How Sufi Wisdom and Breathwork Help to Transform Lives – Exclusive Interview with Andrew Lewis

Andrew Lewis, a Sufi master, is a transformative guide in mindset, meditation, breathwork, and personal development. Through his profound spiritual journey, he has mastered techniques to unlock inner peace and potential. He authored The Breath of Life, sharing wisdom to inspire growth and resilience. As a dynamic host of X Spaces, Lewis engages global audiences with practical insights for self-improvement. His mission is to empower individuals to live with clarity and purpose. Discover more about his teachings and articles on his profile page.

Andrew Lewis, Mindset, Meditation and Breathwork Coach

Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.

My name is Andrew Lewis. I'm the author of "The Breath of Life," and I work as a Sufi Master and Spiritual Advisor. My path has been deeply shaped by personal struggle.

Following the devastating suicide of my brother, I battled significant emotional and mental challenges up until I was 30. That period marked a turning point. I immersed myself in meditation and education to understand and heal, and I had a lot of help from great thought leaders of our time like Grant Cardone, Bob Proctor, and others who provided invaluable insights during this period of intense learning and growth. More recently, a diagnosis of ADHD shed light on a lifelong, unknowing battle, but also on an inherent ability I have: to hyper-focus with almost superhuman intensity. This journey of highs and lows, of loss and discovery, is what fundamentally makes me who I am and informs the work I do.

What inspired you to blend Sufi teachings with modern mindfulness and breathwork?

The inspiration came during a period of deep meditation. I experienced something of an epiphany, a profound moment of clarity. This spurred me to delve into various scriptures, not just from one tradition, but to correlate them with scientific understanding and even occult or esoteric texts. I saw incredible connections and overlaps. It became clear that blending the timeless wisdom of ancient practices, like those found in Sufism, with accessible modern techniques in mindfulness and breathwork could create a potent and relevant approach for today's world.

How did your personal experiences shape your approach to mindset and meditation?

The suicide of my brother when I was just 11 years old was, without a doubt, the catalyst. That profound loss ignited a deep-seated need within me to understand the intricate connections between mind, body, and soul. It wasn't an academic pursuit; it was a personal quest driven by pain and the desire for healing. This experience fundamentally shaped my approach to mindset and meditation, making it deeply empathetic and focused on genuine, transformative healing from the inside out.

Can you share a key practice from The Breath of Life that anyone can start using today?

Absolutely. The simplest and one of the most powerful pieces of advice I can offer from "The Breath of Life" is to practice conscious nasal breathing. Make an effort to breathe through your nose as much as possible. This simple act boosts nitric oxide production, which has numerous health benefits. More than that, it's the more natural, evolutionarily aligned, and healthy way to breathe – physically, mentally, and even spiritually. It’s a foundational practice that can have a significant impact.

What role does breathwork play in cultivating resilience and mental clarity?

Focusing on the breath is an anchor; it allows me to stay grounded, especially amidst chaos. I utilize a "frequency following response" method. This means I first feel an emotion fully, then I think on it – understand its message or origin – and only then do I act (or consciously choose not to act). This process, facilitated by conscious breathwork, is incredibly helpful for emotional dysregulation, which many people struggle with. It creates a space between stimulus and response, and in that space lies our power to choose, building resilience and mental clarity.

How do you create meaningful connections through your X Spaces discussions?

My primary aim is to create an atmosphere where all are welcome and feel safe to express themselves. A core part of this is allowing for freedom of speech. I genuinely believe every thought, every perspective, has a use or a lesson within it, even if we don't immediately agree with it. By fostering this open and inclusive environment, genuine and meaningful connections can emerge.

What advice do you have for people struggling to find inner peace amid life’s challenges?

My core message is to believe in yourself. Above all, embark on the journey to "know thyself." There's an ancient adage, often attributed to various traditions, that says, "Know thyself, know thy Lord" or "Know thyself, and thou shalt know the universe and God." The journey inward, to understand your own patterns, strengths, and connection to something greater, is paramount for finding inner peace, regardless of external circumstances.

Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far.

For me, the greatest achievement isn't a specific award or recognition. It's hearing from individuals who were struggling in life, who encountered my story or my words, and decided to implement some of the teachings into their own lives. When they come back and tell me that their lives have gotten better, that they've found more peace or clarity – that is, by far, the most profound and fulfilling achievement.

If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?

If I could change one thing in the wellness and spiritual guidance industry, it would be for more people to genuinely practice what they preach. Unfortunately, there are many mindset and breathwork coaches who, for example, might advocate for nasal breathing but are habitual mouth breathers themselves, or who don't consistently apply the principles they teach in their own lives. Authenticity and integrity are crucial, and a deeper embodiment of one's teachings would elevate the entire field.

Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.

The death of my brother was undeniably the most pivotal moment, the one that set me on this lifelong quest for understanding and healing. More recently, observing the current state of the world – the widespread emotional instability and the chaotic nature of modern life – has served as another powerful impetus. It has reinforced the urgency and importance of sharing tools and wisdom that can help people navigate these turbulent times and find their own anchor.

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