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The Reality of Divine Wisdom
with Imam Bilal Hyde
4th of July Weekend

We will take an in-depth look into Divine Wisdom (Al-Hakim) as it is used throughout the Qur'an in its most universal aspect. Going beyond Divine Wisdom, we will journey into the heart of Divine Reality (Al-Haqq). We will also take a practical approach to this esoteric subject and investigate the wisdom of putting this reality into every aspect of our daily lives. The class will use Sufi methods of esoteric interpretation, deep contemplation, and perhaps realization, seeking to reach a more compassionate understanding of Divine Reality.     INFO HERE.

   

Guided Retreat with Murshid Wali Ali,
Sunday July 27 to Thursday July 31

Beloved Ones of God, Peace and Blessings be with you!

After Mendocino camp, for the second year in a row, I will be coordinating a small group of people who choose to go on spiritual retreat. Some people who are participating will come in to Mendocino Woodlands after noon on Thursday. Others will be staying on from all or part of the preceding camp. It is so glorious to be among the Redwoods in silence, drinking in the sacred atmosphere of nature as well as the lovely vibrations still lingering from camp.

Our retreat last year was very potent for all of us, and I am really looking forward to the opportunity we will have together this year. Because our numbers will probably be less than 25, we will be able to tailor the particular retreat each person takes to respond to their background with retreat practice and their own particular needs and inclinations. Every participant will have an individual cabin for their practice, and there will be a few periods of instruction and group practice daily--some of which are optional. The rest of the time will be occupied in full individual programs of practice. Ample opportunities will exist to check in about what is arising with me, and with Mary Shaffea Bartley, who will be assisting me as a Sufi guide. Meals will be simple. We will maintain a living silence at all times, except when reciting spiritual practices, asking questions in class, or in interviews ... Let me just take this ripening moment to invite those who are called to the experience of a Sufi retreat to consider the opportunity that the retreat in the Mendocino woodlands may provide. If you wish further details about the retreat you can contact Samia@marinsufis.com; or to register follow this link.

Love and Blessings, Wali Ali

Diving for Pearls

   A dreamwork retreat with Azima Lila Forest, August 1st-3rd at the Mentorgarten in SF   GO

   

The Sufi Conference, Oct 16-19 at Asilomar   GO

Featuring Lewelleyn Vaughan-Lee, Pir Zia, Pir Shabda, Imam Bilal, Peter Kingsley and more

"This energy of divine love cannot be brought into life by any single Sufi order or teacher, but only when different orders and lovers of God are gathered together for the sake of the One, for the sake of the whole."    -- Lewelleyn Vaughan-Lee

• View delightful photos by Karim, our staff photographer.
• Were you there? Here's the online feedback form. Please take a minute to fill it in.

   

Now on Pir Shabda's web site: recent talks by Shabda and by Karen Armstrong online (listen while downloading or save for later):    GO

Event Dates to save -- early registration advised

   

More News

• Middle East tour with Shahabuddin in October   GO
• THE SUFI CONFERENCE returns to Asilomar in October, with Pir Zia, Pir Shabda, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, Imam Bilal Hyde, and Peter Kingsley: more.
• Kabir Helmiski and Deepak Chopra consulting on upcoming Mevlana film: article.
• Review of Sufi band "Niyaz" new album Nine Heavens -- with settings of poetry by Amir Khusrow.
• New Sufi Music/Video Channel! Hear it
• Article about Shakina Reinhertz, in The Chronicle: Read it
• "Dargah of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer continues to be at the centre of a way of life born of the human heart."

   

"Every Sound I Hear"
A new CD of the poetry of Sufi Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan
Stephen Smith, Dilwara Fletcher, Latifa Noor (cello), Ananda Pritchard (violin), and Jewelsong

Bowl of Saki for June 14

OUR THOUGHTS HAVE PREPARED US FOR THE HAPPINESS OR UNHAPPINESS WE EXPERIENCE.--Hazrat Inayat Khan

Commentary by Hazrat Samuel L. Lewis (Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti):

In the first place, thoughts divide experiences between pleasant and unpleasant. By thinking of something as pleasant, one creates at the same time the thought of what is not pleasant. That is to say, there is dualism, there are two thoughts instead of one thought. Whenever the discriminating mind operates, the thought is double; it has two aspects which may be called good and evil, pleasant and unpleasant -- these are the fruits of dualism.

All the great prophets have described God's Kingdom as a place or condition where there is no day and night. That is to say, it is a sphere of universality, all inclusiveness. When one abandons the fruits of self-action, action is not abandoned but there is no attachment to qualities. Consequently, overcoming an existence which is conditioned in any way, one attains to a state of bliss which leads to highest cultivation of mind.

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Content: mostly by Shaffee. Color art at top: Fatima Lassar. Magic by the World Wide Web.!