Alighting and Entering

Weekly on Sundays
19:00 – 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 Description

Each session will include silent group meditation and discussion texts, which will include The 29 Pages and The Kernel of the Kernel. Copies of the texts will be provided courtesy of Beshara Australia.

Contemplation and practices will also be offered for those who wish to do them at home in between sessions.

Each complete cycle of 12 weeks will be limited to 12 people and is particularly for people in Australia and the Asia Pacific region. Newcomers are welcome.

Further cycles will be offered and a waiting list created if/when the first cycle is full.

Further information about study activities organised by Beshara Australia can be found here: https://www.beshara.org/contact/beshara-australia

Booking

Cost: FREE via Zoom

Contact: Mark Temple at markvtemple@gmail.com

Discovering Unity Weekend Retreat

October 28 – 30, 2016

Explore deeper questions in the light of the unity of all existence. Guided group study of wisdom texts, meditation and more. Held at the Chisholme Institute.

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 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A week dedicated to studying largely unpublished material by Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi.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.

Spiritual Addresses of al-Niffari

Weekly from 3rd June, 2023
Saturdays: 13:30 – 15:30 BST

Online study and contemplation of the Spiritual Addresses by al-Niffari.

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

Scilla Elworthy

Building Peace – how can we be useful?

May 27 – 29, 2017
Chisholme Institute, Scottish Borders, UK

Peace can be built – here’s how to do it. A TED talk and workshop with Scilla Elworthy.

The Impassable Mountain Pass

Saturday February 18, 2017

A seminar exploring the heart as the midpoint between the sacred and the mundane in the teachings of Ibn ‘Arabi at the October Gallery, London.

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.

Ibn ‘Arabi Study Retreat: Abraham and Isaac

September 4 – 10, 2017
Chisholme Institute, Scottish Borders, UK

Study of chapters from Part One of the new, fully annotated translation of the ‘Fusus al-Hikam’ (2018).

Ibn ‘Arabi and the Journey Within

February 22nd, 2020 (2–5pm)
The October Gallery, London UK

A seminar and interactive discussion with Rim Feriani exploring the meaning of ‘the journey’ in passages from selected works by Ibn ‘Arabi.

Dante and Virgil approach the river Acheron; Charon raises an oar against a group of souls; Charon ferries souls; Charon ferries Dante and Virgil; a monk

Going Through Hell

A Guide to Dante’s Inferno for the Intrepid Traveller

Saturday 25th July 2026
14:00–17:00 BST
The October Gallery, London

A talk by Robert-Louis Abrahamson.

Contact: Michael Cohen  london@beshara.org

‘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