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.

Course Details

This course will explore the poetry of Rumi under various themes through reading and discussion.

Meditation in your own space and time is recommended before and after each weekly Zoom session.

Fees
The course is free but participants are required to have a copy of The Essential Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks. ISBN: 978-006-250-9598

The book can be purchased from Blackwells and other good booksellers.

Click here to purchase a copy from Blackwells

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

Places are limited, so please ensure you are able to attend the sessions before committing to the course.

These sessions are supported and sponsored by The Beshara Trust.

Synopsis of The Essential Rumi

This revised and expanded edition of The Essential Rumi includes a new introduction by Coleman Barks and more than 80 never-before-published poems.

Through his lyrical translations, Coleman Barks has been instrumental in bringing this exquisite literature to a remarkably wide range of readers, making the ecstatic, spiritual poetry of thirteenth-century Sufi Mystic Rumi more popular than ever.

The Essential Rumi continues to be the best selling of all Rumi books, and the definitive selection of his beautiful, mystical poetry.

“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.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Fables as Contemplative Wisdom

“How if this be the truth – that all are a little true?”

Sunday, 30th October 2022
15:00–16:30 GMT (online via Zoom)

Robert Louis Stevenson’s fables are little-known masterpieces by this supreme story-teller.

This online seminar is the latest in a series under the general title Unity in Diversity.

Led by Robert-Louis Abrahamson

Open Meetings

Monday 14th July, 2025
From 17:30 BST

Are you interested in sharing your thoughts and in contributing to the development of Beshara? We are excited to invite you to another online Open Meeting this summer.

Know Yourself

Saturday 26th April 2025
14:00–17:00 BST
The October Gallery, London

You yourself are the object of your quest

Reading and discussion of a classic explanation of the Oneness of Being, attributed to Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi and Awhad al-din Balyani and translated from the Arabic by Cecilia Twinch.

Contact: Michael Cohen, london@beshara.org

Discovering Unity Introductory Weekend

March 10 – 12, 2017

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

The Ways of the Heart II: Oneness

20th January – 28th March 2023
Tuesdays, 20:00–21:15 GMT

An online Beshara course exploring a spiritual life in the contemporary world.

Seven Days of the Heart

‘Seven Days of the Heart’ Study Retreat

September 30 – 7 October, 2017
Armagh, Melbourne, Australia

An intensive, non-residential study retreat, led by Stephen Hirtenstein.

Application deadline: June 30th, 2017

Kernel of the Kernel

Sundays from 27th February, 2022
13:00 – 14:30 Pacific Standard Time

One session per week for up to 8 weeks

A study of Ismail Hakki Bursevi translation of Ibn ‘Arabi’s exceptional treatise for those who undertake the journey with the aim of Union. All are welcome.

Contact: marengleason@gmail.com

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

Discovering Unity Weekend Retreat

September 23 – 25, 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.

Scilla Elworthy

Building Peace – how can we be useful?

May 27 – 29, 2017
Chisholme Institute, Scottish Borders, UK

Peace can be built – here’s how to do it. A TED talk and workshop with Scilla Elworthy.

Aspects of Science, Imagination and the Mystical

April 14, 2018 (2pm–5pm)
The October Gallery, London, UK

A talk and seminar that will consider the vital role of the creative imagination in natural science and in the mystical philosophy of Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi.