Lightning Flashes and the Heart’s Yearning
February 4 – 19, 2017
An intensive retreat course of devotional practice at the Chisholme Institute, led by Peter Young.
Course Description
This intensive retreat course at the Chisholme Institute is for those with some prior experience of reading the works of the 13th-century mystic Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi, and who follow an ongoing spiritual practice. It follows the form of the Wafiza (Invocation) Retreats which have been held at the Chisholme Institute for many years, and is open to those who have experience of these courses, as well as those who don’t.
Week 1: Intensive week of study of selections from Ibn ‘Arabi’s Tarjuman al-Ashwaq and the Lawa’ih of Jami, together with daily practice and group conversation. The Tarjuman al-Ashwaq is a collection of spiritual love poetry, rich in metaphors and meanings, about the journey of the heart to union with the real beloved. As the author explains, every one of his poetic allusions is really to Her, his divine Beloved. The Lawa’ih is a collection of inspirational ‘flashes’ or insights into our human existence, and in particular the steps towards realising our unity with the one absolute being. Together they weave a subtle rope of guidance for the aspirant entering seclusion…
Week 2: A week of private seclusion engaging full-time in devotional practices, as prescribed by Ibn ‘Arabi for his students. These practices are undertaken for the completion of the various levels of the self through the realisation of their unity with the One Absolute Self.
The final day, after the completion of the practices, will be set aside for acclimatisation. It will also be possible for participants to stay for a further day or two following the retreat as they wish.
The retreat will be limited to ten participants.
The Location
The location is Chisholme House, a beautiful, secluded estate on the edge of open moorland, deep in the hills of the Scottish Borders. It is roughly an hour’s drive from Edinburgh, Newcastle and Carlisle, with a regular bus service from Edinburgh and Carlisle to Hawick, the nearest town.
About the Course Facilitator
Peter Young studied Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge, and Ottoman Turkish at Oxford. For a time, he worked as a psychiatric nurse and later ran his own building company. In the mid-seventies he came to the Beshara School at Chisholme as a student, undertaking two intensive retreat courses under the supervision of the late Bulent Rauf.
He was principal of the school from 1984–2015, devoting his life to serving the school and its students. Recently he led the development of new study and retreat courses in both self-enquiry and self-knowledge (known as Discovering Unity courses), and he continues to lecture and supervise courses worldwide. He is married and has four children and several grandchildren.
Booking & Fees
£700 which includes single room accommodation and full board.
A non-refundable deposit of £100 will be needed to secure a place.
If you would like to take part, please apply to the Secretary: secretary@chisholme.org
Tel +44 (0)1450 880 215
The Chisholme Institute
