The Twenty-Nine Pages

8th September, 2021 – 24th November, 2021

A 12-week online course by the Beshara Trust studying ‘The Twenty-Nine Pages’, which serves as an excellent introduction to Ibn ‘Arabi’s metaphysics of unity.

Course Description

This is a course studying The Twenty-Nine Pages, which serves as an introduction to Ibn ‘Arabi’s metaphysics of Unity

Drawn from The Mystical Philosophy of Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi by A.E. Affifi, originally published by the Cambridge University Press in 1938, the extracts presented in this short book as a continuous text were arranged many years ago by Bulent Rauf, consultant to the Beshara Trust until his death in 1987.

His intention was to provide a complete introductory guide to the language and thought of Ibn ‘Arabi, particularly those aspects of his doctrine which refer to the unity of being and the perfectibility of man.

The rich content, inclusiveness and extraordinary scope of the passages from Ibn ‘Arabi make it an invaluable reference for students of mysticism and the spiritual life, whatever their background. Themes include the one and the many, immanence and transcendence, sainthood, knowledge, the heart, the soul, good and evil, and love and beauty.

Peter Coates, author of Ibn ‘Arabi and Modern Thought (2002), states: ‘This is no dry theoretical piece of metaphysicalising but rather an invitation to each reader to benefit from an acquaintance with one of the most complete and universal mystical visions of reality we have at our disposal.’

The course will be held over 12 sessions with a weekly Zoom seminar on Wednesdays at 19:30 – 20:30 BST/GMT. All Zoom seminars will be recorded should you miss one.

The course will be guided by facilitators who are long-term students of the work of Ibn ‘Arabi.

Students will be expected to have a copy of the book which is available from Beshara Publications.

Booking & Fees

Fees: The course is free but participants will be expected to have purchased a copy of The Twenty-Nine Pages – available from
Beshara Publications

Please contact besharacourses@beshara.org to apply for a place on the course.

‘Truth is One but the wise speak of it differently’

(Rig Veda)

A 5-module course from 8th September, 2021 to 4th May, 2022. Wednesday evenings from 7-8.30pm GMT/BST

This course will introduce participants to four major traditions of human wisdom – the philosophies of ancient Greece and India, Christian wisdom and Islamic Mysticism. As we progress through the course we will explore how these traditions might converse with one another and go on to consider what light these wisdoms have to shed on the issues the world faces today.

Bulent Rauf

The Writings of Bulent Rauf

Saturday, 8th October 2022
14:00–17:00 BST
The October Gallery, London UK

An afternoon devoted to contemplative reading of some of the writings and talks of Bulent Rauf.

“It is rather hearts, clinging to the door of the Divine Presence”

Learning from Ibn ‘Arabi

4th November 2023
14:00–17:00 GMT
The October Gallery, London

A talk and seminar by Eric Winkel

Mystic, philosopher, poet, sage, Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi (1165–1240) was one of the world’s great spiritual teachers. Since 2012, Dr Eric Winkel has dedicated his life to the first-ever translation of and commentary on the entirety of Ibn Arabī’s al-Futūḥāt al-Makkīyah (The Openings Revealed in Makkah). Ten thousand pages of the original handwritten manuscript make up 37 books of the complete work. In this seminar, he will discuss Ibn ‘Arabi’s seminal work and its significance for us now.

Mystics and Scientists Conference

40th Mystics and Scientists Conference

April 7 – 9, 2017

The continuing quest for unity and integration. How we are reconciling science and spirituality. Organised by The Scientific and Medical Network. Venue: De Vere Horsley Estate, Surrey.

Fusus al-Hikam Study

Weekly on Sundays
13:00 – 14:30 PDT

Online reading group studying chapters from the Fusus al-Hikam by Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi, translated by Jane Clark, Stephen Hirtenstein and Cecilia Twinch.

In the Footsteps of St Cuthbert

September 19–23, 2018
Scottish Borders, UK

A five-day study tour in the North of England led by Katherine Tiernan, author of ‘Place of Repose; a tale of St Cuthbert’s last journey’.

The Alchemy of Human Happiness

December 7th, 2019 (2–5pm)
Rudolf Steiner House, London UK

An introduction to a new translation of a core chapter from Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi’s Futūḥāt al-Makkiyya with the translator, Stephen Hirtenstein.

Ibn ‘Arabi Study Retreat: The Secrets of Voyaging

July 8 – 15, 2017
Chisholme Institute, Scottish Borders, UK

‘In reality, we never cease from journeying from the moment we and our origins are constituted, ad infinitum.’

Essential Rumi

Weekly on Tuesdays from 21st September, 2021
19:30 – 21:00 BST/GMT

A 6-week course focusing on the poetry of Jelaluddin Rumi.

Contact: besharacourses@beshara.org

Awhad al-Din Kirmani: a talk by Lloyd Ridgeon

Sunday November 20, 2016

Dr Lloyd Ridgeon of the University of Glasgow delivers a talk on the Persian poet Awhad al-Din Kirmani (1163–1238) at the Chisholme Institute. 

Homecoming: The Art of Benet Haughton

May 11 – June 3rd, 2018
The Cornucopia Room, 4 Towerdykeside, Hawick TD9 9EA, Scottish Borders UK

An interview, talk & exhibition

William James

In Defence of Mysticism: William James and Ibn ‘Arabi

June 17, 2017   (2–5pm)
The October Gallery, London, UK

A talk/seminar by Peter Coates investigating the parallels between the writings of William James and the vision of Ibn ‘Arabi.