Soul of Islam Radio

After just returning from a transformative journey that took me from Afghanistan to Istanbul and then back home to Southern California, I wanted to share some reflections on what real spiritual progress looks like. My time in Istanbul coincided with the 10th of Muharram, Yawm al-Ashura—a blessed and significant day—and gave me the opportunity to visit the resting place of Grandshaykh Sultan Shaykh Nazim (qs). That short stay reminded me of the true purpose of travel—not just leisure, but seeking knowledge, truth, and illuminating companionship.



In our tradition, we are reminded not only to believe but to “be with the truthful ones.” This companionship isn’t passive—it’s immersive. Spending time with a real shaykh (guide, mentor, leader or coach) is like being in a spiritual boot camp. The focus is on action, not words. True guidance doesn’t just fill the head with knowledge but ignites transformation in the heart. It’s prayer, dhikr, night vigils, and presence. It’s learning not by listening, but by witnessing and doing.



So much of modern religious life has become intellectualized, centered on academic learning. But the prophetic way is based on companionship—being in the presence of those who live the reality of faith. Even a few days with a genuine spiritual guide can awaken something lasting within us, something that carries forward long after we part ways. While online content and recordings can inspire, nothing compares to the full presence of a living wali of Allah.



This is how our religion has been preserved: through unbroken chains of living transmission. If we want to draw closer to the Divine, we must seek out these people, these doorways, and be in their company. It may not always be convenient, but if the intention is sincere and we begin to move, Allah will guide our steps. Transformation happens in motion.



May we all be granted the ability to walk that path.



Ameen.



Chapters



00:00 | Returning HomeI reflect on arriving back in Southern California and preparing to share more content from recent travels.



01:17 | Istanbul and Yawm al-AshuraA brief stay in Istanbul aligned with the sacred 10th of Muharram, a powerful spiritual moment.



02:14 | Purposeful TravelTravel should serve spiritual growth, not just leisure, by connecting us to truth and sincere people.



03:04 | The Role of a ShaykhA real Shaykh is a living model of faith who guides through example more than words.



04:32 | Spiritual Boot CampBeing with a Shaykh involves deep spiritual practice and transformation beyond lectures.



05:26 | Facing the Divine InwardlyTrue orientation to Allah involves inward calibration of the heart, not just outward forms.



06:18 | Companionship and TransmissionTransformation comes from being with hearts aligned with the Divine, passed down through living transmission.



07:08 | The Power of PresenceNothing replaces the full presence of a wali; even brief time spent with one changes us permanently.



08:45 | Seek and Be GuidedEncouragement to seek out true spiritual guides; guidance unfolds when we move with sincere intention.

Fear is the root of nearly all suffering—conflict, war, greed, tyranny, and oppression. In this episode, I explore how fear operates both personally and collectively, veiling us from clarity and peace, and how it binds us to a life governed by survival rather than purpose. The world seems increasingly unstable, yet true safety and peace were never meant to be found in it. The illusion of control has led humanity to its current crisis of faith.



But there is another path. Faith, or iman, offers a way through the chaos. When we deepen our connection to the Divine—through prayer, meditation, dhikr, and sincere worship—we begin to transcend fear. This episode calls for a return to the core essence of Islam: peace, belief, and spiritual excellence. I discuss how faith liberates us from the tyranny of anxiety and how detaching from dunya (the material world) fosters true strength and stability.



We must remember our purpose and destination. Death, often feared most, is not an end but a passage. I share reflections on embracing mortality with peace, cultivating the heart of a spiritual warrior, and anchoring ourselves in remembrance and trust in Allah. Practical resources like the Islamic Meditation Program, Eternal Warrior Way, and Awakenings Academy can help build this foundation.



Ultimately, we are invited to turn inward, affirm our belief, and choose light over fear. Now is the time to strengthen faith, reclaim peace, and walk the path of spiritual excellence.



Chapters



00:00 | The Roots of FearFear is the ancient enemy of humanity, fueling conflict, greed, and oppression.



00:53 | Fear as a Veil Over ConsciousnessFear clouds higher thought and traps us in survival mode.



01:52 | Control is an IllusionTrue safety was never in our hands, and faith is the only real foundation.



02:46 | Islam as Peace and FaithTrue Islam is rooted in belief and spiritual excellence, not just outward forms.



03:44 | God as the Source of PeaceOnly by turning to Allah can we access unshakable peace and stability.



04:40 | Faith or Fear: A Collective ChoiceThe world reflects our collective disbelief, but we can choose differently.



05:37 | The Final Test of HumanityEverything now comes down to belief vs. unbelief on the global stage.



06:25 | The Last Stage of EgoWhat we see is the ego’s final manifestation; it's time to tune out and tune in.



07:30 | Worship and Meditation as RemediesTurning inward through worship and meditation helps us transcend fear.



08:25 | Faith in PracticeUsing affirmations and spiritual practices to reaffirm belief in divine control.



09:19 | Cultivating Strength Through FaithSpiritual and physical strength flow from divine connection and reliance.



10:22 | Making Peace with DeathEmbracing mortality frees us to live fully and with purpose.



11:17 | The Illusion of Fulfillment in the WorldNo worldly pursuit can provide lasting happiness or contentment.



13:00 | Worship as Life’s PurposeWe were created for worship, both outward and inward, with sincere hearts.



13:49 | Recommended ResourcesStructured paths to spiritual development through programs and community.



15:28 | Final Reflections and PrayerA heartfelt closing prayer for guidance, unity, and the triumph of faith.

Meditation is often overlooked within the Muslim community, yet it's foundational to truly living and embodying the faith. In this episode, I explore the essential role of meditation in Islam—not as a borrowed practice from other traditions, but as a core, intrinsic expression of surrender, which is the very meaning of Islam. I explain how meditation helps Muslims internalize surrender not just outwardly through ritual, but inwardly through presence, stillness, and peace.



I also share insights from my journey and training with spiritual masters who emphasized the inward dimension of Islam, highlighting how outer practice without inner presence leads to a lifeless faith. We often learn only the form of religion, forgetting its spirit—yet the form exists to express the soul. Meditation reconnects us with this inner essence, teaching us to surrender in the present moment and free ourselves from fear and grief by aligning with divine will.



True Islam means submitting wholly—to the outer disciplines and the inner experience of God's presence. Meditation makes this real. It’s the practice of learning to let go, of training the mind to be still, of allowing the heart to open to divine love. Through this, we begin to embody the Shahada—not just in words but in being. I also introduce a new and free Primer on Islamic Meditation masterclass, which offers practical steps to begin this transformative practice. It’s time we return to the heart of Islam: complete, conscious surrender.



Chapters



00:00 | Why Meditation Is Often Misunderstood in IslamMeditation is rarely associated with Islam, yet it's deeply foundational to it.



01:03 | My Journey Into Islamic SpiritualityI share my background and the origins of the Islamic Meditation Program.



02:35 | Defining Islam as SurrenderIslam means surrender, both outwardly and inwardly—a truth taught by all prophets.



06:13 | The Inner and Outer Dimensions of ReligionIslam must be practiced with both form and spirit; without spirituality, it is lifeless.



08:00 | Inward Surrender as True SubmissionReal faith means surrendering the heart and mind to God's will in the present moment.



10:13 | What Meditation Really IsMeditation is inward surrender—a practice of presence, trust, and freedom.



12:33 | The Friends of God and the Power of PresenceTrue surrender brings peace and removes fear and grief, as described in the Qur'an.



14:24 | Oneness, Strength, and Spiritual AnchoringMeditation allows for divine connection, spiritual power, and real independence.



15:18 | Final Reflections and Free Meditation ResourceI invite listeners to a free masterclass on Islamic meditation to help integrate this vital practice.

In this deeply enriching episode of Soul of Islam Radio, I sit down with Dr. Munir Bauer, a hypnotherapist and clinical psychology PhD candidate who has spent over a decade exploring the intersection of mental health and spirituality. Our conversation begins with his personal journey of discovering Islamic meditation, a path that started with curiosity and skepticism, and led to profound transformation—not only in his life but in the lives of many clients he's worked with.



Dr. Munir shares how his early academic exposure to Eastern meditation practices prompted him to question why Islamic traditions weren't included in the conversation. That search led him to the Islamic Program, which he practiced consistently for 40 days and found life-changing. Over time, he integrated these practices into his clinical work, observing tangible improvements in his clients' well-being, focus, and emotional resilience.



We dive into the significance of surrender, the neuroscience behind meditative and hypnotic brain states, and how these practices can help transcend the limitations of the mind and ego. Dr. Munir discusses how Islamic meditation fosters heart-based consciousness and helps both practitioners and clinicians maintain their own mental health, especially in emotionally taxing environments like psychiatric hospitals.



We also explore the common human experience of suffering and how spiritual frameworks can offer healing and resilience. Dr. Munir offers insights into brainwave patterns—beta, alpha, theta, and delta—and explains how meditation operates within the theta state to facilitate deep healing and change. He shares results from our own session together, using biofeedback tools to monitor states of peace and emotional coherence during meditation and dhikr.



This conversation affirms the transformative power of meditative practice within an Islamic context—not just as a therapeutic tool but as a spiritual path back to wholeness, peace, and connection with the Divine. Whether you're new to meditation or a long-time practitioner, this episode offers a compelling case for making it a regular part of your life.



Chapters



00:00 | Meeting Dr. Munir BauerI introduce Dr. Munir and we explore his background in hypnotherapy and clinical psychology.



05:13 | Islamic Roots of MeditationWe reflect on the overlooked tradition of meditative practice within early Islamic scholarship.



08:57 | Meditation as Surrender and SustenanceDr. Munir describes meditation as surrender to God and a means of emotional renewal in clinical work.



15:39 | Mental Health and Ego TranscendenceWe discuss how dysfunction is often rooted in the mind and how meditation facilitates heart-based consciousness.



20:11 | Trauma, Stories, and the MindWe explore how suffering stems from our inner narratives and how Islam helps contextualize pain.



23:25 | Intelligence, Rationalization, and ResistanceDr. Munir shares clinical observations about the challenge of working with highly intellectual clients.



28:49 | Hypnosis, Brainwaves, and Healing StatesA deep dive into the science of meditation, theta states, and how Dr. Munir uses hypnosis in therapy.



34:09 | Real-Time Biofeedback ExperimentI share my experience being monitored during meditation, with remarkable physiological data.



40:36 | Personal Healing JourneyI reflect on my anxious childhood and how meditation became a path to inner peace.



44:21 | Growth Through HardshipWe examine how trauma, when approached spiritually, can become a catalyst for growth and transformation.



51:48 | The Healing Journey as a Path to GodWe conclude by emphasizing the centrality of healing in strengthening our connection to the Divine.

Over the years, I've had the blessing of keeping company with my dear friend and brother Jamil Popatia, and our most recent trip to Morocco, became the foundation for this deeply personal and necessary conversation on spiritual brotherhood. What began as a travel experience unfolded into a profound reminder of the power of companionship, the blessings of shared intentions, and the sacredness found in the ordinary moments of daily life—walking, eating, praying, and simply being present with one another.



In this episode, we reflect on what it means to travel with the intention of deepening brotherhood and how environments rooted in faith amplify this purpose. From the simplicity of communal prayer to navigating cultural nuances and even humorous hardships, our shared experiences underscored that true connection doesn’t require perfection—only presence and sincerity.



We also explore how spiritual companionship isn’t limited to the living. Visiting the tombs of revered spiritual masters like Imam Jazuli (ra) and Shaykh Ahmad Tijani (qs) reminded us that brotherhood can extend through time, connecting hearts beyond the veil of the physical world. We speak about the dangers of isolation, especially for men, and how prioritizing regular, intentional gatherings—whether close to home or across the globe—can uplift and fortify us. This is a call to remember that we are not meant to carry life alone. May we all find strength in good company and the courage to seek it.



About Jamil Popatia



Jamil Popatia is a certified NVC (Non-Violent Communication) coach, trainer and counselor. You can learn more about him at his website, Dignified Dialogue.



Chapters



00:00 | Introducing Brotherhood and the Morocco JourneyWe begin with reflections on our recent trip and the deeper intention of brotherhood.



02:18 | Traveling to Strengthen BondsJamil shares how shared travel experiences forge intimate and lasting connections.



05:04 | Faith, Environments, and Cultural ContrastsDiscussing the spiritual richness of Morocco despite everyday hardships.



10:24 | The Unifying Force of FaithWe explore how Islam transcends barriers, fostering instant brotherhood worldwide.



14:35 | Companionship with the Living and the DepartedHonoring saints and seeking their barakah brings another dimension to brotherhood.



19:10 | Relaxation as a Manifestation of FaithSurrendering to God's will and finding peace even amid chaos.



24:32 | Prioritizing Brotherhood IntentionallyWhy we must make space in our lives for consistent male companionship.



30:15 | Brotherhood as a Space for HealingBeing vulnerable and sharing burdens strengthens relationships and emotional well-being.



37:40 | Shared Struggles Become Laughter in Good CompanyTravel anecdotes show how hardships are softened when shared with a brother.



44:25 | The Power of Presence in Traditional SocietiesReflections on the awareness, generosity, and social intelligence witnessed abroad.



46:08 | The Danger of Isolation and the Gift of ConnectionWe emphasize the psychological and spiritual need for community.



51:43 | A Vision for the Future of Brotherhood GatheringsPlanting seeds for future retreats and shared intentions for ongoing connection.



55:46 | Rebalancing Life with Intentional FraternityWhy healthy male bonding strengthens families and our spiritual states.



58:02 | Returning to Spontaneous ConnectionA heartfelt call to revive the spirit of unplanned visits and meaningful connection.