Course Curriculum

The flagship Six-month Intensive Course is essentially a retreat. It consists of a full and engaging daily programme, which includes study, work, meditation and devotional practices.  In this respect it follows the basic pattern of all Beshara School courses but with some important distinctions and some significant additions. 

Greater Immersion, Greater Depth

The Six-month Intensive Course comprises the most complete curriculum available at the School, including in-depth study of Ibn Arabi's seminal work the Fusus al Hikam, and devotional practices specially tailored to the student's needs. A full list of texts that may be studied is shown in the side bar of this page. Texts are supplemented by themed lectures. There are no days off or weekend breaks. The aim is to allow the students the freedom to devote themselves exclusively to their studies and practice without distraction. This intensity of focus and momentum is indispensible for the development of an understanding beyond the purely intellectual, and to help the student find a permanent, reliable orientation to reality. 

Every student has a unique path to tread.  While this principle is acknowledged in every facet of the course, it is expressed more specifically through weekly individual interviews in which students may discuss privately their response and experience experience of  the course.  There is also a professional counselling service available to students by request.

Travelling Together

Like with all courses offered by the School, this is a collective journey as much as a personal one. Embarking on a course of self knowledge and the unity of being is not for oneself alone - it also involves dimensions of mutual support and group synergy. Living, working, meditating and studying together are all invaluable aspects of this mode of travelling. 

In this spirit, the course includes a two week trip to Turkey. This takes place in December and includes visits to places of spiritual, historical and cultural significance, culminating in attendance  at the annual celebration of one of the School's major inspirations Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi. Other more local trips are also  a part of the course programme, such as a visit to Samye Ling Tibetan Centre, and a trip in the footsteps of St Cuthbert. 

Broadening the Horizon

In the latter stages of the course lectures are given by visiting speakers from disciplines as diverse as economics, science and the other spiritual traditions. The purpose of these is to show that the principle of the unity of being and its ramifications can be witnessed in every area of human endeavour, each according to its appropriate language and manner.

In the same spirit, throughout the course, students are introduced to other modes of expression, such as another language, still life drawing and sacred geometry. 

The four day cycle

As mentioned above there are no days off on the Six-Month Intensive Course. It runs on a four day cycle. In the first two days study is the focus, while in the second two days,  work is emphasized. Meditation and devotional practice remain as constants in the timetable throughout. This schedule is the basis that provides a sustained focus and allows the course to maintain its energy and intensity.

For information on admission and cost, click here... 

Timetable

 
6.30am
Rise and full ablution (shower)
7.00–7.30 am
Meditation
7.30–8.30am
Breakfast
9.00–10.15am
Study or Work
10.15–10.45am
Coffee break
10.45–12 noon
Study or work
12.15–12.45pm
Meditation
1.00–2.15pm
Lunch
2.15–4.00pm
Work
4.00–5.45pm
Study
6.00–6.30pm
Meditation
6.30–7.30pm
Work
7.30–8.30pm
Supper
9.30pm
Devotional practice