BESHARA
Beshara is a name for the perspective that there is only one unlimited existence, expressing itself infinitely as a gift of love.
The potential to realise this truth lies within every human heart.
The awakening and realisation of this potential is the aim of this education.
The word Beshara is originally Aramaic, its meaning can be rendered as “good news” or “omen of joy”. It indicates the very positive and valuable effect that any movement towards a more inclusive and harmonious perspective represents.
COURSES & EVENTS
Open Meetings
Monday 13th April, 2026
From 17:30 GMT
An ongoing open, creative discussion space and e-gathering for sharing thoughts and contributing to the development of Beshara. Please join us in exchanging ideas, having meaningful discussions, the chance to be heard and the chance to listen and for understanding to develop and flourish.
The Nightingale in the Garden of Love
Saturday 7th March 2026
14:00–17:00 GMT
The October Gallery, London
Contemplative reading of the spiritual poems of one of the greatest Ottoman Sufi masters, Mehmed Muhyīddīn Üftade (1490-1580).
Contact: Michael Cohen london@beshara.org
Contemplation of the Holy Mysteries
Weekly on Saturdays (starting March 2026)
13:30–15:30 GMT online via Zoom
An opportunity to study and explore a recent translation of a seminal work of Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi: Contemplation of the Holy Mysteries.
Contact: Michael Cohen, london@beshara.org
The Practical Wisdom of Ibn ‘Arabi
13th January – 3rd March, 2026
Tuesdays at 19:00 – 21:00 GMT (8 sessions)
Exploring Ibn ‘Arabi’s great metaphysical vision and its many implications for our conduct in everyday life. No previous knowledge is required, all texts provided.
This course is now fully booked. To join a reserve list or to receive notification of a future possible iteration of the course, email besharacourses3@beshara.org
Interweavings: Christian and Sufi Threads in a Divine Tapestry
Poetry and meditation workshops
Fortnightly from 11th October – 21st February
Saturdays: 10:00am – 11:30pm (UK time)
or
Fortnightly from 1st November – 14th March
Saturdays: 5:00pm-6:30pm (UK time)
Workshop series following a format of reading lines of poetry with contemplative meditation and shared reflections.
BESHARA MAGAZINE
The intentions of Beshara Magazine: an interview with the editor, Jane Clark
Beshara Magazine provides a platform for intelligent and thought-provoking material embodying a unifying perspective. Its concern is not with one particular field of activity, but with unitative ideas and initiatives as they arise in many different areas of contemporary thought.
LATEST ARTICLES
Podcast Interview: Alastair McIntosh: ‘Riders on the Storm’
The Scottish writer, theologian, and environmental activist talks about climate change as fundamentally a spiritual crisis – a wake-up call inviting us to understand the world as a manifestation of the divine. ‘This is where the evolution of conscious life on Earth has brought the planet to.’
Jethro Buck: Painting the Beyond
The renowned artist talks about the inspiration for his work in Indian miniature painting and the way these traditional techniques can bring us into a sense a deeper connection with the natural world
‘The way I think of art is summed up in the Alan Watts quote: “You are an aperture through which the universe is exploring itself.”’
The Image Bears Witness to Your State
Psychotherapist Sir Nick Pearson talks about his unique approach to healing based on an understanding of imagination drawn from the Sufi tradition
‘In the West, the imagination is not understood as a vital tool to help us go into the deeper aspects of life and reality or to discover our place between heaven and earth.’
A Thing of Beauty… The Nebra Sky Disc
Susan Bachelder is drawn into the eternal beauty of the cosmos through contemplation of its oldest surviving representation
‘There are certain things we all share, like the profound beauty of the heavens above us’
Social Ecology: An Alternative Perspective
Professor Jim Morley argues that we need to rediscover ourselves as naturally affiliative, cooperative and empathetic
‘We are most ourselves when we are bonding and socialising and intimate not just with ourselves but also with nature.’
Listening to the World
Eminent biochemist Professor Pauline Rudd talks about communication, participation and cooperation in nature
‘Our genes are very ancient; we share them with all other creatures. Also we are all made by the same spirit. So we have these two hugely important planks of our lives in common with the whole creation.’
RECENT TALKS
Ibn ‘Arabi and the Ecological Crisis: a Merciful Nemesis? Revisited
Speaker: Peter Coates
Delivered at the October Gallery, London, September 2023
A talk and discussion with Peter Coates about the ecological crisis and its deeper significance.
“Hubris against the essential divine order of nature would be followed by its appropriate nemesis” (Aldous Huxley)
BESHARA LECTURE 2023
The Coincidence of Opposites
Speaker: Iain McGilchrist
Delivered online on 9th July 2023
If there is Oneness, what are the Many? Are they the same? What do we mean? Iain McGilchrist suggests that the coincidence of opposites is a truth of unsurpassed importance, but that we have been educated into believing that it is, quite simply, nonsense; and that this plays a neglected role in our failure to make sense of the world.
PUBLICATIONS
Letters
Bulent Rauf | This book presents letters full of profound insights to students corresponding with Bülent Rauf (1911–1987), who was Consultant to the Beshara School of Intensive Esoteric Education.
Kernel of the Kernel
Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi | “For the one who is ready to look into the depth of his or her own being, to the kernel of the kernel which is his essence, this book is invaluable, pointing out the path of progress for those who may become entangled along the way.”
Know Yourself
Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi / Awhad al-din Balyani | The power of ideas has been expressed in many ways. It is also true of a wrong idea, illusion, and the most deep-rooted and limiting of ideas is the idea of our own existence. “Know Yourself” is a clearing away of misconceptions, so that a true perception may appear.
The Trust is supported entirely by philanthropic donations and voluntary work.
BESHARA WORLDWIDE
Beshara courses and events are held around the world, organised by independent groups and individuals who share a common belief in the importance of this education.
To find out more about our worldwide groups, follow these links:
The Beshara Trust (UK)
Beshara Netherlands
Beshara North America
Beshara Southeast Asia
Beshara Australia
© The Beshara Trust (UK) 2022. All rights reserved