Impersonal Compassion
Friday July 2, 2021
Friday July 9, 2021
Friday July 16, 2021
19:00 AEST / 10:00 BST
1 hour session per week
An online seminar in three sessions on the distinction between non-theistic and theistic spirituality according to Ibn ‘Arabi with Avi Abadi.
Seminar Description
Buddhism embraces the realities of the inexpressible and of compassion as the quality that alleviates suffering, but it does not address the matter of the Compassionate as Ibn ‘Arabi presents it: the Single Being who, due to His mercy, lends existence to the infinity latent in His Essence. Since it is all too easy to identify the Buddhist ‘inexpressible’ with what Ibn ‘Arabi means by ‘the Essence’, the distinction between non-theistic and theistic spirituality may be seen as a question of semantics rather than one of significant difference that shapes the path of the seeker.
The seminar aims to explore this question in reference to three themes that are central to Ibn ‘Arabi’s teachings:
- The emergence of existence
- Prophecy, or how spiritual paths come about
- The nature of enlightenment
Structurally, the seminar consists of a presentation that explores the latter two themes and a study of two passages from Ibn ‘Arabi’s Fusus al-Hikam.
Avi Abadi has been a student of the work of Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi for many years. For several years he was the Director of Studies at the Beshara School (now known as the Chisholme Institute). He has led numerous seminars supported by the Beshara Trust, and presented the Beshara Lecture in 2018.
Booking
Cost: FREE via Zoom
Contact: Mark Temple at markvtemple@gmail.com
