On this week's episode, guest Zahir Orest, shares personal insights, highlighting the joy in being fully immersed in the moment and the cultural nuances that shape our self-perception. Zahir helps unpack a fascinating anecdote about the Dalai Lama's astonishment at the Western inclination towards self-criticism, contrasted with Tibetan perspectives that are much more forgiving. Our exploration is enriched with the metaphor of creating a trail in meditation, emphasizing how consistency and compassion can help ease the journey toward mindfulness.
Our discussion also touches on how historical teachings, such as those from Sufi traditions, can be beautifully woven into modern life to enrich our spiritual journeys. We advocate for approachable, short meditation practices, revealing how even one-minute sessions can significantly enhance mindfulness. The episode journeys through spiritual exploration, showcasing how diverse practices, from Zen macrobiotics to Sufism, can transform our experiences and foster community connections. Through shared spiritual practices, we discover the profound ripple effect that personal mindfulness can have on our broader interactions, reinforcing the idea that spirituality is best shared and can greatly influence our collective lives.
Guest Bio: Zahir Orest was born in London England to Ukrainian refugees from the genocidal devastation of Ukraine by the Russians and the Germans before and during World War II. Drawn deeply to spirituality, he wandered into many different houses of worship from African-American churches, Jewish synagogues, Roman Catholic and evangelical churches, etc. Many of his childhood friends were drawn to Islam through the Nation of Islam. Through his college years, he worked in various recording studios as an apprentice engineer. This also was influential as there was a deep cultural/artistic shift evolving in culture.
He began serious study in the Ruhaniat, which being a universal path, amplified my childhood tendencies of studying/exploring in various traditions. On his way to becoming a senior teacher in the Ruhaniat, he studied in various Sufi orders (including those more traditional Islamic-based), Tibetan Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, contemporary African-American Islam, Judiasm, yoga, and mystical Christianity. Pilgrimages included visiting holy sites of Sufis (Chistiyya & Inayyati Sufis) in India and extensive travels in Turkey meeting, praying and studying with Sufi orders there: Mevlevi (whirling dervishes), Qadiriyya (howling dervishes), Naqshibandiyya, Helveti-Jerrahi, etc.) Currently, Zahir is a somewhat retired as a traveling senior Sufi teacher, and hosts a weekly Zen-flavored meditation gathering 7 PM Wednesday evenings at Two Birds studio in Grand Marais.