Notes from the Underworld

March 23, 2019 (2–5pm)
The October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AL

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

Event Description

“Striving for life, I seek death, seeking death, I find life”
William Shakespeare
(Measure for Measure, Act 3 Scene 1)

With Janet Bowers: an ongoing inquiry into the meaning of life and death has led me to wisdoms found through myths and archetypes, psychological aspects, existentialism and spiritual metaphysics and, above all, an experiential journey into being, and a radical new perspective.

Janet Bowers is a Core Process Psychotherapist and supervisor in private practice. Over many years she has been a student of the Beshara School with a particular emphasis on the study of Ibn ’Arabi. She is based in London.

Booking & Fees

Cost: £8 + registration fee from Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/notes-from-the-underworld-tickets-53783630286

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/296895577634328

Entry by ticket – refreshments provided

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

The Twenty-Nine Pages

8th September, 2021 – 24th November, 2021

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.

Contact: besharacourses@beshara.org

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.

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.

Neoplatonism and the Islamic Tradition

Saturday, December 3rd 2022
14:00 – 17:00 GMT
The October Gallery, London, UK

The teachings of Plotinus and his followers, known today as ‘Neoplatonism’, became the dominant philosophy of Late Antiquity. Neoplatonism represents a common heritage shared by the cultures which arose out of the three monotheist religions. Its legacy bridges the divide between East and West, North and South. This presentation examines the question of the degree to which the Islamic tradition bears the imprint of Neoplatonism.

Seminar led by Stefan Sperl, Emeritus Professor at SOAS

The Ways of the Heart II: Oneness

14th October 2022 – 20th December 2022
20:00–21:15 BST/GMT

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

‘Truth is One but the wise speak of it differently’

(Rig Veda)

7th September 2022 – 31st May 2023

5 x 5 weekly modules over three terms. Wednesday evenings from 7-8.30pm GMT/BST

This course will introduce participants to four major traditions of human wisdom – the philosophies of ancient Greece and India, Christian wisdom and Islamic Mysticism. Students will have the opportunity to explore how these traditions might converse with one another and consider what light they have to shed on the issues the world faces today.

Contact: admin@beshara.org

Contemplation of the Holy Mysteries

Contemplation of the Holy Mysteries

Weekly on Saturdays (starting March 2026)
13:30–15:30 GMT online via Zoom

An opportunity to study and explore a recent translation of a seminal work of Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi: Contemplation of the Holy Mysteries.

Contact: Michael Cohen, london@beshara.org

Exploring the Meaning of Service in the Context of Self Knowledge

23rd July 2023 & 30th July 2023
(Sundays) 13:00–14:30 PDT

Two online sessions reading, discussing and contemplating short papers in the light of this title.

Poetics of Science: Inspiration

Poetics of Science: Inspiration

April 21 – 23, 2017

The first of three seminar weekends at the Chisholme Institute; interactive presentations and workshops with speakers from diverse backgrounds, films and music nights.

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

Open meeting, people sat together on the ground in a circle

Open Meetings

Monday 13th April, 2026
From 17:30 BST

An ongoing open, creative discussion space and e-gathering for sharing thoughts and contributing to the development of Beshara. Please join us in exchanging ideas, having meaningful discussions, the chance to be heard and the chance to listen and for understanding to develop and flourish.

Alighting and Entering 21

Alighting and Entering Weekly on Sundays from 29th August, 202119:00 – 21:30 AEST An online study course run by a member of Beshara Australia exploring the theme of aim and intention in the search for spiritual knowledge through the unity of existence.   Course...