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

Ibn ‘Arabi Study Afternoon

December 1, 2018 (2–5pm)
The October Gallery, London

An afternoon seminar studying the chapter on ‘The Wisdom of Being in the Word of David’ from Ibn ‘Arabi’s Fusus al-Hikam (The Bezels of Wisdom).

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.

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.

Ibn ‘Arabi Study Retreat: The Secrets of Voyaging

July 8 – 15, 2017
Chisholme Institute, Scottish Borders, UK

‘In reality, we never cease from journeying from the moment we and our origins are constituted, ad infinitum.’

The Ways of the Heart

September – December 2018
Hosted by The Beshara Trust

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

Fusus al-Hikam Study Sessions

Weekly on Tuesdays from 8th March, 2022
19:00–20:00 (AEDT)

A reading group for online study of the Fusus al-Hikam by Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi, volumes 1-4. Participants will be able to join in as they wish.

Contact: markvtemple@gmail.com

Fusus al-Hikam Study

Weekly on Sundays from 12th October 2025
13:00 – 14:30 PDT   (21:00 – 22:30 GMT)
Duration: approx. 9 weeks

US-based online group studying the Chapter on Seth from the Fusus al-Hikam by Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi, translated by Jane Clark, Stephen Hirtenstein and Cecilia Twinch.

Note: This is an existing group with a few spaces for new participants.

Contact: Maren Gleason, marengleason@gmail.com

Know Yourself

Saturday 26th April 2025
14:00–17:00 BST
The October Gallery, London

You yourself are the object of your quest

Reading and discussion of a classic explanation of the Oneness of Being, attributed to Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi and Awhad al-din Balyani and translated from the Arabic by Cecilia Twinch.

Contact: Michael Cohen, london@beshara.org

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Fables as Contemplative Wisdom

“How if this be the truth – that all are a little true?”

Sunday, 30th October 2022
15:00–16:30 GMT (online via Zoom)

Robert Louis Stevenson’s fables are little-known masterpieces by this supreme story-teller.

This online seminar is the latest in a series under the general title Unity in Diversity.

Led by Robert-Louis Abrahamson

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?

Ibn ‘Arabi Study Day

May 25, 2019 (11am–5pm)
The October Gallery, London

A day of study of the chapter on ‘The Wisdom of Beneficence in the Word of Loqman’ from Ibn ‘Arabi’s Fusus al-Hikam (The Bezels of Wisdom).

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