2008 Events:
*New Leadership Program Announced for 2008*
February 22-24: Oblate Retreat Centre, Crewe, England: Shining the Mirror of the Heart with Zikr, Fikr and Meditation A Retreat with Saadi Neil Douglas-Klotz and Tansen Philip O'Donohoe The mystics of the East have realised the importance of the power of sound and its repetition for many thousands of years. Sufis primarily utilise Zikr, meaning remembrance of Divine Unity in this process. There is no reality except Unity. This realisation comes through constant repetition and impression. The whole being is involved in this kind of concentration, not only the mind. Fikr is a means of purifying the mind. Murshid Samuel Lewis, an American Sufi, referred to this practice as the vacuum cleaner of the mind. Both of these practices can lead naturally to meditative states. This weekend will be focused on these spiritual practices of Zikr, Fikr and Meditation. This will offer participants the opportunity to deepen in their spiritual life and gain insight useful for daily life.
Contact: Tansen. Tel 01258 818067. Email
March 1-March 11: Edinburgh, Scotland: 2008 Edinburgh International Festival on Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace. Talks and workshops by grassroots peacemakers, artists, storytellers, musicians and others, including Dances of Universal Peace and inter-spiritual meditation for peace. Featured presenters and workshop leaders will include Dr. Seyyed Hossain Nasr, Rodesh Shalom Eliyahu McClean, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bukhari, Dr. Stephen Wright, Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz and others. Contact:Neill Walker, Email: For details of the conference and festival, go to www.eial.org or www.mesp.org.uk
March 2: Edinburgh, Scotland: Living Blessing: The Aramaic Lord's Prayer and the Middle Eastern Mystical Tradition of Jesus with Neil Douglas-Klotz During this day workshop we will focus on a step-by-step journey of the heart through the prayer of Jesus in his original Aramaic language. During this journey we will experience Jesus' original prayer tradition of living creation, a tradition that reminds us that new beginnings happen every moment in the heart of the divine. In this journey to our own center, we will also use walking meditation and simple circle dances, Dances of Universal Peace. No experience is necessary and all are welcome. Offered as part of the 2008 Edinburgh Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace. Venue: Columcille Centre, 2 Newbattle Terrace, Edinburgh, from 1130 – 430 pm. Contact: Neill Walker, Email
March 10: Edinburgh, Scotland
"Sufism – Doctrines, Practices, and Historic Manifestations": A Day Workshop with Dr Seyyed Hossein Nasr on Sufism This is an invaluable
opportunity to study the Sufi path with one of the world's leading authorities
on Sufi teaching and practice. Dr. Nasr, now 75, is a Persian philosopher
and renowned scholar of comparative religion, a lifelong student and follower
of Frithjof Schuon, and writes in the fields of Islamic esotericism, Sufism,
philosophy of science, and metaphysics. Both events are offered as part of the 2008 Edinburgh Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace. Venue: Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh, from 1000 – 330 pm. Contact: Neill Walker, Email
March 14-16: Fluehli Ranf, Switzerland: The Aramaic Jesus and the Sufis: Shared Paths of the Heart This retreat will explore, with chant, meditation and movement, the shared prayers and meditations of the heart that connect the Aramaic Jesus and the Sufis. Yeshua's words, viewed through Aramaic eyes, reveal many aspects of his original way of prayer, contemplation and spiritual practice. As Swiss theologian Hans Kung has noted, Eastern Syriac and Aramaic Christianity heavily influenced the beginnings of Islam. Historically, early Islam had a close relationship with Aramaic and Arabic Christianity, which share the same emphasis on the mystical and spiritual side of Jesus's teaching. Within the larger community of Islam, the Sufis expressed this mystical side, used some of the same practices and told many stories about Jesus, whom they still hold in high respect. As we explore this relationship, we aim to help build bridges between the differences we perceive within and between us. Jesus' wisdom teachings are still as relevant today as when he first said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." We love the “neighbor” within as we become more fully human, exploring the full potential of our power and love. This naturally expresses itself in a more vivid and enlivened daily life. In German. Contact: Barbara Küng, Tel. 41 (0)41 921 20 41 or Regina Gerber, Email
March 26-30: Finkenwerde, nr Berlin, Germany:
Annual Native Middle Eastern Retreat with Murshid Saadi Shakur Chishti and Murshida Gita Onnen.
The Aramaic Jesus and the Sufis: Shared Paths of the Heart This retreat will explore, with chant, meditation and movement, the shared prayers and meditations of the heart that connect the Aramaic Jesus and the Sufis. Yeshua's words, viewed through Aramaic eyes, reveal many aspects of his original way of prayer, contemplation and spiritual practice. As we explore this relationship, we aim to help build bridges between the differences we perceive within and between us. Jesus' wisdom teachings are still as relevant today as when he first said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." We love the “neighbor” within as we become more fully human, exploring the full potential of our power and love. This naturally expresses itself in a more vivid and enlivened daily life. German. Contact: Gita Onnen, Tel. 49-(0)30-791-5211 and Anapurna von Kugelgen, Tel. 49-(0)30-313-9163.
April 3-6: nr Edinburgh,Scotland:
The Abwoon Interspiritual Leadership Program Module 2: The Native Middle Eastern Roots of Western Spirituality Deepening and leadership retreat for those interested in sharing the work contained in the book Desert Wisdom in the context of building interspiritual communities and ministry, as well as retreat work. Deepening for those wanting to establish a personal spiritual practice. Leadership training in body prayer, contemplation, chant, voice, walking meditation and the Dances of Universal Peace connected to this work.Included in this retreat: leading meditations from the book Desert Wisdom, incuding “Depths of the Self,” “Sound and Embodiment,” “Simple Presence,” “Heart Awareness,” and “Gratitude and Celebration” as well as leading the eight Native Middle Eastern chants and dances recorded as The Native Middle Eastern Cycle. See full description of the program in the Abwoon newsletter and online. This retreat is open to a limited number participants who are not enrolled in the entire leadership program. Prior reading and an application form are required. See full program information.
Contact: Fateah Alice Saunders, Tel. +44 (0)131 664-6206. Email
More information and online registration for this retreat (at eial.org)
April 12-13: London, England: London Centre for Spirituality:
The Healing Breath: The Aramaic Beatitudes and Spirituality of Jesus A two-day workshop on the Beatitudes in Matthew, using chant, movement and meditation and contemplation. The Beatitudes in Aramaic present a subtle psychological process of healing and empowerment. The “music”of healing that Yeshua plays appears in one form in Matthew, in another in Luke. We will meditate, chant and dance our way through this process of healing, re-experiencing the empowerment that Yeshua offered his original listeners.
Contact: London Centre for Spirituality, Tel. 020 7621 1391,www.spiritualitycentre.org Email
April 29-May 2: Columbus, OH
The Abwoon Interspiritual Leadership Program Module 1: Aramaic Spirituality I : The Aramaic Prayer of Yeshua This is the beginning of the second three-year program in North America. Deepening and leadership retreat for those interested in sharing the Aramaic Prayer of Jesus in the context of building interspiritual communities and ministry, as well as retreat work. Deepening for those wanting to establish a personal spiritual practice. Leadership training in body prayer, contemplation, chant, voice, walking meditation and the Dances of Universal Peace connected to this work. See full program information. There may be a few places open to those not enrolling for the entire program. Prior reading and an application form are required.
Contact: the Rev. Elizabeth Reed, Shalem Center, Tel. 614-441-9773,
May 2-4: Columbus, OH, USA:
The Healing Breath: Life, Healing and Empowerment in the Aramaic Teaching of Jesus Open workshop on the Beatitudes of Yeshua in Matthew and Luke with Neil Douglas-Klotz. Chant, meditation, movement and the complete cycle of Dances of Universal Peace linked to the Beatitudes in Matthew. The Beatitudes in Aramaic present a subtle psychological process of healing and empowerment. The “music”of healing that Yeshua plays appears in one form in Matthew, in another in Luke. We will meditate, chant and dance our way through this process of healing, re-experiencing the empowerment that Yeshua offered his original listeners. Registrar: Kellie Tikkun at (717)761-0888 or Email Event coordinator: the Rev. Elizabeth Reed, Shalem Center
May 4-7: Columbus, OH, USA:
The Abwoon Interspiritual Leadership Program Module 3: The Aramaic Beatitudes of Yeshua Deepening and leadership retreat for those interested in sharing the Aramaic Beatitudes of Jesus in the context of building interspiritual communities and ministry, as well as retreat work. Deepening for those wanting to establish a personal spiritual practice. Leadership training in body prayer, contemplation, chant, voice, walking meditation and the Dances of Universal Peace connected to this work. Special focus of this retreat is leadership guidance for the dances associated with the Aramaic Beatitudes and for the related body prayers in Prayers of the Cosmos and Blessings of the Cosmos. See full description of the program in the Abwoon newsletter and online. This is a closed, ongoing group. A waiting list exists for potential participants who are not enrolled for the whole program. Prior reading and an application form are required. See full program information.
Contact: the Rev. Elizabeth Reed, Shalem Center, Tel. 614-441-9773,
June 5-8: Örebro, Sweden:
Living Blessing: The Aramaic Lord's Prayer and the Middle Eastern Mystical Tradition of Jesus During this retreat we will focus on a step-by-step journey of the heart through the prayer of Jesus in his original Aramaic language. During this journey we will experience Jesus' original prayer tradition of living creation, a tradition that reminds us that new beginnings happen every moment in the heart of the divine. In this journey to our own center, we will also use walking meditation and a cycle of simple circle dances, Dances of Universal Peace. No experience is necessary and all are welcome. Contact: Cajsa Ty Email Tel. +46-(0)70-683 9 836
June 13-15: Bad Herrenalb, Germany:
Sufi Wisdom and Healing: 99 Meditations on the Pathways of the Heart. This weekend workshop will introduce the essential forms of Sufi healing meditation and will be based on the author's recently released book <Die Weisheit der Sufis: 99 Meditationen der Liebe> (Koesel Verlag). The group will explore practices using breathing, sound, walking and silent meditation, as well as some of the energy and movement practices of the Sufis, called dhikr (remembrance). Along the way, Sufi stories will punctuate the journey, along with some of the Dances of Universal Peace from the Sufi tradition. In German language only. Contact: Förderkreis für Ganzheitsmedizin, Sägwasenplatz 4, 76332 Bad Herrenalb, Germany. Tel. 49-7083-3845. Fax. 49-7083-2307. Email
June 28-July 5: near Hamburg, Germany: 2008 European Summer School of the Sufi Ruhaniat International. “Becoming Whole-heartedly Human.” Classes in Sufi Practice, Zikr, Breathwork, Healing, Advanced Dances of Universal Peace and Walking Meditation, SoulWork, Sound and Music, Spiritual Ministry. Based on the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan, Hazrat Murshid Samuel L. Lewis and Hazrat Murshid Moineddin Jablonski. Special guest teacher: Murshid Wali Ali Meyer. plus the European Ruhaniat teachers. Camp director: Murshida Gita Onnen. Contact: Edmund Dixon Email Registration: Ayat Sabine Brandt, Tel. 49-(0)30-47036782. Email See also the Sufi Ruhaniat European website at www.ruhaniateurope.org
July 19-24: Estonia: Retreat and Training in Sufi Zikr and Zikr Dance/Movement with Murshid Saadi Shakur Chisti (Neil Douglas-Klotz).
Sufi zikr (or dhikr, meaning remembrance of our origin in Sacred Unity) has been called the “perfection of remembrance and the remembrance of perfection.” This retreat will explore the experiences invited by the lessons on this essential Sufi practice in the teachings of Murshid Samuel L. Lewis. It is based on an earlier, short course on the subject given at the Sufi Ruhaniat European Summer School in 2007. During the retreat, we will explore spoken, sung, silent and moving zikr from various traditions and consider how they can help us live more invigorated and joyful lives. We will also be sharing practices related to Sufi healing as well as the Healing Ritual of Hazrat Inayat Khan.
Saadi was a member of one of the first Western zikr study circles (beginning in 1977) to explore this ancient Sufi practice and its place in modern life—for healing—body, mind and soul. As part of this exploration, he traveled to the Middle East, India and Pakistan in 1979-80, experiencing and zikr with Sheikh Muzaffer of the Halveti-Jerahi order, Sheikh Suleiman Dede of the Mevlevi order and Pir Barkat Ali of the Chishti order. Over the years, he has experienced zikr as led by many different Sufi sheikhs and pirs around the world, in addition to becoming a channel for Sufi zikr and dance/movement cycles based on them, including: Nur-i-Muhammadzikr, Aramaic Prayer cycle, Beatitudes cycle, Native Middle Eastern cycle, Genesis cycles and more. The retreat is open to all and will be held at Altmoisa, a beautiful guest house on the Baltic coast near a bird sanctuary (see http://www.altmoisa.ee/english/index.php). Contact and Registration: Silje Seppik Email
August 11-17: (Monday – Sunday): Ammerdown Retreat Centre, nr Bath, England:
2008 Three Faiths Summer School. Conference and retreat in interfaith and interspiritual peacemaking hosted by Ammerdown Centre annually. The aim is to give members of the three faiths – with priority given to attracting young people - a better awareness and understanding of the other two faiths through shared encounters and experiences. A particular theme is chosen for each Summer School in order to focus discussion and facilitate dialogue. Representatives of the three main Middle East faiths will partcipate. The school will be chaired this year by Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz, who will also present and share from his work in The Genesis Meditations and The Tent of Abraham. Contact: Ammerdown Centre, Tel: 01761 433709. Fax: 01761 433094.
September 12-14: Prague, Czech Republic: Living Blessing: The Middle Eastern Mystical Tradition of the Aramaic Jesus During this retreat we will focus on a step-by-step journey of the heart through the prayer of Jesus in his original Aramaic language. During this journey we will experience Jesus' original prayer tradition of living creation, a tradition that reminds us that new beginnings happen every moment in the heart of the divine. In this journey to our own center, we will also use walking meditation and a cycle of simple circle dances, Dances of Universal Peace. No experience is necessary and all are welcome. Contact: Lída Chrásanská, tel.:+420 603 207 273, +420 387 225 239.
September 23-28: nr Fulda, Germany Sufi Meditation, Movement and SoulWork. with Murshida Mariam Baker and Murshid Saadi Shakur Chishti The retreat will focus on the inner practices transmitted by Pir Moineddin Jablonski called SoulWork. The aim is to befriend and engage all parts of the inner self as an integrated community, a whole ‘I am’ united to the One through zikr, walks, meditation, the Dances of Universal Peace and contemplation. This process frees life energy and gives a gift to our soul. This is the only SoulWork retreat with Mariam and Saadi in Europe in 2008. This retreat will be preceded by a retreat for initiated Sufi mureeds of the Sufi Ruhaniat International, from September 21-23.
Contact: Ayat
Sabine Brandt, Tel.: +49–(0)30–470 36 783
October 12-17: Ashland, OR, USA: Sufi Meditation, Movement and SoulWork. 2008 North American SoulWork Retreat and Training with Murshids Mariam Baker and Saadi Neil Douglas-Klotz. The retreat will focus on the inner practices transmitted by Pir Moineddin Jablonski called SoulWork. The aim is to befriend and engage all parts of the inner self as an integrated community, a whole ‘I am’ united to the One through zikr, walks, meditation, the Dances of Universal Peace and contemplation. This process frees life energy and gives a gift to our soul. This is the only SoulWork retreat with Mariam and Saadi in North America in 2008. For Sufi mureeds or by permission. The retreat begins Sunday evening and ends Friday at midday.
Contact: Zahira Muhi Nadler and Raphael Birney. Email
October 21-24: Athens, GA:
The Abwoon Interspiritual Leadership Program Module 2: The Native Middle Eastern Roots of Western Spirituality Deepening and leadership retreat for those interested in sharing the work contained in the book Desert Wisdom in the context of building interspiritual communities and ministry, as well as retreat work. Deepening for those wanting to establish a personal spiritual practice. Leadership training in body prayer, contemplation, chant, voice, walking meditation and the Dances of Universal Peace connected to this work.Included in this retreat: leading meditations from the book Desert Wisdom, incuding “Depths of the Self,” “Sound and Embodiment,” “Simple Presence,” “Heart Awareness,” and “Gratitude and Celebration” as well as leading the eight Native Middle Eastern chants and dances recorded as The Native Middle Eastern Cycle. See full description of the program in the Abwoon newsletter and online. This retreat may be open to a limited number participants who are not enrolled in the entire three-year leadership program. Prior reading and an application form are required. See full program information.
Contact: the Rev. Elizabeth Reed, Shalem Center, Tel. 614-441-9773, Email
October 24-26: Athens, GA: Genesis Now: The Original Meditation of the Aramaic Jesus. Using his native Aramaic language as a lens, we explore the spirituality of Jesus as a native prophet of the Middle East. This workshop focuses on a spirituality that unites the three main religions of the Middle East and demonstrates how early mystics, including Jesus, may have meditated. In spite of apparent differences, all three religions originally shared an emphasis on sacred beginnings and a vision of a living caravan of ancestors. These ways of contemplation, which were kept alive by the mystics of the three traditions, seek to reclaim the life-affirming energy of creation as an ongoing realtiy. The workshop will use meditation, chant, Dances of Universal Peace and body prayer based on the books The Genesis Meditations: A Shared Practice of Peace for Christians, Jews and Muslims and The Tent of Abraham: Stories of Hope and Peace for Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Contact: the Rev. Terre Balof, Email
October 26-29: Athens, GA: The Abwoon Interspiritual Leadership Program Module 4: The Creation Spiritual Traditions and Practices of Early Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Sufism. Deepening and leadership retreat for those interested in sharing meditation, Dance and spiritual practice related to the shared creation tradition articulated in the books The Genesis Meditations and Desert Wisdom in the context of building interspiritual communities and ministry, as well as retreat work. This includes especially the the Genesis cycle of dances/chants (published on the CD Beginnings) and the Genesis daylong retreat. It also includes deepening for those wanting to establish a personal spiritual practice with this material. The three-year course also includes leadership training in body prayer, contemplation, chant, voice, walking meditation and the Dances of Universal Peace connected to this work. See full description of the program in the Abwoon newsletter and online. This is a closed, ongoing group. A waiting list exists for potential participants who are not enrolled for the whole program. Prior reading and an application form are required. See full program information.
Contact: the Rev. Elizabeth Reed, Shalem Center, Tel. 614-441-9773, Email
November 13-16: nr Edinburgh, Scotland: The Abwoon Interspiritual Leadership Program Module 3: The Aramaic Beatitudes of Yeshua Deepening and leadership retreat for those interested in sharing the Aramaic Beatitudes of Jesus in the context of building interspiritual communities and ministry, as well as retreat work. Deepening for those wanting to establish a personal spiritual practice. Leadership training in body prayer, contemplation, chant, voice, walking meditation and the Dances of Universal Peace connected to this work. Special focus of this retreat is leadership guidance for the dances associated with the Aramaic Beatitudes and for the related body prayers in Prayers of the Cosmos and Blessings of the Cosmos. See full description of the program in the Abwoon newsletter and online. This retreat is open to a limited number participants who are not enrolled in the entire leadership program. Prior reading and an application form are required.
Contact: Fateah Alice Saunders, Tel. +44 (0)131 664-6206. Email
More information and online registration for this retreat (at eial.org)
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