Episode 37: The Mystical Joy of Judaism and Love in Sufism w/Netanel Miles-Yépez

“The Ego is driving the car when you are not paying attention.”

-Netanel Miles-Yépez

Netanel Miles-Yépez is a teacher of religion and Pir of the Inayati-Maimuni lineage of Sufism, co-founded with his teacher, Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, fusing the Sufi and Hasidic principles of spirituality and practice espoused by Rabbi Avraham Maimuni in 13th-century Egypt with the teachings of the Ba’al Shem Tov and Hazrat Inayat Khan.

Miles-Yépez is the translator of My Love Stands Behind a Wall: A Translation of the Songs of Songs and Other Poems (2015), and co-author of A Heart Afire: Stories and Teachings of the Early Hasidic Masters (2009).

Netanel is currently a professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Naropa University.

In my conversation with Netanel we discussed:

• The difference between a regular dinner party and a “sacred gathering”, and how the power of intentionality could make or break the gathering.

• Spiritual Eldering and the need for realignment and reassessment of one’s goals based on where they now find themselves in their life.

• The Hasidic drive towards joy – VS – the Sufi imperative for romantic love.

Netanel with his teacher and mentor Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi

For a book on the subject of Jewish mysticism recommended by Netanel, be sure to check out:

• “Your Word Is Fire: The Hasidic Masters on Contemplative Prayer” by Arthur Green

To watch the promo for the “Heart Fire” Music Festival where Netanel will be teaching, click on the video below! For more information about the festival and the many other great teachers, click here.

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