In the Moment with Mamoon

1. Wait… did I just marry the wrong guy?!

   16 juillet 20269 minSaison 5 · Épisode 160À suivre

   QUESTION: Salaam, I have a question regarding this 'optimal spouse' thing. Can an optimal spouse be one that brings you closer to Allah through the difficulties you have to deal with due to them? As a reult of …

   Notes de l’épisode

   QUESTION:

   Salaam, I have a question regarding this 'optimal spouse' thing. Can an optimal spouse be one that brings you closer to Allah through the difficulties you have to deal with due to them? As a reult of there behaviour/character? Or is it only if you are content with them and everything more or less 'clicks'? What is the interpretation of an 'optimal spouse'?

   ANSWER:

   For context, the sister asking this question has been married for decades and has a good number of children - some fully grown and some still young.

2. Smash the idols in your mind

   14 juillet 20266 minSaison 5 · Épisode 159À suivre

   The Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings upon him) was not concerned with his followers falling for literal idolatry. The Oneness of Allah just makes far too much sense and it's unthinkable that anyone who …

   Notes de l’épisode

   The Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings upon him) was not concerned with his followers falling for literal idolatry.

   The Oneness of Allah just makes far too much sense and it's unthinkable that anyone who believes in the Quran would literally start intentionally worshipping something else.

   However, subtle forms of idolatry, like showing off (i.e. valuing what other people think more than Allah) and other diseases of the heart can be devastating to the soul.

   Perhaps one of the most subtle forms is what I call, "Psychological Idolatry".

3. Why most people never 'get' The Psychological Switch…

   10 juillet 20265 minSaison 5 · Épisode 158À suivre

   There is one insight that I've been blessed to discover and that I've introduced thousands of people to, that has perhaps made the biggest impact on my personal life. I call it, "The Psychological Switch", and …

   Notes de l’épisode

   There is one insight that I've been blessed to discover and that I've introduced thousands of people to, that has perhaps made the biggest impact on my personal life.

   I call it, "The Psychological Switch", and when you discover it for yourself, you'll find yourself experiencing much, much more:

   Inner freedom, presence, peace, joy, happiness, courage, attractiveness and confidence.

4. What causes mental clutter? (And how do we clear it up)?

   9 juillet 20265 minSaison 5 · Épisode 157À suivre

   The goal for the believing Muslim is to purify our hearts. The way to do that is by clearing from our minds any thoughts of anything but Allah, the Transcendent. In other words, we want to be in a constant …

   Notes de l’épisode

   The goal for the believing Muslim is to purify our hearts.

   The way to do that is by clearing from our minds any thoughts of anything but Allah, the Transcendent.

   In other words, we want to be in a constant state of mindfulness of Allah - aka. "Zikr Allah".

5. Is It Really Possible To Master Your Nafs...?

   8 juillet 20268 minSaison 5 · Épisode 155À suivre

   After over 15 years of full-time coaching with people from all walks of life to overcome all kinds of challenges that the nafs presents - in their professional, personal and spiritual lives - I can safely say …

   Notes de l’épisode

   After over 15 years of full-time coaching with people from all walks of life to overcome all kinds of challenges that the nafs presents - in their professional, personal and spiritual lives - I can safely say, the answer is a resounding... "YES!" Clients who had life-long patterns of self-sabotage, or seemingly irreconcilable marital issues - completely dissolved them. Forever. All thanks to spontaneously and permanently dropping ego-patterns. (In fact, you can check out a few of their testimonials on the page linked below).

   It turns out that there are a handful of specific teachings, methods, insights and techniques that work for everyone and that make a HUGE difference in the 'battle' against the ego.

6. 21 years of terrorism-induced Islamophobia and counting…

   7 juillet 202616 minSaison 5 · Épisode 155À suivre

   Today marks the 21st anniversary of 56 totally innocent Londoners being killed for absolutely no logical reason, by 4 misguided and frankly, really, really bad Muslims, who detonated bombs in 3 underground …

   Notes de l’épisode

   Today marks the 21st anniversary of 56 totally innocent Londoners being killed for absolutely no logical reason, by 4 misguided and frankly, really, really bad Muslims, who detonated bombs in 3 underground tubes and one double decker bus.

   I say 'really bad' Muslims, because you don't need to be a genius or a saint to read the Quran and realise that killing innocent people will lead you into Hell… NOT Heaven.

   52 people of 18 nationalities were killed and nearly 800 were injured in the attacks. Plus the 4 attackers who committed suicide as part of the attack.

   Take a moment to let that sink in.

7. How The Nafs Sabotages Your Success (and what to do about it)

   6 juillet 20268 minSaison 5 · Épisode 152À suivre

   Most of us are walking around all day long, tuned in to Radio Station NST (Non-Stop Thinking). We're constantly playing a soundtrack and watching mind-movies in our heads. Some of these mind-movies and …

   Notes de l’épisode

   Most of us are walking around all day long, tuned in to Radio Station NST (Non-Stop Thinking). We're constantly playing a soundtrack and watching mind-movies in our heads. Some of these mind-movies and day-dreams seem innocent enough… but they often turn dark and soon become nightmares that fill us with anxiety, worry, sadness, anger, guilt and other forms of negativity. Trying to out-work, out-pray or out-recite your nafs-based thinking is a losing battle, because your nafs is right there with you as you do those activities - trying to sabotage and distract you at every turn.

8. Why it's so hard to stay present

   12 juin 202610 minSaison 5 · Épisode 151À suivre

   Question: I've been practicing the presence techniques you teach, but I'm only able to stay in that state for a few seconds. Maybe for a minute if I try really hard. How can I stay present for longer? The …

   Notes de l’épisode

   Question:

   I've been practicing the presence techniques you teach, but I'm only able to stay in that state for a few seconds. Maybe for a minute if I try really hard. How can I stay present for longer?

   The so-called "techniques" I teach to become present are simply doorways or portals into a profoundly deep spiritual state.

   There are two main reasons that explain why our minds are so noisy that it seems hard to stay in this beautiful state of "Thoughtless Awareness".

9. 101 mindset techniques that don't work when you need them

   11 juin 20267 minSaison 5 · Épisode 152À suivre

   There are a lot of mindset techniques that you can learn that are designed to help you feel better when you're feeling bad. What they all have in common is that they involve changing your thinking when you feel …

   Notes de l’épisode

   There are a lot of mindset techniques that you can learn that are designed to help you feel better when you're feeling bad.

   What they all have in common is that they involve changing your thinking when you feel bad.

   Obviously, a negative feeling comes directly from negative thinking, and if you change the way you think, you'll automatically change the way you feel.

10. The only 2 approaches that relieve emotional pain

    10 juin 20269 minSaison 5 · Épisode 151À suivre

    As someone who became obsessed with personal development in my late teens and early twenties, I came across a lot of techniques on how to clear up or change negative thinking and feeling. I learned about …

    Notes de l’épisode

    As someone who became obsessed with personal development in my late teens and early twenties, I came across a lot of techniques on how to clear up or change negative thinking and feeling.

    I learned about:

    • neuro-linguistic programming

    • neuro-associative conditioning

    • Gestalt therapy

    • family systems therapy

    • Logo-therapy

    • Cognitive behavioral therapy

    • and many, many more modalities

11. Why We All Need The Inner Salam Method

    9 juin 202612 minSaison 5 · Épisode 150À suivre

    One of the most powerful methods I've ever learnt (and now teach all of my coaching clients), which makes the biggest difference for everyone is… "The Inner Salam Method". The Inner Salam Method is a way of …

    Notes de l’épisode

    One of the most powerful methods I've ever learnt (and now teach all of my coaching clients), which makes the biggest difference for everyone is…

    "The Inner Salam Method".

    The Inner Salam Method is a way of channeling your presence and awareness into a negative feeling, no matter how intense it is, as it arises. Within a few minutes, the feeling has literally completely disappeared.

12. The "Shields Up" Method

    8 juin 20268 minSaison 5 · Épisode 149À suivre

    As soon as clients start getting good at becoming instantly present at will and at using the "Inner Salam Method", some variation of the following question almost always comes up: "I can't seem to stay present …

    Notes de l’épisode

    As soon as clients start getting good at becoming instantly present at will and at using the "Inner Salam Method", some variation of the following question almost always comes up:

    "I can't seem to stay present when [insert mean relative's name] is in the room and starts saying things like [insert mean comment]..."

    And that should come as no surprise.

    Now, the simplest solution to this is obviously logistical. If there's a mean person around, it's usually a good idea to be somewhere else and not interact with them at all.

13. How to eliminate emotional outbursts

    5 juin 20269 minSaison 5 · Épisode 147À suivre

    Have you ever lashed out at someone when you're angry? Or shouted at the kids or other people when you're really upset? Here's a way you can deal with these situations more elegantly in future… Let me start by …

    Notes de l’épisode

    Have you ever lashed out at someone when you're angry?

    Or shouted at the kids or other people when you're really upset?

    Here's a way you can deal with these situations more elegantly in future…

    Let me start by saying not all emotional outbursts are "bad" or "wrong" or need to be eliminated. Sometimes the most heart-felt truths come out in moments of intense emotion.

    Plus, there's nothing intrinsically wrong with any feeling.

14. Like tryna' fight The Terminator…

    4 juin 20267 minSaison 5 · Épisode 147À suivre

    There's a classic scene from one of the best movies of all time. In "The Terminator" (the original one), Kyle Reese, who was sent back in time to protect Sarah Connor, has a little dialogue with her where he's …

    Notes de l’épisode

    There's a classic scene from one of the best movies of all time.

    In "The Terminator" (the original one), Kyle Reese, who was sent back in time to protect Sarah Connor, has a little dialogue with her where he's trying to explain the gravity of the threat and danger she's in.

    Kyle Reese: "Listen, and understand! That Terminator is out there! It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop... ever, until you are dead!"

    Sarah Connor: "Can you stop it?"

15. The 3 levels of the nafs (according to Mamoon)

    3 juin 202610 minSaison 5 · Épisode 146À suivre

    There are a few different ways you can define and compare the different types and levels of the Nafs. I prefer to keep things super simple and relatable. Here is how I break down the three levels of the nafs as …

    Notes de l’épisode

    There are a few different ways you can define and compare the different types and levels of the Nafs.

    I prefer to keep things super simple and relatable.

    Here is how I break down the three levels of the nafs as inspired and defined by Quranic terminology.

16. How to deal with "waswasa"

    2 juin 20268 minSaison 5 · Épisode 145À suivre

    Waswasa has to be one of my all-time favourite Arabic words. Because it sounds exactly like what it is. It's a demonic, satanic "whisper". We are taught in the Islamic tradition that not all of your thoughts …

    Notes de l’épisode

    Waswasa has to be one of my all-time favourite Arabic words. Because it sounds exactly like what it is. It's a demonic, satanic "whisper".

    We are taught in the Islamic tradition that not all of your thoughts are your own. In fact, there are four sources of thoughts:

    1. Rabbani (Divine) - those thoughts that Allah blesses you with - where you feel suddenly compelled to do something good

    2. Malakani (Angelic) - these are beautiful, angelic inspirations. I believe all writers and artists completely depend on these.

    3. Shaytani (Satanic) - these are demonic suggestions, or 'waswasa'. ie. Really bad thoughts about doing really bad things.

    4. Nafsani (Egoic) - these are compulsive thoughts that come from your own ego.

17. How to hit 'pause' on your Nafs

    1 juin 20266 minSaison 5 · Épisode 144À suivre

    Tomorrow, I'm going to be teaching the first Nafs Mastery Session. But it's okay, please relax... You don't need to panic! There's still plenty of time for you to sign up if you want to attend the session live …

    Notes de l’épisode

    Tomorrow, I'm going to be teaching the first Nafs Mastery Session.

    But it's okay, please relax... You don't need to panic!

    There's still plenty of time for you to sign up if you want to attend the session live ;O)

    The theme of tomorrow's session is "The 7 Portals into Presence".

18. Are you any closer to Allah today, than yesterday…?

    23 mai 20265 minSaison 5À suivre

    One of the biggest problems with the spiritual path, and with self-improvement in general is that it's really hard to measure your level of progress. How do you know if you're actually any closer to Allah than …

    Notes de l’épisode

    One of the biggest problems with the spiritual path, and with self-improvement in general is that it's really hard to measure your level of progress.

    How do you know if you're actually any closer to Allah than you were yesterday?

    We usually try to judge it by our behaviour… and then pretty soon end up either beating ourselves up or feeling superior to others (...aaaand the nafs wins again!)

    That's why I've created a super-easy Nafs Mastery Assessment. It's not perfect, but it asks you questions that you probably hadn't thought of that gives an indication as to how much your ego/ nafs is running your life, without you being aware of it.

    www.mamoonyusaf.com/nafs

19. Why Russel Brand should've become Muslim instead

    22 mai 20266 minSaison 5 · Épisode 142À suivre

    A couple of weeks ago, to Piers Morgan's delight, a clip of him interviewing Russel Brand went viral. Because it was hilarious. The poor guy seems to be experiencing the 'new convert energy' syndrome, where …

    Notes de l’épisode

    A couple of weeks ago, to Piers Morgan's delight, a clip of him interviewing Russel Brand went viral.

    Because it was hilarious.

    The poor guy seems to be experiencing the 'new convert energy' syndrome, where he's super enthusiastic about his new found (Christian) faith, but also a little insecure and eagerly wanting to share the word of God with the people.

    He brought his copy of the Bible with him to the interview and Piers asked him if he'd like to share the verse he was reflecting on while in court.

    Brand eagerly reached for the Bible and started flicking through pages, searching for the verse he wanted to share.

20. The secret to mastering the nafs

    21 mai 20264 minSaison 5 · Épisode 141À suivre

    After over 15 years of coaching, I'm going to let you in on a secret. There is something that happens in almost every single coaching session, at the moment the client has a breakthrough: They drop their nafs …

    Notes de l’épisode

    After over 15 years of coaching, I'm going to let you in on a secret.

    There is something that happens in almost every single coaching session, at the moment the client has a breakthrough:

    They drop their nafs.

    For real.

    "Insight is when the ego collapses over a particular subject", as mentioned in the book, 'Inside the Soul of Islam'.

    What does that look like in real-life?

21. Why Nafs Mastery is better than therapy

    1 mai 20262 minSaison 5 · Épisode 140À suivre

    Therapy and coaching can be useful tools for self-improvement. However, the biggest challenge with them is the fact that most people - especially the ones who need it the most - will never do it. And this is …

    Notes de l’épisode

    Therapy and coaching can be useful tools for self-improvement. However, the biggest challenge with them is the fact that most people - especially the ones who need it the most - will never do it.

    And this is not entirely without reason.

    There is a lot of distrust of psycho-therapists, particularly those trained only in western Freudian models of the mind, devoid of religion, spirituality and sometimes even common sense.

    Besides, if this therapy 'service' was not needed for thousands of years, why is it suddenly so fashionable now?

22. How to become a Spiritual Warrior

    30 avril 20264 minSaison 5 · Épisode 139À suivre

    There are 2 types of people in this world: Spiritual Warriors and "Normies". "Normies" are normal people. There's nothing wrong with being a "normie". Most people are. They do fine. They go through mental and …

    Notes de l’épisode

    There are 2 types of people in this world:

    Spiritual Warriors and "Normies".

    "Normies" are normal people.

    There's nothing wrong with being a "normie". Most people are. They do fine. They go through mental and emotional suffering - much of it needless. They get freaked out when 'big things' happen in their lives and in the world. They're plagued with anxiety and bouts of depression, completely vulnerable to their circumstances.

    Ultimately, they usually don't contribute much to the elevation of the consciousness of humanity most of the time.

23. A secret to staying present for longer periods

    29 avril 20264 minSaison 5 · Épisode 138À suivre

    Here's a question that recently came up in a coaching session: Client: I've been trying to be present and I've let go of a lot of thinking about the past… but now I'm constantly thinking about the future. Me …

    Notes de l’épisode

    Here's a question that recently came up in a coaching session: Client: I've been trying to be present and I've let go of a lot of thinking about the past… but now I'm constantly thinking about the future. Me: If you want to gain any insight or clarity into deepening your level of presence, it has to start with presence. So, right now, are you fully present, with me, in this moment? Bring your full attention into the Now. Clear your mind. Take a deep, conscious breath. Client: I can't. My mind jumps to what's next and issues with my work and family. Me: That's okay, tune into your breath and your body. Do you notice any feelings in your body as your mind tries to run away? Client: Yes, I feel really bad.

24. How guilt keeps you sinning

    28 avril 20265 minSaison 5 · Épisode 137À suivre

    Q: "How do I get rid of guilt and stop beating myself up after I sin?" After you mess up and realise you've done something wrong, the temptation is to become Judgy-Mc-Mufti Pants and start beating yourself up …

    Notes de l’épisode

    Q: "How do I get rid of guilt and stop beating myself up after I sin?"

    After you mess up and realise you've done something wrong, the temptation is to become Judgy-Mc-Mufti Pants and start beating yourself up and drowning in guilt.

    I say 'temptation', deliberately.

    It is, indeed, your nafs (ego) that leads you down this dark, self-denigrating path of self-sabotage.

    Most people never become aware of this fact and foolishly believe that they feel guilty because they sinned.

25. Meanie Auntie-Gee brought her to tears

    27 avril 20264 minSaison 5 · Épisode 136À suivre

    I recently had a question from a client: "The other day I was out with my family and I saw the mother of my ex-fiance. I gave her the nicest smile and she gave me the meanest, most horrible look like she wanted …

    Notes de l’épisode

    I recently had a question from a client:

    "The other day I was out with my family and I saw the mother of my ex-fiance. I gave her the nicest smile and she gave me the meanest, most horrible look like she wanted something really bad to happen to me."

    At this point the client was on the verge of tears just recounting the event.

    My response:

    "Awwh, it must be really hard to live in your head."

    She quickly snapped out of it and became curious about what I meant.

26. 11 Reasons why I love "Nafs Mastery"

    26 avril 20264 minSaison 5 · Épisode 135À suivre

    Here are a few reasons why I got so excited when I saw that 'MY People' (email subscribers like your good self) voted for the name of my next coaching program to be, "Nafs Mastery"... All of our relationship …

    Notes de l’épisode

    Here are a few reasons why I got so excited when I saw that 'MY People' (email subscribers like your good self) voted for the name of my next coaching program to be, "Nafs Mastery"...

    • All of our relationship, mindset and spiritual 'problems' are manifestations of the nafs (ego) playing its games on us, without us being aware of it
    • The essence of all spiritual growth comes down to the extent to which we are aware of (and not falling for) the tricks and traps of our nafs
    • "Nafs" is not an English word… but it totally should be! It is perhaps one of the easiest-to-pronounce Arabic words that I hope will one day make its way into the Oxford dictionary

27. How to parent better than your parents…

    25 avril 20261 minSaison 5 · Épisode 134À suivre

    A question came up on a group coaching call recently: "How do you parent when you have no example? The way we grew up, with Pakistani parents who were really strict and didn't really connect with us or do any …

    Notes de l’épisode

    A question came up on a group coaching call recently:

    "How do you parent when you have no example? The way we grew up, with Pakistani parents who were really strict and didn't really connect with us or do any of the things that we now know we're supposed to do… things that are better for the kids in the long run… and more Islamic - like, how do we not just flip out when we see our kids doing something wrong?

28. Sarah Connor asks the right question…

    24 avril 20262 minSaison 5 · Épisode 133À suivre

    In one of the greatest movies of all-time, Kyle Reese tries to explain to Sarah Connor how dangerous this thing called "the Terminator" is: Kyle Reese: Listen, and understand! That Terminator is out there! It …

    Notes de l’épisode

    In one of the greatest movies of all-time, Kyle Reese tries to explain to Sarah Connor how dangerous this thing called "the Terminator" is:

    Kyle Reese: Listen, and understand! That Terminator is out there! It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop... ever, until you are dead!

    Sarah Connor: Can you stop it?

    Kyle Reese: I don't know. With these weapons? I don't know

29. 3 weapons to fight the nafs

    22 avril 20266 minSaison 5 · Épisode 132À suivre

    The battle against the nafs (lower, egoic self) isn't a joke. Your eternal life and worldly life depend on it. Fortunately, in my travels I have come across some weapons that have aided me on my personal …

    Notes de l’épisode

    The battle against the nafs (lower, egoic self) isn't a joke.

    Your eternal life and worldly life depend on it.

    Fortunately, in my travels I have come across some weapons that have aided me on my personal spiritual journey of being much more aware of the tricks my nafs is trying to play on me.

    As a result, I've dropped a load of psychological suffering, much of which I wasn't even aware existed, until it was gone. I never realised it's possible to go for hours and even days with virtually no thoughts - certainly none that create anxiety, anger or depression.

30. The essence of Islamic Spirituality

    21 avril 20263 minSaison 5 · Épisode 131À suivre

    What is true 'Islamic Spirituality'? It could be described and understood in a few ways: To surrender oneself fully to the will of Allah. To embrace Allah's constant, eternal Presence. To use the outward …

    Notes de l’épisode

    What is true 'Islamic Spirituality'?

    It could be described and understood in a few ways:

    • To surrender oneself fully to the will of Allah.

    • To embrace Allah's constant, eternal Presence.

    • To use the outward rituals of Islam as catalysts to deepen our awareness of Allah's Presence.

    • To exchange one's own mind-made fantasies for the beauty of Allah's Reality.

    • Put most simply, it is 'Zikr Allah' - to bring Allah to mind.

    • To clean one's heart, by quietening one's mind; removing thoughts of anything, thereby finding the One Source of everything.

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