COURSES
Üftade: The Nightingale in the Garden of Love
Weekly on Saturdays/Sundays
Saturday 18:00–19:00 CDT
Sunday 09:00–10:00 AEST
A reading group for online study of the spiritual poems of Üftade, one of the greatest Ottoman Sufi masters, in English translation from The Nightingale in the Garden of Love.
Course Description
The Nightingale in the Garden of Love is a translation of the spiritual poems of one of the greatest Ottoman Sufi masters, Mehmed Muhyīddīn Üftade (1490–1580). Üftade was born and lived in the town of Bursa, a hugely important spiritual centre at the height of the Ottoman Empire. He was founder of one of its main dervish orders, the Jelvetiyye, through the training of his famous disciple, ‘Aziz Mahmūd Hüdäyi. In addition, Üftade composed a collection of poems, which express his spiritual quest in simple, direct and wonderfully human language.
Paul Ballanfat’s introduction provides a detailed overview of the main features of Üftade’s life and teachings. Particularly prominent in Üftade’s teaching was the thought of “the greatest master” Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi, and of Mevlana Jalâluddīn Rūmī. Üftade had a direct spiritual connection with both of these extraordinary men and an intense veneration for both of them.
Participants will be expected to purchase the book – it is available in paperback from the publisher, Anqa Publishing [/].
And it is also available from Amazon, as an ebook or paperback:
Amazon.com
Amazon.com.au
MORE COURSES
The Masnavi of Rumi Book 3
Weekly from 19th November 2026
Thursdays 20:30–21:30 GMT
An exploration of Book Three of Jalaladdin Rumi’s Masnavi will begin in November on Zoom. To enrol in the group please contact John Brown at: besharacourses@beshara.org.
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).
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
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
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