an itinerant observer

For over two decades, I’ve navigated the labyrinthine halls of some of the world’s most prestigious academic medical centers. Fifteen years in one of the largest healthcare systems in America, spanning renowned medical institutions, followed by over a decade at a leading academic healthcare center in South Asia. These years were filled with purpose, bureaucracy, triumph, and disillusionment in equal measure. But somewhere along this journey, a quiet restlessness began to grow. A persistent question hovered at the edges of my thoughts: Is this still my north star? I found myself staring down the existential dilemma so many seasoned academics face: whether to stay within the familiar walls of institutional academia or step outside into the untethered expanse of something different. In a way, this essay feels like a continuation of thoughts I began exploring several years ago in "Sir? No Thank You!" , a reflection on institutional inertia, misplaced loyalties, and the uneas...

Introduction In the realm of Sufi literature, a profound concept known as the Commanding Self, or Nafs-i-Ammara , reveals itself as a mysterious intermediary between objective reality and one's authentic self. As Idries Shah eloquently states in The Commanding Self, it is "the key to understanding my entire corpus of work." This captivating concept challenges Sufi teachers to communicate its essence effectively, despite facing accusations of maintaining authority and denying individuals access to higher levels of understanding. The purpose of this essay is to delve into the depths of the Commanding Self, explore its significance in Sufi teachings, and shed light on its relevance to personal transformation and self-realization. By unraveling the layers of the Commanding Self, we can gain valuable insights into the journey of the soul and the path toward inner awakening. The Commanding Self: A Closer Look "The Commanding Self thrives on convincing individuals that its...

As the year 2023 unfolded, I found myself standing at a significant crossroads—a milestone marking ten years since my relocation from Houston to Karachi. It was a moment of reflection, where the flickering ember of my muse reignited within me. As in the past, it beckoned me to embrace those very failures that had woven themselves into the fabric of my existence, for they had shaped my trajectory through academic rejections, professional setbacks, and personal stumbling blocks. Amidst those failures, I discovered the profound blessings of love, employment, research, parenthood, and caregiving—an epiphany that revealed success as nothing more than a redefined manifestation of failure. Guided once again by the gentle whispers of my muse, I found myself drawn deeper into the caverns of introspection, where profound growth was nurtured amidst pain. As I cast my gaze upon the retrospective lens, I acknowledged the inherent challenges and limitations it presented. It was in response to this...

  "I see patients, I do research, I teach, I write, I create | innovate | startup, and I reinvent myself every few years..." These words, captured in my LinkedIn tagline, perfectly encapsulate the multifaceted journey I embarked on during my decade at Aga Khan University (AKU). Looking back, this milestone marks 10 years of profound growth, both personally and professionally, as I reflect on the invaluable insights that have shaped my path. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Lao Tzu Almost three decades ago, when I took my first step into AKU as a medical student, I had no inkling of the remarkable voyage that awaited me. After my MBBS from AKU, my fascination with human genes and genomes led me to pursue a Ph.D. in molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, Texas, setting the stage for an awe-inspiring journey of academic exploration and intellectual revelations. While at Texas Children's Hospital,...

Having left youth behind, in the throes of my midlife crisis (per my dear wife), I often ponder: What is change? Why is it needed? Where is it needed (most)? How is it brought about in a sustained manner and by whom? Before delving into this more, let me introduce you to my two young friends: Alezeh, a 14-year-old 9 th grader, and Mayank, an 18-year-old college student, with whom I conceived ‘ Biloongra -Books for Change ’, a grass roots effort promoting global child literacy and education. They pondered the above questions along with me at a café, over coffee and kolaches, at Rice village in Houston, on a sweltering summer morning. The discussion, dialogue and debate were timely. I had struggled with the questions primarily because it was unclear to me why we wanted to do something that might affect ‘change’ in public sector kids’ education in Pakistan. The oft cited ‘there’s a crucial need’, fell by the way side, once the going got tough. Such work from afar, while...