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

Jami: Lawa‛ih (Flashes)

Weekly from 27th August, 2022
Sundays 13:30–15:30 BST/GMT

Online study of the Lawa’ih (“Flashes”) by Jami, an exposition in poetry and prose of the Unity of Existence as expressed in the work of Ibn ‘Arabi and his school.

Akong: A Remarkable Life

November 28, 2018 (7pm)
Heart of Hawick Cinema & Theatre, Hawick, Scottish Borders

The award-winning documentary on the inspirational life of Akong Rinpoche, co-founder of the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the West, at Eskdalemuir. Introduced by Executive Producer Vin Harris, and followed by a panel discussion with Q&A. Proceeds to the Akong Memorial Foundation.

More Intimate Dialogues with Reality

Saturday 7th February 2026
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

Qualities of Love: Trust, Certainty, Patience, Resolution and Veracity

Friday to Sunday, 19th – 21st May 2023
The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire

These five qualities have been at the core of practice at Beshara and are considered essential attributes to be developed by those wishing to know themselves in order to know God.

This residential weekend will provide an opportunity to contemplate their meaning and practice through meditation, study and conversation in a tranquil setting.

Ibn Arabi and the Philosophers

Ibn ‘Arabi & the Philosophers: Reason, Revelation and Inspiration

Saturday May 6, 2017
Brunei Gallery, SOAS, London, UK

A day symposium jointly organised by the Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi Society and Professor Stefan Sperl (SOAS).

Kabbalah: The Mystic in the Marketplace

30th January, 2022
15:00 – 16:30 GMT

An online seminar via Zoom

Kabbalah, meaning ‘receive’, is a living tradition concerning life – its Source, purpose and its Divine plan. In its classical and contemporary form, the Tradition is relevant to all humanity, providing a path to Self-realisation. This online seminar will give a brief introduction to the Tradition and aim to show how the teaching is made real in the marketplace of life; providing perspective and hope for ourselves and our world.

Registration via Eventbrite

The Secret of God's Most Beautiful Names

The Secret of God’s Most Beautiful Names

Weekly from Saturday 26th April 2025 (USA) / Sunday 27th April 2025 (Australia)

Weekly on Saturdays (USA)
18:00–19:30 CDT online via Zoom

Weekly on  Sundays (Australia)
09:00–10:30 AEST online via Zoom

An opportunity to study and explore a recent translation of a seminal work of Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi. Participation is free but it will be necessary to purchase the book.

This is an existing study group timed for participants in the Pacific Rim. There is room for a few additional participants who would like to join the group.

Contact: Mary Boyd-Brent, mboydb3.11@gmail.com

The Ways of the Heart

September – December 2018
Hosted by The Beshara Trust

A 12-week themed online course using the Zoom seminar platform.

Berwick Meditation Group (UK)

Weekly on Fridays, 22nd April – 17th June, 2022
16:30 – 17:30 BST

A series of sessions exploring the practice of meditation from different traditions.

www.berwickmeditation.co.uk

The Twenty-Nine Pages

Weekly on Sundays
11th September – 27th November 2022
19:00–20:30 BST/GMT

A 12-week online course by the Beshara Trust studying The Twenty-Nine Pages, which serves as an excellent introduction to Ibn ‘Arabi’s metaphysics of Unity.

Ibn ‘Arabi Study Afternoon

July 7, 2018 (2–5pm)
The October Gallery, London, UK

An afternoon seminar on the chapter on Solomon from Ibn ‘Arabi’s Fusus al-Hikam (The Bezels of Wisdom).

The Holy Spirit in the Counselling of the Soul

September 15th – 22nd, 2018
Melbourne, Australia

A week dedicated to studying largely unpublished material by Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi. This includes an outline of a cosmological framework for understanding the place of the human being in the universe, and consequently, our correct attitude towards other living beings.