Niffari: Spiritual Addresses

Weekly on Saturdays from 23rd October, 2021
13:30 – 15:30 BST/GMT

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.

Description

Little is known of the life of the 10th century mystic, Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdi-‘l Jabbar al-Niffari. He was born in the marshlands of the Euphrates and remained a solitary wanderer all his life, shunning the company of others. His visionary insights, which he wrote down on scraps of paper, were only collected into book form after his death. In his Spiritual Addresses and Stayings can be found essential intuitions about the spiritual quest, expressed in extraordinarily direct yet subtle language. Compared with other mystical writings there are few time-bound cultural references in his work and this gives to the writings of Niffari a very contemporary feel.

In these meetings, we shall be reading and contemplating some of Niffari’s Spiritual Addresses in English translation. The study material will be supplied.

Booking

Cost: FREE via Zoom

Contact:
Michael Cohen at london@beshara.org
(Amero-Australian group) Mary Boyd-Brent at boydb002@umn.edu

Bulent Rauf

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

Impersonal Compassion

September 21, 2019 (2pm – 5pm)
Rudolf Steiner House, London

A seminar exploring the distinction between non-theistic and theistic spirituality according to Ibn ‘Arabi.

Compassion for the World

January 26, 2019 (2–5pm)
The October Gallery, London

How can the wisdom of Ibn ‘Arabi help us solve contemporary problems like global warming?

Three Month Online Course

September 7 – December 7, 2019

A three month course beginning with a week residential retreat at Chisholme House in the Scottish Borders, followed by a modular online programme.

Mystics and Scientists Conference

40th Mystics and Scientists Conference

April 7 – 9, 2017

The continuing quest for unity and integration. How we are reconciling science and spirituality. Organised by The Scientific and Medical Network. Venue: De Vere Horsley Estate, Surrey.

The Ways of the Heart II: Oneness

30th October 2020 – 28th January 2021
Hosted by The Beshara Trust using the Zoom seminar platform.

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

This course is now fully subscribed but you are welcome to register your interest in further courses to: besharacourses@beshara.org

St Martin and the beggar

The Practical Wisdom of Ibn ‘Arabi

13th January – 3rd March, 2026
Tuesdays at 19:00 – 21:00 GMT (8 sessions)

Exploring Ibn ‘Arabi’s great metaphysical vision and its many implications for our conduct in everyday life. No previous knowledge is required, all texts provided.

This course is now fully booked. To join a reserve list or to receive notification of a future possible iteration of the course, email besharacourses3@beshara.org

The Reflective Heart

Weekly on Tuesdays
21:00–22:00 BST/GMT

Online study of chapters from James Morris’s, The Reflective Heart: Discovering Spiritual Intelligence in Ibn ‘Arabi’s Meccan Illuminations.

Cordoba mosque interior

An Introduction to Ibn ‘Arabi Study

Mondays 19:00–21:00 GMT
Fortnightly Zoom sessions

This study series is an introduction to Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi’s story and perspective studying The Unlimited Mercifier by Stephen Hirtenstein. The scope of this illuminating book embraces both the inner and outer aspects of Ibn ‘Arabi’s life as each mirrors the other.

The group is underway but is open to anyone interested in joining as each session is fresh and unique in itself.

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

The Chisholme Institute

Discovering Unity: weekend retreat

8 – 10 September 2017
Chisholme Institute, Scottish Borders, UK

Explore your deeper questions with others during a weekend of group study, discussion and conversation.

Open Meetings

Saturday 22nd March, 2025
9:00am–10:00am GMT

Inspired by the turn out at the recent open meetings, we are pleased to invite you to our next online Open Meeting. This meeting will give priority to our friends in Australia and the Asia Pacific before we open up the space to continue the conversation with everyone else.