Poetics of Science: Through Itself

June 23 – 25, 2017

The third of three seminar weekends at the Chisholme Institute offering interactive presentations and workshops with speakers from diverse backgrounds, films and music nights.

Event Description

The compelling idea that inspired The Poetics of Science seminar weekends is inspiration itself. Inspiration is the creative, inexhaustible source through which the human reality can be directly known, be it through the science of the physical universe explored as an object, or through the embodied discovery of the hidden, interior realm of the heart.

Programme

The Uses of Attention in the Lives and Works of the Death-Cell Philosophers ~ with Martha Cass

The Story of Trafika Europe ~ with Andrew Singer

What is Phenomenology? ~ with Huw Gault

The Implicate Order of Music ~ with James Wyness

Strangers Talk; Friends Listen ~ with Christina Mark

Sense, Vision, Insight, Form: a poetry workshop ~ with Andrew Singer

Along the Shores of Bewilderment ~ with Mark Boston

Friday Night Show ~ with Paul Finegan and Anthony Mulligan

Saturday Night Concert ~ with James Wyness and guest musicians

Booking & Fees

Booking:
Online booking will be available shortly.
info@chisholme.org
Tel +44 (0)1450 880215
Booking website

Early Bird Rate:
10% discount for bookings received and paid for by May 31st

Residential:
– Whole weekend (incl. full board Friday to Sunday):
– Shared accommodation (double or triple bedroom): £135
– Single room accommodation (limited availability): £165

Non-Residential:
– Whole weekend, including all meals: £80

Day Rates:
– Day attendance with lunch, excluding evening £35
– Saturday evening (incl. supper) £12

Volunteering:
A number of FREE PLACES are available for volunteers wishing to help with some of the hospitality for the weekend.
If you would like to volunteer for this event, please write to francesryan2001@yahoo.com

Course / Event location

Chisholme Institute, Chisholme House, Hawick TD9 7PH, UK

The Heart of the Masnavi

The Heart of the Masnavi

A n interactive talk by Alan Williams

10th October 2026
14:00–17:00 BST
The October Gallery, London

Book Three of Rumi’s Masnavi is generally regarded as his most profound. It can be regarded as its heart, where Rumi does not mince his words. Alan will discuss the perplexities and challenges of what some say is ‘beyond the reader’s comprehension’ (not Alan’s view).

The Kernel 246

Kernel of the Kernel

Weekly from 19th September 2026
Saturdays
14:00–15:00 GMT

Online study of The Kernel of the Kernel, a selection of key passages from Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi’s Futūḥāt al-Makkiyyah, translated into Turkish with commentary by Ismail Hakki Bursevi (1652-1728AD). Translated into English by Bulent Rauf.

Love and Knowledge in the Light of Unity | the Direct Path

Love and Knowledge in the Light of Unity | the Direct Path

The Beshara Foundation Blended Learning Course

Part 1: Introductory weekend at Sutton Courtenay Abbey, Oxfordshire
16th – 18th October 2026
(Attendance Face-to-Face or by Zoom)

Followed by.
Part 2: 10 fortnightly online sessions
29th October 2026 – 18th March 2027
Thursday evenings, 19:00 – 20:30 GMT/BST

Part 3: Optional residential weekend and/or 10 days at Chisholme House, Scotland 1st–11th April 2027

This course provides a full introduction to the principles of Beshara in terms of both knowledge and practice. Taking the metaphysics of Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi as a starting point, the course explores what it means to know oneself and the world in the light of the Unity of Existence.

BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW

Contact: besharacourses3@beshara.org

Mystics and Metaphysicians, East and West, Past and Present – and Future

An online course presented by Jim Griffin  

Fortnightly from October 2026 – May 2027
Saturdays: 10:00am – 12:00pm (UK time)
or
Saturdays: 5:00pm-7:00pm (UK time)

Workshop series following a format of reading with contemplative meditation and shared reflections.

“The traditions of the past are very great in their own place, in the past, but I do not see why we should merely repeat them and not go further. In the spiritual development of the consciousness upon earth the great past ought to be followed by a greater future.”

Sri Aurobindo

Dante and Virgil approach the river Acheron; Charon raises an oar against a group of souls; Charon ferries souls; Charon ferries Dante and Virgil; a monk

Going Through Hell

A Guide to Dante’s Inferno for the Intrepid Traveller

Saturday 25th July 2026
14:00–17:00 BST
The October Gallery, London

A talk by Robert-Louis Abrahamson.

Contact: Michael Cohen  london@beshara.org

Open meeting, people sat together on the ground in a circle

Open Meetings

Monday 13th April, 2026
From 17:30 BST

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.

Avalon art song

The Nightingale in the Garden of Love

Saturday 11th April 2026
14:00–17:00 BST
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

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

More Intimate Dialogues with Reality

Saturday 7th February 2026
14:00–17:00 GMT
The October Gallery, London

Contemplative reading of some of Niffari’s “Spiritual Addresses” in a new English translation by Angela Jaffray, and exploration of their relevance to us in the present moment.

Contact: Michael Cohen  london@beshara.org

St Martin and the beggar

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

Intimate Dialogues with Reality

Saturday 29th November 2025
14:00–17:00 GMT
The October Gallery, London

Contemplative reading of some of Niffari’s “Spiritual Addresses” in a new English translation by Angela Jaffray, and exploration of their relevance to us in the present moment.

Contact: Michael Cohen  london@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.