What if a 1,400-year-old practice could dissolve your ego, eliminate worry, and help you see enemies as brothers and sisters?
This week on Pod of Inquiry, I sit down with Salima Adelstein to explore the life-changing ancient path & spiritual the science of Sufism — and why it might be the missing pillar in your health and longevity toolkit.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• The Three Voices Technique – How to tell apart ego, divine guidance, and outside programming
• Sacred Sound Science – Vibrations that activate your vagus nerve and rewire your nervous system
• The Prison Experiment – Why Sufi forgiveness practices succeeded where traditional therapy failed
• “Die Before You Die” – A path to transcendence while fully alive
We all know the four pillars of health: sleep, nutrition, exercise, and spirituality. But spirituality is often the hardest to master. Sufism offers practical tools for dissolving fear, transcending ego, and experiencing deeper peace.
Whether you’re religious, spiritual, or simply curious about consciousness, this episode will expand your perspective on what’s possible.
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Guest Biography
Salima Adelstein
Salima Adelstein, M.Ed., D.D., is a Sufi Spiritual Guide, Master Healer, and Co-President of the University of Sufism. Named as the only female spiritual guide in the U.S. in the Shadhiliyya Sufi tradition, she has spent over 35 years helping over 40,000 individuals heal from illness and lifelong emotional pain. Founder of the Farm of Peace retreat center and co-author of A Drop in the Ocean of Love, she offers seminars nationally and internationally where she loves to help people with the healing that comes from embodying the deep truth of their beauty and essence. Salima has spoken around the world at gatherings such as the Parliament of the World Religions, American Holistic Medical Association, Shadhiliyya Sufi Schools, and the Goi Peace Symphony of Prayers on topics including peace, healing, and spirituality.
Show Notes from this episode
Opening & Introduction (00:00 – 01:58)
- 00:00: Host Dr. Stephen Barrett introduces guest Salima Adelstein and the topic of Sufism
- 00:12: Discussion of the four pillars of longevity and biohacking: sleep, nutrition, exercise, and spirituality
- 01:58: Host admits knowing “almost zero” about Sufism, setting up the educational nature of the conversation
What is Sufism? (01:58 – 05:00)
- 01:58: Salima begins explaining Sufism as “a path of love” and “path of attraction”
- 02:30: Description of heart purification through divine qualities (love, peace, mercy, compassion, wisdom)
- 03:15: Sufism as a journey into “higher consciousness” and connection with God
- 04:15: Discussion of when Sufism started – two perspectives presented
Origins and Religious Context (05:00 – 09:14)
- 05:00: Sufism’s origins debated – either from Adam (first man) or as mystical path of Islam during Mohammed’s time
- 06:30: Comparison to other mystical traditions: Kabbalah (Judaism), Christian contemplatives
- 07:37: Clarification that one can practice Sufism without being Muslim
- 08:30: Salima’s personal introduction to Sufism through a Muslim Sheikh
- 09:14: Experiential vs. intellectual knowledge in Sufism
The Concept of Fana (Ego Annihilation) (09:14 – 16:58)
- 09:18: Introduction of “Fana” – annihilation of the ego
- 10:35: Comparison to psychedelic ego dissolution experiences
- 11:01: Step-by-step process of ego dissolution through awareness
- 12:09: Three voices concept: ego, divine voice, and outside voices
- 14:01: Love as the mechanism for ego dissolution
- 16:58: “Die before you die” – experiencing spiritual death while alive
Personal Transformation Stories (16:58 – 25:00)
- 18:02: Discussion of ego dissolution with age and individual variation
- 20:00: Salima’s 25 years in Transcendental Meditation background
- 20:44: Difference between TM and Sufism – heart involvement
- 22:27: Personal story about overcoming fear of Palestinians in East Jerusalem
- 23:43: Ego’s willingness to “trade up” for something better
- 25:00: Acceptance of human imperfection and mistakes
Cultural and Religious Bridges (25:00 – 28:25)
- 25:21: Discussion of Jewish-Islamic tensions and personal breakthrough
- 26:45: First meeting with Muslim Sheikh – paradigm-shattering experience
- 27:59: Love overcoming cultural and religious barriers
- 28:15: Deep longing for peace and understanding of world polarities
Sufi Practices and Consciousness (28:25 – 35:00)
- 28:25: Introduction to consciousness-altering practices in Sufism
- 30:00: Sacred sound and vibration as tools for consciousness elevation
- 32:00: “Wird” practice – the source of the watering hole
- 33:02: Breath work and the sound “Ah” for opening the heart
- 33:30: Physiological effects of sound on vagal nerve and stress response
- 35:00: Scientific validation of spiritual practices
Practical Applications (35:00 – 40:00)
- 35:00: Story of forgiveness practice in women’s prison
- 36:51: Comparison to opera music and language resonance
- 37:31: Introduction to Sufi University
- 38:05: Description of degree programs and healing services
- 39:39: Foundation classes and community support
University Programs and Offerings (40:00 – 42:30)
- 40:05: “5 C’s of Sufism” free program introduction
- 40:15: Five C’s: Consciousness, Connection, Clarity, Communication, Commitment
- 41:40: Integration of Sufism with all four longevity pillars
- 42:30: Closing remarks and appreciation
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