Esoteric Thoughts

This is the first episode of season 2 on Esoteric Thoughts.It brings me great pleasure to start this season with an interview of Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar.Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar has a BA in History from Chatham College in Pennsylvania, an MA in Philosophy, an MA in Counseling Psychology and a Ph.D. in Educational Foundations. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor.​Dr. Bakhtiar has been practicing Islam for over 30 years under her teacher, Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr. She is author of many books on Islamic unity, architecture, psychology, psychoethics, and moral healing through the Enneagram and the 99 Most Beautiful Names of God. Dr. Bakhtiar has translated over 30 books on Islam and Islamic beliefs into English, and has lectured extensively in both religious and academic institutions. Her vocation as a practicing Muslim, psychologist, book publisher and editor and scholar gives her an indispensable role in the Muslim community.Thanks to Kazi Publications & Liaquat Ali for graciously opening its doors to host me.Please visit these links to connect and Support Dr. Bahktiar.www.bakhtiar.orgwww.sublimequran.comwww.sufienneagram.comhttps://www.amazon.com/Laleh-Bakhtiar/e/B001K7RCPS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=laleh+bakhtiarWant to connect? Reach out to is@ibrahimsharkas.com or on Instagram 

Is Will all it truly takes?Today we explore the concept of "Willingness" and what it plays within our daily lives.We dive deep through a tale that expedites our journey to understand the cost of relying on will alone.On a personal note, thank you to each and everyone of you for reaching out to me directly via email and instagram.Your messages are what keeps me going and provide a broader insight of how these episodes are adding value in your lives.I deeply appreciate you all.If you need my support feel free to reach out.To visit my website & read more information about me. Visit www.ibrahimsharkas.comI'd love to connect with you on Instagram. Let's chat hereWant to purchase my 1st book? Purchase it here

Ayahuasca.Psilocybin.Entheogenic Medicine is on the rise.We have clinics conducting research for mental health and non-profit organizations advocating for full on legalization of this magical properties.But what gives?In this episode we take a deep dive into seeing if this is the only way to a path of healing and inner development.Feel free to visit my website to read more information about me. Visit www.ibrahimsharkas.comI'd love to connect with you on Instagram. Let's chat hereWant to purchase my 1st book? Purchase it here

Good things happen when East meets West.Both approaches seek to ease pain and improve function but why can't they meet already.In this episode we discuss the topics of bridge building between eastern & western medicine.I also share a piece from Thomas Cowan M.D. "The Fourfold Path To Healing". The Fourfold Path to Healing merges the wisdom of traditional societies, the most modern findings of western medicine and the esoteric teaching of the ancients. The fourfold approach includes: Nutrition using nutrient-dense traditional foods; therapeutics through a wide range of nontoxic remedies; Movement to heal and strengthen the emotions; and meditation to develop your powers of objective thought. If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and leave us a rating. It truly helps prolong this work of ours.Feel free to visit my website to read more information about me. Visit www.ibrahimsharkas.comI'd love to connect with you on Instagram. Let's chat hereWant to purchase my 1st book? Purchase it here

Can we find modalities of the past to fix our modern day depression?Full Article On MediumToday we examine thoughts from the late psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli and dive deep into thoughts based out of his work Psychosynthesis.I also share 3 tips that shook me out of a depression that stem from the work of true self examination and developing the skill to listen to inner guidance.I'm an advocate for mental health. If you are experiencing depression or darker thoughts, please reach out to mental health professional. If you're interested in exploring this type of therapeutic modality but not certain where to find a practitioner, please reach out to me via email    is@ibrahimsharkas.comFeel free to visit my website to read more information about me. Visit www.ibrahimsharkas.comI'd love to connect with you on Instagram. Let's chat here.Want to purchase my 1st book? Purchase it here.

Can Early Traumatic Experiences Catch Up To Us...Even If We've Forgotten Them?We dive deep into a therapeutic healing modality used by many in the 1970's (Singer Song Writer John Lennon and actor James Earl Jones were advocates).Known as Primal Therapy, pioneered by Arthur Janov, an American psychologist, psychotherapist, and writer, as a tool to explore trauma that express as Pain.I'm an advocate for mental health. If you are experiencing depression or darker thoughts, please reach out to mental health professional. If you're interested in exploring this type of therapeutic modality but not certain where to find a practitioner, please reach out to me via email    is@ibrahimsharkas.comFeel free to visit my website to read more information about me. Visit www.ibrahimsharkas.comI'd love to connect with you on Instagram. Let's chat here.Want to purchase my 1st book? Purchase it here.

Do Our Sacred Beliefs Lead Us To Freedom Or Slavery?Today we explore a topic found by the teachings of G. I. Gurdjieff.It's based on Aphorisms held near and dear to the hearts of the School.The Aphorism states "conscious faith is freedom - emotional faith is slavery - mechanical faith is foolishness."We dive deep on this episode of how our beliefs mixed with awareness play out within our lives.If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe as I'll be uploading episodes every week.Feel free to visit my website to read more information about me. Visit www.ibrahimsharkas.comWant to purchase my 1st book? Purchase it here.

Can global unity occur while time-based prophecies keep us from living? Can we integrate both?Today we discuss unity and a brief story of Mulla Nasreddin.We also discuss our behaviors. Our behavior is elicited, not emitted, and what happens to us occurs entirely because of external influences and the "accidental" association of conditioning history.We have no capacity to do, no "free-will" - in fact, no functions of will at all.Attractions & aversions, tendencies to approach or avoid whatever stimuli impinge on a person act as invisible strings that animate the marionette that he or she is.If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe as I'll be uploading episodes every week.Feel free to visit my website to read more information about me. Visit www.ibrahimsharkas.comWant to purchase my 1st book? Purchase it here.

Can you experience a Higher Dimensional State without having a sturdy foundation?We've known experts in the field of psychology and studied philosophers long "gone" stating that the base must be healed/built first to grow.Another question that occurred was the birth of Essence and how it compares to our personality in this growth dynamic.If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe as I'll be uploading episodes every week.Feel free to visit my website to read more information about me. Visit www.ibrahimsharkas.com

"Selfless service and love are twin divine qualities. Only the one who loves can serve." (Meher Baba)Initiation is a far out concept for some.People view this term attached to secretive orders only uttered by authors throughout time but I see it through another lens. If initiation is the Car, Service is the key and Humanity is the engine. What have you done to allow service to flow through you?If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe as I'll be uploading episodes every week.Feel free to visit my website to read more information about me. Visit www.ibrahimsharkas.com

Do All Roses Have Thorns? My name is Ibrahim Sharkas and it's truly a pleasure to bring you the first episode of Esoteric Thoughts, bridging healing, concepts, and beliefs.The concept of this episode stems from...stems. From subjectivity to selective learning, how can we as humanity move forward rather than remain stuck.If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe as I'll be uploading episodes every week.Feel free to visit my website to read more information about me. Visit www.ibrahimsharkas.com