Ep 2. Azim Khamisa: From Devastating Grief to Incredible Forgiveness

NOTE: Please note, this episode contains adult themes, including talk of gun related violence, murder and suicidal thoughts. Please take good care of yourself if these topics are triggering or leave you feeling extra tender. If you’re struggling with mental health issues, support is available 24/7 through the Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-273-8255 and more resources are listed below.

 

When I dreamed up this podcast, the goal was to have conversations with everyday people that are impacting the world against all odds. Today’s guest is exactly the kind of conversation I was envisioning.

Azim Khamisa did something so difficult that most of us have trouble doing. He forgave the 14-year-old person that murdered his son in a senseless gang-related incident. He chose compassion and forgiveness rather than revenge, and he’s made it his life’s work to walk others through a similar path.

I think that our conversation is going to shake your soul. I knew he was special the moment we connected. I sensed in him a deep inner peace. Azim Khamisa shared with me how he has lived his life after the loss of his son and is not only inspirational, but impactful for our evolution as human beings. He has showcased that forgiveness is possible, even if it’s your son that has been murdered.

Azim is one of the kindest and most humble human beings I’ve ever met. One of the favorite moments was when he shared the quote below which felt like BIG Truth and gave me chills.

 

“We humans have many defining moments. Sometimes they are joyous and sometimes they are devastatingly tragic. At these defining moments, if we can make the right choice, we literally manifest a miracle in ourselves and others.” ~ Azim Khamisa

 

We speak about the idea that grief can be medicine and how his spiritual practice supported him to find peace after how he describes his loss, a nuclear bomb went off in his heart. He also shared some of the words of wisdom that His Holiness The Dalai Lama shared with him about the law of attraction and making sense of loss.

More About Azim Khamisa

Following the murder of his son in 1995, Azim Khamisa founded the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, which started a subsequent forgiveness movement that has reached millions.

He has received over 60 local, national and international awards. In 2002, he received Search for Common Ground’s prestigious award alongside Desmond Tutu and Ted Koppel In 2004, he participated in the Synthesis Dialogues with His Holiness the Dalai Lama which was hosted by Pope John Paul II at his summer palace in Castelgandolfo, Italy and in 2006 he was given the "Spirit of Crazy Horse Award" from the Reclaiming Youth Network alongside Mohammad Ali. In addition, Azim has been the recipient of the California Peace Prize in 2003 and the Pepsi Freedom Heroes Award in 2006.

With a strong passion to share his message with the youth and to inspire nonviolent leaders proactive as peacebuilders, Azim has given over 1,000 presentations to over a million students worldwide. He is the author of four books including, award-winning From Murder to Forgiveness (being made into  a feature film). In November 2018, Azim spoke for the TEDWomen conference that has been viewed by over 1 million viewers.

To learn more about Azim you can visit his website and also follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

In This Episode We Talk About

Azim’s meditation practice and how it amplified after the loss of his son How Azim found his spiritual practice saved him during the biggest crisis of his life Connecting with his soul purpose The idea that in life we get problems our intellect and heart will not be able to solve, but that there are no problems you are going to get in your life that your spirit cannot solve or heal. The moment that Azim found out his son has been murdered and how he quickly came to see that, “There are victims at both ends of the gun.” How he went from being an investment banker to author, speaker, and activist on forgiveness and peace How Azim sees the opportunity within defining moments, both joyous and tragic The idea that grief can be medicine and we must give ourselves time and space to grieve The importance of being of service to find happiness Azim shares his experience during meditation and the wisdom in consciousness and how you connect to consciousness The moment when Azim met the young man that murdered his son Words of wisdom that His Holiness The Dalai Lama gave Azim about the idea of the law of attraction And so much more!

Things We Mention In This Episode

The Tariq Khamisa Foundation Azim’s workshops and trainings Azim’s free meditation recording Azim’s conversation with His Holiness The Dalia Lama The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying How to Help Someone in Crisis 10 Things to Say to a Suicidal Person Join Christina at The Omega Institute for Life Reentry After Loss Second Firsts by Christina Rasmussen Where Did You Go? by Christina Rasmussen

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