What is Beshara?

July 13, 2019 (2pm – 5pm)
The October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AL

An afternoon exploring the meaning and principles of Beshara. Open to all.

Event Description

You are warmly invited to an afternoon at the October Gallery during which we will explore the meaning and principles of Beshara.

The word Beshara has its origins in Aramaic, and through the centuries and in the instant conveys the good news that there is in the whole of existence only one, single and unique absolute reality, and that humanity is the place of its self-expression.  

The news of Beshara is therefore an ever-emergent sweetness, carrying within it the foretelling of a happy event. This joy which is intimated as an omen of something happening in the future doesn’t belong to anybody. Neither teachers nor sects nor dogma is involved, and as soon as we think we know it, it presents itself as more than that which we knew.  

Please come and participate in this open afternoon of questioning and collective self-discovery.

Booking & Fees

Cost: £8 + registration fee from Eventbrite

Entry by ticket.

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

A monument at Chisholme House dedicated to the reality of being human and our potential.

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.

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

Open Meetings

Monday 13th & 27th January, 2025
Monday 10th & 24th February, 2025
18:30–19:30 GMT

Are you interested in sharing your thoughts and in contributing to the development of Beshara? We are excited to invite you to a series of four fortnightly online Open Meetings launching in January 2025.

Notes from the Underworld

May 25, 2019 (2–4pm)
The Cornucopia Room, Scottish Borders
and
June 1, 2019 (2.30–4.30pm)
Mulberry House, Edinburgh

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

The Ways of the Heart II: Oneness

Weekly on Fridays
7th October 2022 – 13th December 2022
19:00–20:30 AEDT

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

Coming to Know Edwin Muir

November 10, 2018 (2–5pm)
The October Gallery, London

Contemplative study of a few poems by the 20th Century Scottish Poet Edwin Muir

Speaker: Robert-Louis Abrahamson

The Ways of the Heart I

25th February – 19th May 2022

The One Calling the Many: the first Ways of the Heart course exploring a spiritual life and unified perspective in the contemporary world.

NB. This course will be held at GMT.

Contact: besharacourses@beshara.org

The Ways of the Heart IV: Praise and Service

21st November – 19th December 2024
Thursdays, 19:30 – 21:00 GMT

A new 28-day intensive online course combining daily (individual or group) meditation, study and contemplation.

Bewildered: The Mystical Love Poetry of Ibn ‘Arabi

February 16, 2019 (2–5pm)
The October Gallery, London

Introducing a new English translation of Ibn ‘Arabi’s extraordinary cycle of mystical poetry Tarjumān al-Ashwāq (Translation of Desires) with publisher, Simone Fattal.

Why are young people lonelier than ever and what can be done about it?

Saturday 20th September 2025
14:00–17:00 BST
The October Gallery, London

This interactive presentation will discuss findings from research with young people about loneliness. It will also put forward possible solutions that can help diminish  loneliness in this demographic.

Contact: Michael Cohen  london@beshara.org