Talking Sufism and the Enneagram with Abdul Hayy L. Holdijk

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Sikora, María José Munita, Seth "Creek" Creekmore speak with Abdul Hayy L. Holdijk, a Sufi shaykh, scholar, professor and teacher of alternative medicine. Abdul talks about his journey with Sufism and the Enneagram. He discusses what drew him to this religious tradition, but how there are certain aspects of the practices that are not covered by the Enneagram. He also shares how his Enneagram type shapes his worldview.

“I’m trying to just reflect back, just to make sure I’m understanding how you’re describing this. So I’m a musician. Is it something along the lines of in order to play in the band and create the magic that is music, you kind of have to know all this rigid theory and structure of chords, of rhythm, of subdivision and all these other sort of things? And that’s required in order for the thing to happen.” -Creek [13:46]

“What you have described applies to several, if not all, religions, how is Sufism different? Or what are the key things that distinguish Sufism from other religions?” -María José [15:50]

“The moral is that you can’t see yourself. You can’t see how you are stuck. And it needs someone who has less ego than you to be able to say, Listen. Either you need a kick in the pants or you need something to push you.” -Abdul [30:07]

“We all bring this lens that we have that shapes even the best and highest of us.” -Mario [39:38]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01] Intro

[00:19] This week’s guest

[02:12] Abdul’s journey with Sufism and the Enneagram

[10:32] What is Sufism

[19:49] Learning Arabic

[24:39] Recognizing your teacher

[30:27] Enneagram comes from Sufism?

[36:18] How his Enneagram type shapes his worldview

[41:09] Managing conflict with faith and reason

[49:07] Grow, flow, glow