Ep. 210 (Part 3 of 3) | In Part 3 of the 15th dialogue in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali speaks about the evolutionary aspect of the creative dynamism of the universe. He explains there is an optimizing, transformative force that is responsible for one form changing to another, like a caterpillar to a butterfly. This developmental force is in alignment with Western concepts of evolution and progress, and applies to spiritual realization, too. There is also an optimizing force specific to the human soul, Hameed tells us, that fuels the hearts that burn with the desire for liberation. This is the force responsible for spiritual development. In Buddhism it is called bodhicitta, the desire for enlightenment.

Why do some people have a fierce desire to seek the truth, asks co-host Roger Walsh, but many do not? Hameed replies that most people are busy making a living, doing their best to get by. In this case the transformative force remains a potential but is not actualized. Seekers possessed by the flame of the search turn inward, asking, What is God? What is truth? What is reality? Scientists look at this externally, he says, but it is the inward turn that reveals the source of the inner fire, the logos, the word that speaks through our souls and through our hearts. Towards the end of the conversation, Hameed laughs at how upside down things are with us looking for answers everywhere but within and thinking the logos speaks through who we think we are, not realizing we ourselves actually are the logos. If we realize who we truly are, he says, the world itself becomes richer. Another infinitely inspiring talk with A. H. Almaas, filled with astonishing wisdom and loving humor. Recorded September 11, 2025.

“Be attentive to the inner calling. Inner pleasure far surpasses outer pleasure.”

Topics & Time Stamps – Part 3

The developmental aspect of creative dynamism & the Western concept of evolution, of progress (00:39)
Development is part of the order, the progression of one form to another, the process of maturation, like spiritual realization (03:36)
The universe has an optimizing, transformative force, like a caterpillar to a butterfly (09:02)
There is also an optimizing force specific to the human soul, where hearts burn with desire for liberation; this is responsible for spiritual development (11:41)
Why do some people have this desire and most do not? (13:44)
In the Western world, spiritual realization is a luxury; in the East there is some support for people pursuing realization (17:08)
Intensifying & purifying spiritual aspiration with practice: we find pleasure when the soul turns inward (19:13)
Be attentive to this inner calling: know thyself (22:40)
The flame of the search reveals the source of the inner fire, the logos, the word that is speaking through our souls, our hearts (25:02)

Resources & References – Part 3

A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali), founder of The Ridhwan School, home of

The Force Behind Spiritual Evolution: Discovering the Source of Our Inner Fire

Deep Transformation

The Force Behind Spiritual Evolution: Discovering the Source of Our Inner Fire