In this special podcast, we ask a few questions to Darwin Absari, Professor at the Institute for Islamic Studies at the University of the Philippines. Amidst the challenges of the global pandemic and terrorism, he perceives a living tradition present in every human being.
Prof Darwin will be the speaker of Sufism: Humanity’s primordial tradition on 22nd March, the third talk of the online series Unified Consciousness: One Mind One Heart
In a few words, can you tell us how you got in touch with the world of meditation?Â
“It’s natural because Sulu, my province in the southern part of the country was once home to Evagrius’ spiritual traditions, the Indians, the Chinese and Islam. Each came to teach their spirituality and those teachings were later on incorporated by the local people and became part of the social pattern. So that brutality is almost a part of everyday discussions with people in the community. Eventually in their lives, I’ve drawn the world of spirituality.”
Can you anticipate some of the elements of your talk and how religious and spiritual traditions can help humanity to face its current challenges through a unified consciousness
Spirituality, that is the need to know God, is our birthright. It is our deepest longing.
But humanity has always been unmindful of this reality because of the amusement the world is giving us and challenges usually motivate us to seek comfort in spirituality and religion as we are witnessing in the current pandemic that we are facing. But there has to be a collective effort from keepers of various religious and spiritual traditions to direct these humanities seeking comfort in spirituality to a unified consciousness of acknowledging the presence of the Divine through which humanity can draw a source of inspiration and strength to face this global pandemic. The rule of spiritual masters and sages and monks are needed. Spirituality. Meditation. Remembrance has to be taught publicly and has to become part of our daily lives.
