Know Yourself

Wednesdays from 5th August 2020 (20.00 – 21:00 BST)
& Mondays from 10th August 2020 (20.00 – 21:00 BST)
One session per week (5 week period)

Online study of Know Yourself, an explanation of the oneness of being attributed to Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi and Awhad al-din Balyani, translated by Cecilia Twinch (via Zoom)

Course Description

This short text on the unity of existence explains that to realise your essential oneness with reality is not to eliminate your ‘separate’ self or ego because that illusory self never existed. Rather, it is necessary to know your true self to realise your oneness with all being. Nothing essentially changes. When you know yourself ‘ignorance simply disappears’ and how things really are becomes clear.

Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi (1165-1240AD), mystic, philosopher, poet, sage, is one of the world’s great spiritual teachers, whose writings provide a beautiful exposition of the Unity of Being. His wisdom has much to offer us in the modern world, in terms of understanding what it means to be human.

These sessions are supported and sponsored by The Beshara Trust.

Booking

Cost: FREE via ZOOM
Although these courses are free to join, participants will be expected to purchase a copy of the book. It is available from Beshara Publications and Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

*Donations to support the running of these courses are welcome – DONATE HERE

Please note: both Know Yourself courses are now full, please contact besharacourses@beshara.org if you would like to register your interest in further courses and be notified when they become available.

The Beshara Lecture 2016

Saturday, 4 June 2016

Delivered at St Ethelburga’s Centre, London, by Professor Alan Williams (University of Manchester). 

Cuthbert of Farne

May 12, 2019 (6pm)
The Cornucopia Room, Scottish Borders, UK

Book launch with author Katharine Tiernan

The Beshara Lecture 2018

‘Something from Nothing’

An examination of the foundations of present day atheism from the perspective of unity of being.

Speaker: Avi Abadi

October 20th
at The Royal Asiatic Society, London

October 27th
at The Quaker Meeting House, Edinburgh

October 28th
at The Cornucopia RoomHawick, Scottish Borders

Ibn ‘Arabi and the Journey Within

February 22nd, 2020 (2–5pm)
The October Gallery, London UK

A seminar and interactive discussion with Rim Feriani exploring the meaning of ‘the journey’ in passages from selected works by Ibn ‘Arabi.

Discovering Unity Weekend Retreat

October 28 – 30, 2016

Explore deeper questions in the light of the unity of all existence. Guided group study of wisdom texts, meditation and more. Held at the Chisholme Institute.

In The Footsteps of St. Cuthbert

September 23 – 27, 2016

A five-day study tour in the North of England led by Katharine Tiernan

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

A Jewel of Indian Spirituality: Reflections on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

16th May, 2021
15:00 – 16:30 BST

An online seminar with Elizabeth Roberts

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is one of a number of sutra texts from the late Upanishadic period. According to its Indian origins yoga is not just a physical practice but a sacred science of right living and higher awareness aimed at coming to realise the inner truth of the universe – the Divine, God, the Absolute or whatever name one may use to refer to this highest value.

Registration via Eventbrite

Cordoba mosque interior

An Introduction to Ibn ‘Arabi Study

Mondays 19:00–21:00 GMT
Fortnightly Zoom sessions

This study series is an introduction to Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi’s story and perspective studying The Unlimited Mercifier by Stephen Hirtenstein. The scope of this illuminating book embraces both the inner and outer aspects of Ibn ‘Arabi’s life as each mirrors the other.

The group is underway but is open to anyone interested in joining as each session is fresh and unique in itself.

Niffari: Spiritual Addresses

Weekly on Saturdays from 23rd October, 2021
13:30 – 15:30 BST/GMT
Or (Amero-Australian based group)
Weekly on Saturdays/Sundays from 13th November, 2021
17:00 – 18:00 Saturday CST / 10:00 – 11:00 Sunday AEDT

Online study and contemplation of the Spiritual Addresses by al-Niffari. Reading material will be provided.

These sessions are now full.

Contact:
Michael Cohen at london@beshara.org
(Amero-Australian group) Mary Boyd-Brent at boydb002@umn.edu

Fusus al-Hikam Study

Weekly on Sundays from 12th October 2025
13:00 – 14:30 PDT   (21:00 – 22:30 GMT)
Duration: approx. 9 weeks

US-based online group studying the Chapter on Seth from the Fusus al-Hikam by Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi, translated by Jane Clark, Stephen Hirtenstein and Cecilia Twinch.

Note: This is an existing group with a few spaces for new participants.

Contact: Maren Gleason, marengleason@gmail.com