Book Launch : Dissolving Into Being by Dr. William Rory Dickson

Dissolving into Being is a brilliant new introduction to Sufi mystical philosophy, a tradition traced back to the works of Sufism’s most renowned master, Ibn ‘Arabi (d. 1240). To help bridge the gap between specialized studies of Ibn ‘Arabi and a more general readership, Dissolving into Being highlights several of his insights, on subjects ranging from the origin of the world and the reality of love, to the nature of life after death, destiny, peace and conflict, and religious diversity. This excellent book will appeal to anyone seeking a new approach to Sufi thought as well as those familiar with Ibn ʿArabi’s ideas.

“An exquisitely beautiful and sharply insightful contemporary engagement with Ibn ‘Arabi’s ideas … delightfully ‘fresh food’ for the spiritual seeker and the intellectual.” – Sa’diyya Shaikh

Photo by Daniel Crump

Dr. William Rory Dickson is Associate Professor and Chair of Religion and Culture at the University of Winnipeg. His research focuses on Sufism and contemporary Islam. His books include Living Sufism in North America: Between Tradition and Transformation (2015) and (co-authored with Meena Sharify-Funk) Unveiling Sufism: From Manhattan to Mecca (2017).

Moderator, Negah Angha 

Negah Angha was appointed to the board of MACS MTO in July 2024.

She has dedicated 20 years to foreign policy work across the U.S. government, private sector, think tanks, and academia. She is a PhD candidate at the Department of War Studies at King’s College London. Her research interests include the role of religion in shaping social and cultural dynamics, conflict, and peacebuilding in the Middle East and North Africa, and ethical practices in local conflict resolution within Sufi communities in the diaspora and MENA region. Negah integrates photography as a visual arts medium in her work on peace interventions and community building. Her practice includes collaborative projects, extensive fieldwork, and scholarly essays that contribute to a deeper understanding of regional socio-political issues. Additionally, she has also shared her expertise as a resident fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Politics and has taught Sufism and Islamic Philosophy at King’s College London, and Foreign Policy at the UK Defence Academy’s Joint Services Command and Staff College.

She was a founding board member of the American Friends of Sufi Arts, Culture and Knowledge (AFSACK) and holds a Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and an MBA from American University, Washington, D.C.