the mission of SAND the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member. Also mentioned in this episode is SAND’s Fundraiser to help relocate a family from the genocide in Gaza.

Reem (DRĖĖĖMY) Abdou is a native Egyptian international interdisciplinary sound artist, embodiment and meditation guide, curator, cultural worker, and community building founder of the inclusive global impact agency for women+ & BIPOC holistic artists: The Collective BAE. As an intentional DJ and spoken word poet, her work harnesses music, movement, and meditation to activate real shifts at the intersection of transformational creativity, social and healing justice, and ecosystem consciousness. Links: www.dreeemy.com instagram.com/dreeemy www.collectivebae.com   Upcoming projects: Join The BAE (RE)MEMBERSHIPS: An Ecology of Care for Conscious Creatives. We'll be launching a full training course this May. The release of the 2nd EP: SALTWATERS in the Mother & Water project. It will be released this May. Topics: 00:00 — Introduction 03:00 — Ancestry & Dream work 06:45 — Communities 11:19 — Bass Yoga 17:19 — Gradients & Binaries 23:17 — Ecologies of Care 32:33 — Sacred Activism 36:51 — Post-COVID Shift 45:31 — Egyptian Lineage 53:44 — Upcoming Projects Support the mission of SAND the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member: