Hunger for Wholeness: Catholicism and Sufism with Patrick Beldio (Part 1)Ilia Delio interviews religious scholar and artist Patrick Beldio. In Part 1, our guests explore Patrick’s religious journey, its varied traditions, and how he discovered, and settled into, Sufism. Ilia digs into what practicing Sufism looks like from a Western perspective, the mystic perspective, and wisdom of Patrick’s teacher, Meher Baba.ABOUT PATRICK BELDIO“Is it possible for creation to evolve matter without opposition, to progress without the crude means of alternating darkness and light?”Patrick Beldio earned a Ph.D. in religion and culture from Catholic University and an M.F.A. in sculpture from George Washington University. Some of his areas of academic research and teaching are interreligious studies, comparative theology, Hindu-Christian relations, Interfaith dialogue, religion and visual culture, religion and gender, with a focus on Franciscan spirituality, the Integral Yoga of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and Meher Baba and the Chishti lineage in the West. He is also a professional artist with a studio at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, DC. His sculptures are in private and public collections across the USA including a monumental sculpture in the Sanctuary of Sufism Reoriented, Walnut Creek, CA. He has volunteered with many service projects including “Francis in the Schools,” which provides material, psychological, and spiritual support to children on the margins.Support the showA huge thank you to all of you who subscribe and support our show! This podcast is made possible in part by a grant from The Fetzer Institute—we are very grateful for their support. Support 'Hunger for Wholeness’ on Patreon as our team continues to develop content for listeners to dive deeper. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for episode releases and other updates.