Ep 90 - Choose Your Own Adventure in Sacred Texts and Poetry with Kazim Ali

“It's important for each person to find their own way of connecting beyond our current reality.” - Kazim Ali

Welcome to another episode of Spiritual Grit Podcast!

In today's episode, I have a very special guest, Kazim Ali! Kazim was born in the United Kingdom and has lived transnationally in the United States, Canada, India, France, and the Middle East. His books encompass multiple genres and he is also an accomplished translator of Marguerite Duras, Sohrab Sepehri, Ananda Devi, Mahmoud Chokrollahi and others, and an editor of several anthologies and books of criticism. In this conversation, we talked about how books including the bible were being translated differently, depending on the agenda of those in power since access to sacred texts were usually controlled by the authority. Ultimately, it is our personal conversation with sacred text that guides us through life… a kind of choose-your-own-adventure journey. Speaking of which, Kazim also talks about what inspired him to write his newest book, The Citadel of Whisperers, an actual choose-your-own-adventure book!

Listen in on Leslieann and Kazim’s chat about a wide range of topics, including the importance of our conversation with texts, sacred or otherwise.

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Follow me on Instagram for Maverick Mondays, Free Verse Fridays, and some real talk about healing, poetry, AND play: @leslieannhobayan or email me at leslieann@suryagian.com

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Today’s poems/ Books mentioned:

• “Burglars Hears Watchdogs” by Hafiz
• “Recite” by Kazim Ali

Membership(s)/Retreat(s) Mentioned:

• Joyful Meditation : https://suryagian.com/joyful-meditation