Impersonal Compassion

September 21, 2019 (2pm – 5pm) 
Rudolf Steiner House, (Conference Room), 35 Park Road, London NW1 6XT

The distinction between non-theistic and theistic spirituality according to Ibn ‘Arabi with Avi Abadi.

Event Description

While Buddhism embraces the concepts of the inexpressible and of compassion as the quality that alleviates suffering, 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.

It is perhaps all too easy to identify the Buddhist ‘inexpressible’ with what Ibn ‘Arabi means by ‘the Essence’. Hence the question arises whether the distinction between non-theistic and theistic spirituality is just a matter of semantics rather than one of significant difference.  

The seminar aims to explore this question with some relevant film clips, with reference to the approach of Ibn ‘Arabi.. 

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 Chisholme Institute. He has presented several seminars for the Beshara Trust, and in 2018 gave the Beshara Lecture.

Booking & Fees

Cost: £8 + registration fee from Eventbrite or from Facebook

Entry by ticket – refreshments provided

Enquiries:
Michael Cohen at london@beshara.org or 020 8300 7928

Photo of a Robert Beer painting

The Voyages of Moses (1 of 3)

Saturday September 10, 2016

An afternoon meeting in London to study extracts from Secrets of Voyaging, by Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi.

Finding happiness and purpose in today’s world

A Blended Learning Course for Young Adults

Part 1: Introductory in-person weekend at Colet House in London
27th – 28th September 2025
(Attendance Face-to-Face or by Zoom)

Followed by.
Part 2: 10 weekly online sessions
6th October – 8th December 2025
Weekly on Mondays, 19:00-20:30pm BST/GMT

This is a course for young people who want make sense of the world and their place in it. It is designed as a voyage of discovery toward a more meaningful life. The course addresses the whole person – body, mind and spirit – by drawing on a rich range of wisdoms and techniques. Building on the successful pilot offered last year, the course invites anyone with curiosity and a desire to lead a more fulfilling life. The course begins with an introductory weekend in London and is then followed by ten weekly online sessions.

Contact: besharacourses4@beshara.org

This course has now been postponed to 2026. Date to be confirmed.

Bhagavad Gita – ‘The Song of the Spirit’

From 15th May 2025
20:30–21:30 BST

An opportunity to study and explore the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita in an online group setting. All welcome.

Contact: John Brown at besharacourses@beshara.org to book a place.

Intimate Dialogues with Reality

Saturday 29th November 2025
14:00–17:00 GMT
The October Gallery, London

Contemplative reading of some of Niffari’s “Spiritual Addresses” in a new English translation by Angela Jaffray, and exploration of their relevance to us in the present moment.

Contact: Michael Cohen  london@beshara.org

Notes from the Underworld

May 25, 2019 (2–4pm)
The Cornucopia Room, Scottish Borders
and
June 1, 2019 (2.30–4.30pm)
Mulberry House, Edinburgh

A talk by Janet Bowers exploring and embracing death as one of the most essential aspects of our humanity from a psychological and spiritual perspective.

Love and Knowledge in the Light of Unity | the Direct Path

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
10th – 12th October 2025
(Attendance Face-to-Face or by Zoom)

Followed by.
Part 2: 10 fortnightly evening zoom meetings
23rd October 2025 – 26th March 2026
Thursday evenings, 19:00 – 20:30 GMT/BST

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

The Kernel 246

Kernel of the Kernel

Weekly from 24th February 2022
Sundays
13:00–14:30 PST

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.

Kernel of the Kernel

Mondays from 7th September 2020 (19:00 – 20:00 BST)
& Wednesdays from 9th September 2020 (20:00 – 21:00 BST)

One session per week (6-7 week period)

Online study of the Kernel of the Kernel, a selection of key passages from Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi’s Futūḥāt al-Makkiyyah.

Ibn ‘Arabi Study Afternoon

February 17, 2018 (2–5pm)
The October Gallery, London, UK

The next in a series of study afternoons in London on the work of the great spiritual teacher Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi.

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

Revisiting the Kernel of the Kernel II

16th–19th February 2023

An immersive three days at Chisholme, in conjunction with the Beshara Trust.

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.