by Imam Jamal Rahman
Date: Wednesday, October 16 at 9:00 AM PDT
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Cost: Suggested donation $10 US.
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Description
In this book, Jamal illustrates the treasured Sufi practice of meditating on a beautiful Qur’anic verse, accompanied by another Qur’anic verse, saying of the Prophet Muhammad, or teaching story or poetry of the mystics such as Rumi, Hafez or Rabia.
The “accompaniments” illuminate the original verse. By pondering on them, one might begin to feel a shift within and slowly grow in higher consciousness. This spiritual evolvement is embodied in the traditional saying, “Once the blush of the Beloved graces you, there is no going back to being a green apple. “
In this program, in response to questions, Jamal will reflect on various verses of beauty and wisdom from the Qur’an in order to understand some of its deeper meanings and relevance to our time and our world today. We invite you, regardless of your faith or no faith, to join us on this journey of discovery.
What others say about the book
"Imam Jamal Rahman weaves his words together beautifully, gently kindling the sacred light that lies within each of us. Through tenderness, kindness, and boundless hope, Jamal guides us on a voyage through the Qur'an, embedded in poetry, rich symbolism, and enchanting teaching stories. For those who have been waiting for a heart-opening and inspiringly beautiful collection of reminders from the Qur’an—this book is for you!"
~ A. Helwa, author of Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam
"Every wisdom tradition nurtures a practice of reading sacred scriptures with a curious mind, a hungry heart, and a sense of spiritual adventure, winnowing the ripened grain of our own understanding. In these luminous pages, Imam Jamal Rahman pours the light of insight, humor and hope that brims from the heart of Islam, rendering it not only accessible, but exquisitely relevant to seekers of any faith, as well as for those who consider ourselves to be 'spiritual but not religious.' A true treasure, highly recommended."
~ Mirabai Starr, author of God of Love and Ordinary Mysticism
About the Author
Jamal Rahman, Imam, Writer, Speaker, Spiritual Advisor, is a popular speaker on Islam, Sufi spirituality, and interfaith relations. Along with his Interfaith Amigos, he has been featured in the New York Times, CBS News, BBC, and various NPR programs.
Jamal is co-founder and Muslim Sufi minister at Interfaith Community Sanctuary and adjunct faculty at Seattle University. He is a former co-host of Interfaith Talk Radio and travels nationally and internationally, presenting at retreats and workshops.
He is the author of Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mullah's Comic Teaching Stories and Other Islamic Wisdom; Spiritual Gems of Islam: Insights & Practices from the Qur'an, Hadith, Rumi & Muslim Teaching Stories to Enlighten the Heart & Mind; The Fragrance of Faith: The Enlightened Heart of Islam; and co-author of Finding Peace Through Spiritual Practice: The Interfaith Amigos Guide to Personal, Social, and Environmental Healing; Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith; Out of Darkness into Light: Spiritual Guidance in the Quran with Reflections from Jewish and Christian Sources; and Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi, and an Imam.
Jamal's latest book, The Teachers of Spiritual Wisdom: Gaining Perspective on Life’s Perplexing Questions is co-authored with Duncan S. Ferguson and Mary Petrina Boyd.
Jamal's passion lies in interfaith community building. He remains rooted in his Islamic tradition and cultivates a "spaciousness" by being open to the beauty and wisdom of other faiths. By authentically and appreciatively understanding other paths, Jamal feels that he becomes a better Muslim.
This spaciousness is not about conversion but about completion. Since 9/11 Jamal has been collaborating with Rabbi Ted Falcon and Pastor Don Mackenzie. Affectionately known as the Interfaith Amigos, they tour the country sharing the message of spiritual inclusivity. Recently, Rabbi Ted Falcon decided to retire and Rabbi Laura Kaplan has come in his place.
Imam Jamal, originally from Bangladesh, has an abiding faith in the power of heart-to-heart connections to encompass differences and dissolve prejudices. He enjoys programs that celebrate life and unity through delight, laughter, and food. He has a private spiritual counseling practice serving individuals and couples, and is available for interfaith weddings and ceremonies.
Jamal offers a variety of classes and workshops, including the popular "Blush of the Beloved," a course in spiritual deepening and discernment drawing upon the practices, insights, and wisdom within Sufism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism.
About the Hosts
Laura Duhan-Kaplan is Director of Inter-Religious Studies and Professor of Jewish Studies at the Vancouver School of Theology, and Rabbi Emerita of Or Shalom Synagogue.
She has won many awards for her teaching of religion and philosophy, including the Carnegie Foundation’s prestigious U.S. Professor of the Year.
Rabbi Laura is the author of Mouth of the Donkey: Re-Imagining Biblical Animals and Shechinah, Bring Me Home: Kabbalah and the Omer in Real Life. She has also collaboratively authored four books on interfaith topics including friendship, reconciliation, othering, and hope.
She is delighted to be part of the Interfaith Amigos, after admiring their work for many years.
When Rabbi Laura is not working or exploring spiritual practice, she’s usually volunteering at a synagogue or interfaith initiative; hiking, singing, or leading prayer services with her spouse; laughing with family; or hanging out with companion animals.
Donald Mackenzie is a minister of the United Church Christ. He is a graduate of Macalester College, Princeton Theological Seminary and holds a PhD from New York University. He has served on the faculty of Princeton Seminary and was an associate minister at Nassau Presbyterian Church before becoming Pastor of the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, a congregation of the United Church of Christ. He also served as Minister and Head of Staff at University Congregational Church in Seattle. After the tragedy of September 11, 2001, he and Rabbi Ted Falcon and Imam Jamal formed what became known as the Interfaith Amigos. After twenty years, Rabbi Ted retired in the summer of 2022 and now he and Imam Jamal are excited to welcome Rabbi Laura Kaplan to their interfaith work.
Don’s country band, Life’s Other Side, played at the Midnight Jamboree at the Grand Ol’ Opry in Nashville in January of 2005. They also recorded the soundtrack for the documentary film “Family Name.”
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