Immortal Echoes, Mortal Words
Our podcasts: Ibn Arabi Podcast, Persian Mystical Poetry Podcast, Shiʿi Mysticism (ʿIrfān) Podcast, and Islamic and Neoplatonic Metaphysics Podcast. Hosts: Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani; Reyhaneh Davoodi-Kahaki
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Episodes
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani
Reyhaneh Davoodi-Kahaki
Music: https://www.youtube.com/@amirmohamdmonjezi
How do Ibn ʿArabī, Mullā Ṣadrā, and Rumi represent three unique yet converging paths in Islamic philosophy, sufism, and mysticism? Which thinker should you choose to read and follow? This episode explores their profound contributions to metaphysics, spirituality, and personal transformation—and why their insights matter in today’s world. Ibn ʿArabī introduces us to the School of Realization (taḥqīq), where knowledge is verified through unveiling and the balance of reason and imagination. Mullā Ṣadrā, founder of Transcendent Theosophy (al-Ḥikma al-Mutaʿāliya), unites rational proofs with mystical experience, centered on doctrines such as primacy of existence (aṣālat al-wujūd) and substantial motion (ḥaraka jawhariyya). Rumi, through his Mathnawī, Fīhī mā fīh, and ecstatic Dīwān-i Shams Tabrizi, teaches through stories and love—transforming the heart and guiding seekers to divine unity. These three thinkers represent complementary approaches: the visionary metaphysics of Ibn ʿArabī, the rigorous philosophical synthesis of Mullā Ṣadrā, and the poetic pedagogy of Rumi. Their teachings remain vital for anyone seeking spiritual wisdom, metaphysical clarity, and ethical transformation. Whether you are drawn to proofs, unveiling, or poetic narrative, this discussion will help you navigate the vast terrain of Islamic intellectual and mystical traditions, and decide which thinker suits you most.
Watch our podcasts:
Islamic & Neoplatonist Metaphysics https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkz7b_183HHCQ_3o4OTPPSJPdVK_Tfv0&si=3cEpr7Arya0rqITw
My latest book: Sarayān: The Real’s Permeation: Ibn ʿArabi on the Divine Presence in the Cosmos with Neoplatonic Insights (available in both digital and print formats): https://immortalechoes.org/pages/our-press
Visit our Academy of Mystic Poetics and Philosophy, and check out our courses: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/courses
If you enjoy the content and wish to support our work, your generosity helps us continue creating: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/donations
Watch more from our Ibn Arabi Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkz7b_183HG0qkYvbH9dyTAWnncKZGLp&si=sCNGBNjB7RRRIZat
My recent publications: https://istanbul.academia.edu/RasoulRahbariGhazani
Interpretive Questions:
Which of the three paths—proofs, unveiling, or poetry—resonates most with your own spiritual journey?
Do you find Ibn ʿArabī’s emphasis on imagination and symbolic reading relevant in today’s scientific-rational age?
Mullā Ṣadrā’s idea of substantial motion implies the soul is always in transformation. How does this shape your view of personal growth?
Rumi teaches through stories and love rather than arguments. Do you think love can convey truths that logic cannot?
How can these three traditions—philosophy, mysticism, and poetry—complement one another in guiding us toward wisdom today?
Recommended Reading:
Chittick, William, “Ibn ‘Arabî,” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2020 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.). [https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ibn-arabi/]
Rizvi, Sajjad, “Mulla Sadra,” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2021 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.). [https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2009/entries/mulla-sadra/]
Mojaddedi, Jawid, “RUMI, JALĀL-AL-DIN viii. Rumi’s Teachings,” Encyclopædia Iranica, online edition, 2014. [https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/rumi-jalal-al-din-teachings/]
William C. Chittick, “RUMI, JALĀL-AL-DIN vii. Philosophy,” Encyclopædia Iranica, online edition, 2017. [https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/rumi-philosophy/]
#IslamicPhilosophy #Sufism #Mysticism #Metaphysics #SpiritualWisdom #IbnArabi #MullaSadra #Rumi
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani
Unlock the Hidden Wisdom of Ibn Arabi’s Fusus al-Hikam. Ibn Arabi’s doctrine of wahdat al-wujud (The Oneness of Being/Unity of Existence) is one of the most profound metaphysical ideas in Sufi thought. In this exclusive series, we delve into the esoteric meanings of divine Names, the Perfect Man, and the cosmic mirror of existence, as Ibn Arabi reveals the secrets of creation.
My latest book: Sarayān: The Real’s Permeation: Ibn ʿArabi on the Divine Presence in the Cosmos with Neoplatonic Insights (available in both digital and print formats): https://immortalechoes.org/pages/our-press
Visit our Academy of Mystic Poetics and Philosophy, and check out our courses: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/courses
If you enjoy the content and wish to support our work, your generosity helps us continue creating: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/donations
Watch more from our Ibn Arabi Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkz7b_183HG0qkYvbH9dyTAWnncKZGLp&si=sCNGBNjB7RRRIZat
My recent publications: https://istanbul.academia.edu/RasoulRahbariGhazani
Guiding Questions:
Varieties of Petitioners – How do people differ in the way they make requests to God?
Haste vs. Wisdom – What is the difference between asking out of haste and asking in recognition that some divine gifts are only given when requested?
Criticism of Early Sufi Extremes – How does Ibn ʿArabī differ from early Sufis who believed one should never ask anything from God, even relief from suffering?
Contentment and Gratitude – What is the authentic interplay between contentment and gratitude in Ibn ʿArabī’s thought?
Supplication vs. Complaint – Why does Ibn ʿArabī suggest that asking God is not the same as complaining against Him?
The Example of Prophet Ayyūb – How does the story of Prophet Ayyūb (Job) illustrate the balance between patience and supplication?
Destiny and the Destined – How does Ibn ʿArabī distinguish between destiny and what is destined?
Qur’anic Anchor – What point does Ibn ʿArabī make about the Qur’anic verse (2:186): “When My servants ask thee about Me, truly I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me, that they may be led aright.”
Levels of Asking – What distinctions does Ibn ʿArabī make between verbal asking and inner asking?
Divine Response vs. Bestowal – How does Ibn ʿArabī separate God’s answering from God’s granting? Why is answering guaranteed while granting is conditional?
Aptitude as Hidden Asking – What does Ibn ʿArabī mean when he says that one’s aptitude (istiʿdād) is itself a form of supplication?
Surprise in Response – Why might there be a gap between what a person verbally asks for and what they actually receive?
Human Expectation vs. Divine Wisdom – How does this teaching challenge the common human expectation that prayer should yield exactly what is asked?
Practical and Spiritual Implications – How might understanding prayer in light of aptitude and destiny change how one approaches everyday supplication?
#IbnArabi #FususAlHikam #IslamicPhilosophy #SufiMetaphysics #Mysticism #ibn_arabi
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani
Reyhaneh Davoodi-Kahaki
Music: https://www.youtube.com/@amirmohamdmonjezi
In this video, I explore why prophetic revelation is necessary if reason and mystical unveiling (kashf) can access divine truth. In Chapter One of the Fuṣūṣ al-Ḥikam, Ibn ʿArabī implicitly introduces a metaphysical vision in which reason, unveiling, and revelation form a threefold hierarchy of divine knowledge.
My latest book: Sarayān: The Real’s Permeation: Ibn ʿArabi on the Divine Presence in the Cosmos with Neoplatonic Insights (available in both digital and print formats): https://immortalechoes.org/pages/our-press
Visit our Academy of Mystic Poetics and Philosophy, and check out our courses: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/courses
If you enjoy the content and wish to support our work, your generosity helps us continue creating: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/donations
Watch more from our Ibn Arabi Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkz7b_183HG0qkYvbH9dyTAWnncKZGLp&si=sCNGBNjB7RRRIZat
My recent publications: https://istanbul.academia.edu/RasoulRahbariGhazani
#IbnArabi #Sufism #IslamicPhilosophy #Metaphysics #Mysticism
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Host: Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani
Recitation: Reyhaneh Davoodi-Kahaki
Consultant: Mohammad Davoodi
Music: https://www.youtube.com/@amirmohamdmonjezi
Location: Mazandaran (Northern forests of Iran)
In this episode of the Rumi Podcast, we explore ghazal 2054 from Rumi’s Dīwān-i Shams Tabrizi, a heart-wrenching cry to the Beloved—Shams of Tabriz. This mystical poem explores themes of separation, divine love, longing, and spiritual intoxication, speaking directly to the universal human experience of spiritual abandonment and inner yearning. We uncover how this poem is not just about loss—but about the soul’s transformative confrontation with divine absence. These verses resonate deeply today in a world of emotional distance and spiritual seeking.
Visit our Academy of Mystic Poetics and Philosophy, and check out our courses: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/courses
If you enjoy the content and wish to support our work, your generosity helps us continue creating: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/donations
Watch more from Persian Mystical Poetry Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkz7b_183HHJERERmZ7fn8cYrLJOzvqy&si=m5l2JJfTOLetqpST
Read my recent publications: https://istanbul.academia.edu/RasoulRahbariGhazani
🔻 Guiding Questions:
What does this poem teach us about the pain of spiritual separation and longing?
Which verse struck your heart the most, and why?
How do you personally experience the paradox of divine nearness and absence?
Can spiritual longing lead to awakening, or does it deepen the wound?
#RumiPoetry #Sufism #SpiritualWisdom #PersianMysticism #RumiExplained
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Why does God say “We” in the Quran? | Imam Sadiq’s (a.s.) Insight into Divine Speech
Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani
Reyhaneh Davoodi-Kahaki
Music: https://www.youtube.com/@amirmohamdmonjezi
Why does the Qur’an use the plural “We” when God speaks—despite His absolute Oneness? In Shi‘i Mysticism and Islamic spirituality, this question opens a gateway to esoteric interpretation, divine light, and Imamology. In this episode of Shi‘i Mysticism, I explore a profound interpretation by Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (a.s.), who elegantly explains God’s use of the plural in the Qur’an. Join me in this exploration.
Visit our Academy of Mystic Poetics and Philosophy, and check out our courses: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/courses
If you enjoy the content and wish to support our work, your generosity helps us continue creating: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/donations
Watch more from Shi'i Mysticism Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkz7b_183HFFxjOWCPTZXunQ6B_xzBz6&si=kx-T_U38A6wnOQfw
Read my recent publications: https://istanbul.academia.edu/RasoulRahbariGhazani
🔻Guiding Questions:
How do you understand God's use of "We" in the Qur’an?
In what ways does Imam Sadiq’s interpretation shift your understanding of God’s Oneness?
#ShiismExplained #Irfan #MullaSadra #IslamicMysticism #ImamAliWisdom
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani
Reyhaneh Davoodi-Kahaki
Music: https://www.youtube.com/@amirmohamdmonjezi
In this episode of our Ibn ʿArabī Podcast, I explore Henry Corbin’s interpretation of Ibn ʿArabī’s conception of imagination (al-khayāl) as the very organ of divine manifestation and ontological mediation. Ibn ʿArabī’s metaphysics of imagination bridges Essence and existence, the divine and the human, revealing how every act of imagination is an act of creation—a theophany (tajallī) through which Being discloses itself. This teaching is central to sufism and Islamic metaphysics.
My latest book: Sarayān: The Real’s Permeation: Ibn ʿArabi on the Divine Presence in the Cosmos with Neoplatonic Insights (available in both digital and print formats): https://immortalechoes.org/pages/our-press
Visit our Academy of Mystic Poetics and Philosophy, and check out our courses: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/courses
If you enjoy the content and wish to support our work, your generosity helps us continue creating: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/donations
Watch more from our Ibn Arabi Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkz7b_183HG0qkYvbH9dyTAWnncKZGLp&si=sCNGBNjB7RRRIZat
My recent publications: https://istanbul.academia.edu/RasoulRahbariGhazani
Guiding Questions:
What does it mean that imagination “creates being”? How does this reshape our understanding of creativity and divine manifestation?
In what way can human imagination reflect the Divine Imagination that Corbin describes?
How does the concept of barzakh or “isthmus” help us understand the relationship between spirit and body, unseen and seen?
#IbnArabi #Sufism #IslamicPhilosophy #Metaphysics #Mysticism
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani
Reyhaneh Davoodi-Kahaki
Music: https://www.youtube.com/@amirmohamdmonjezi
In this video, we explore ghazal 2984 from Rumi's Diwan, a beautiful and profound dialogue between the soul and the Divine. This poem invites us into the interplay of concealment and revelation, the hidden artistry of the cosmos, and the awakening of the heart. Through the imagery of birds, veils, wine of meaning, and divine artistry, we see that every form is a sign pointing back to the Beloved, that every struggle is part of a greater design, and that spiritual growth is a journey from perception to participation—even into silence itself.Guiding questions:
What does the idea of “veils” in this poem mean for your own inner life?
In what way might your suffering or trials be a pathway rather than a barrier?
What does it mean for you to move “from perception to participation” in spiritual life?
Visit our Academy of Mystic Poetics and Philosophy, and check out our courses: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/courses
If you enjoy the content and wish to support our work, your generosity helps us continue creating: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/donations
Watch more from Persian Mystical Poetry Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkz7b_183HHJERERmZ7fn8cYrLJOzvqy&si=m5l2JJfTOLetqpST
Read my recent publications: https://istanbul.academia.edu/RasoulRahbariGhazani#RumiPoetry #Sufism #PersianMysticism #SpiritualWisdom #RumiExplained
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Host: Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani
Recitation: Reyhaneh Davoodi-Kahaki
Consultant: Mohammad Davoodi
Music: https://www.youtube.com/@amirmohamdmonjezi
What does it mean to be invited by the Divine? In this episode of the Rumi Podcast, we explore Ghazal 10 from Rumi’s Diwan. This mystical poem blends Sufi spirituality, symbolism, and paradox—inviting us to reflect on God’s Mercy, Wrath, and our inner readiness. We begin with the image of a nightly banquet where God Himself is the Host, reminding us that all spiritual longing begins with His Grace. But not all guests are worthy—Rumi contrasts the lion (the spiritually awakened) with the monkey (the spiritually unprepared), warning that we must refine ourselves to sit at the table. The episode unfolds deep themes of divine hospitality, spiritual immaturity, and the paradox of human nature, with Rumi portraying sin not as rebellion but as the innocent error of a lion’s cub. He pleads for God’s compassion in a world where even saints carry swords of justice within soft hearts.
Visit our Academy of Mystic Poetics and Philosophy, and check out our courses: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/courses
If you enjoy the content and wish to support our work, your generosity helps us continue creating: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/donations
Watch more from Persian Mystical Poetry Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkz7b_183HHJERERmZ7fn8cYrLJOzvqy&si=m5l2JJfTOLetqpST
Read my recent publications: https://istanbul.academia.edu/RasoulRahbariGhazani
🔻Guiding Questions:
What does it mean to be a “guest at the King's table” in your own spiritual journey?
Have you ever felt like the “monkey among lions” in a sacred or transformative space?
How do you interpret the paradox of God being both infinitely Merciful and terrifyingly Just?
In what ways do you relate to the lion cub—making mistakes out of innocence rather than malice?
What inner “beasts” do you feel Rumi is calling us to recognize—and eventually tame?
#RumiPoetry #Sufism #PersianMysticism #SpiritualWisdom #RumiExplained
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Host: Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani
Recitation: Reyhaneh Davoodi-Kahak
Consultant: Mohammad Davoodi
Music: https://www.youtube.com/@amirmohamdmonjezi
What is the fire that can turn spiritual night into day? In this episode of the Persian Poetry Podcast, we explore verses from Fayd Kashani's Masnavi poem: Āb-i Zulāl (Clear Water). These verses explore themes of divine love, gnosis, self-transcendence, and spiritual awakening. We discuss how Fayḍ unites philosophy, mysticism, and ethics in his poetry, addressing questions of human restlessness, longing for meaning, and the soul’s path toward enlightenment. His vision speaks directly to our modern challenges—where spiritual coldness can only be overcome by the warmth of divine love and self-knowledge.
Watch more episodes from our Persian Poetry Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkz7b_183HHJERERmZ7fn8cYrLJOzvqy&si=wpPAoEOfnofob2jQ
Guiding Questions:
How does Fayḍ Kāshānī’s idea of divine love as “fire” challenge modern views of love and desire?
What does it mean for the soul to be “cold” or “stone-hearted,” and how do you see this in contemporary life?
Can love and knowledge truly coexist, or must one dominate?
How do these verses reflect the mystic journey of fanāʾ (self-transcendence) and baqāʾ (subsistence in God)?
Which line from Fayḍ’s poem speaks most to your current spiritual state?
Visit our Academy of Mystic Poetics and Philosophy, and check out our courses: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/courses
If you enjoy the content and wish to support our work, your generosity helps us continue creating: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/donations
My recent publications: https://istanbul.academia.edu/RasoulRahbariGhazani
#PersianPoetry #MysticalPoetry #Sufism #SpiritualWisdom #FaydKashani
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Host: Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani
Recitation: Dr. Reyhaneh Davoodi-Kahaki
Consultant: Mohammad Davoodi
Music: https://www.youtube.com/@amirmohamdmonjezi
In this episode of the Rumi Podcast, we dive deep into Ghazal 1828 from Rumi’s Divan-i Shams Tabrizi, exploring his mystical symbolism through the image of the camel—a metaphor for the spiritual seeker, drunk with divine love’s overwhelming pull. Rumi’s poetry invites us to reflect on spiritual surrender, divine madness, and the paradox of ecstatic challenges. Rumi illustrates the lover’s journey toward the Beloved, where self-transcendence becomes the path to divine union. This wisdom offers insights into spiritual awakening, inner transformation, and soulful resilience.
Guiding Questions:
What does Rumi's choice of the camel metaphor tell you?
How do you interpret Rumi’s idea of love as both a burden and a liberation?
What is Rumi teaching us about the nature of divine intoxication and its role in transformation?
In what ways does Rumi’s poetry help you navigate the emotional and spiritual complexities of life today?
Visit our Academy of Mystic Poetics and Philosophy, and check out our courses: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/courses
If you enjoy the content and wish to support our work, your generosity helps us continue creating: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/donations
Watch more from Persian Mystical Poetry Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkz7b_183HHJERERmZ7fn8cYrLJOzvqy&si=m5l2JJfTOLetqpST
Read my recent publications: https://istanbul.academia.edu/RasoulRahbariGhazani
#RumiPoetry #Sufism #PersianMysticism #SpiritualWisdom #RumiExplained