Ep194: Sufism & The Way of Blame - Dr Yannis Toussulis 2

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Yannis Toussulis, Sufi lineage holder, psychotherapist, and author of ‘Sufism: The Way of Blame’. Dr Toussulis takes a deep dive into the practice and history of Sufism, including its historical interactions with Buddhism, Vedantism, Zoroastrianism, and posits a neoplatonic and Hellenic substructure underpinning Sufi mysticism. Dr Toussulis outlines the 4 phases of Sufism as a living practice, details its 7 stages of wisdom, and explains the role of bliss and tranquility in Sufi contemplation. Dr Toussulis also discusses the crucial role of the teacher, the importance of the circle of fellow practitioners, the role of ethics and direct experience, and why true Sufism must go beyond union with God as the ultimate end and purpose of the path. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep194-sufism-the-way-of-blame-dr-yannis-toussulis-2 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Why the book? 03:04 - What is Sufism? 05:59 - What is the Way of Blame? 07:29 - Exoteric and esoteric Islam 10:45 - Influences from Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and Buddhism 12:44 - Hellenism and the neoplatonic substructure of Sufism 14:02 - What is Neoplatonism? 15:37 - Nondualistic vs dualistic Sufism 21:31 - Evidence of Vedantic influence on Sufism 23:00 - Patanjali and other influence on Sufism 24:00 - Did Islam influence Medieval Christianity? 26:53 - The 4 phases of Sufism as a practice 29:59 - How to enter a school of Sufism 30:33 - Sufi meditative practices and states of direct cognition 33:26 - Sufism vs Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta 34:24 - Different approaches to morality in Sufism 36:52 - Application of the Sharia 38:47 - Sexual ethics in Islam 43:19 - Academic vs practice knowledge 45:43 - Constituents of Sufi practice 49:13 - Group practice 52:49 - 7 stages of wisdom 58:00 - Bliss and tranquility 59:50 - Dark night of the soul 01:02:05 - The role of the teacher and transmission 01:06:16 - Siddhi and spiritual progress 01:08:30 - Human completeness and going beyond union with God 01:11:36 - Effects of success in Sufi practice 01:14:26 - Sufi views on death and the afterlife 01:17:07 - The future of Sufism in the West 01:22:07 - Islam’s critique of secularism 01:23:54 - Dogma vs spiritual potency 01:27:27 - Unprecedented challenges facing humanity today 01:29:34 - A Sufi response? 01:31:54 - Importance of direct experience … Previous episode with Dr Yannis Toussulis: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep179-adventures-of-a-sufi-mystic-dr-yannis-toussulis … To find our more about Dr Yannis Toussulis, visit: - http://www.itlaqfoundation.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James