February 24-26: Oblate Retreat Centre, Crewe, England:

Fifty Ways to Find the Beloved:

The Many Colours of Sufi Zikr and Meditation

with Tansen Philip O'Donohoe and Saadi Shakur Chishti

Murshid Samuel Lewis wrote extensively on zikr, the Sufi practice of remembering our original and truest nature. In one of his unpublished books, he describes nearly 50 methods of doing the practice, with attunements to various sacred names, elements, planets, symbols and messengers. However, as Murshid writes, "the papers are best appreciated after realisation." And this can only be done by experience, not by reading.

This year Saadi and Tansen will be building on the practices and experiences shared in previous years at Crewe by going deeper into the many colours, textures and flavours of zikr. One only needs one for realisation. However, in another sense, each invites us to open to another deeper or richer aspect of our inner ecology. As usual, we will also share Dances of Universal Peace, walking meditation, chant, breath practice and contemplation. All interweave to create an experience of renewed energy, joy and balance.

Contact: Tansen. Tel 01258 818067. Email: mail@philipodonohoe.co.uk

March 8-12: Centurion nr Pretoria, South Africa:

“Celebrating the Delights of Life”:

13th Annual Conference of the Academy of Self Knowledge

Presenters to include: Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri, Dr Ali Allawi (UK), Shaykh Kabir Helminski (USA); Shaykh Hosam Raouf (UK), Shaykh Saadi Shakur Chishti (UK) and other international and local speakers who will attempt to highlight the various avenues of sacred expression in celebration of the Divine.

“The objective of this, our 13th Annual Conference, would be to allow the visitor to appreciate and experience the beauty of creative expression, and in conjunction with various countries showcased, the underlying unity of all mankind, in its pursuit of the sacred itself. With this outcome, we hope that a reminder of the all-encompassing Creator as inspiration of creativity would be experienced and appreciated too.”

Contact: AbuBakr Karolia, email: abkarolia@telkomsa.net or  www.askonline.co.za

March 16-18: Fluehli Ranf, Switzerland:

Renewing Creation and Deepening in Wisdom:

The Aramaic Lord's Prayer

During the 30th anniversary of the Aramaic Prayer cycle of meditation and dances, we will celebrate the depth of teaching from Yeshua as it has revealed itself in his native Aramaic language. Drawing from meditations, stories, body prayers, Dances of Universal Peace and walking meditation, we will deepen in our own process of touching the depths of the soul-wisdom within us. The retreat will include new and old work from all of Neil's books and recordings, and is open to all, without prior experience. Only an open heart and mind, ready to move and dance with the One, are necessary. In German language.

Contact: Barbara  Küng, Tel. 41 (0)41 921 20 41 or

Regina Gerber, Email: regina.gerber@bluemail.ch

March 22-25: Othona Community, Bridport, Dorset, England

The Aramaic Jesus and the Sufis: Shared Paths of the Heart

Jesus' words, viewed through Aramaic eyes, reveal many aspects of his original way of prayer, contemplation and spiritual practice. Many of these carried over to ancient Arabic Christianity and into the early history of Islam. Historically, early Islam had a close relationship with Aramaic and Arabic Christianity, which share the same emphasis on the mystical and spiritual side of Jesus' teaching. Within the larger community of Islam, the Sufis expressed this mystical side, used some of the same practices and told many stories about Jesus, whom they still hold in high respect. As we explore this relationship, we aim to help build bridges between the differences we perceive within and between us.

This three-day workshop will feature chant (in Aramaic and Arabic), Sufi stories, meditation and movement, Dances of Universal Peace and Sufi zikr focused on the shared prayers of the heart that connect the Aramaic Jesus and the Sufis. Jesus' wisdom teachings are still as relevant today as when he first said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." We love the neighbor within as we become more fully human, exploring the full potential of our power and love. This naturally expresses itself in a more vivid and enlivened daily life. Resources for this retreat will include the author's books The Sufi Book of Life, Blessings of the Cosmos and The Tent of Abraham.

Contact: Othona Centre, mail@othona-bb.org.uk Tel. +44 (0)1308

897130 Website: www.othona-bb.org.uk

April 5 - 8: Finkenwerde, nr Berlin, Germany:

Resurrecting Life and Creation: Easter Aramaic Jesus Retreat

with Sophia Gita Onnen and Saadi Shakur Chishti 

During the 30th anniversary of the Aramaic Prayer cycle, we will celebrate the depth of teaching from Yeshua as it has revealed itself in his native Aramaic language. We will also share meditations, Sufi stories, body prayers, Dances of Universal Peace, walking meditation and Soulwork,  as we deepen in our own process of touching the depths of the wisdom within us.

As part of the process, we will share a day of silence and meditation with the Aramaic Prayer cycle, which will also include parallel practices from the "99 Beautiful Names" of the Sufis." No experience is necessary and all are welcome. In German and English.

Contact: Gita Onnen, Tel. 49-(0)30-791-5211 and Anapurna von Kugelgen,  Tel. 49-(0)30-313-9163.  Email: brita.v.k@gmx.net

April 12-15: Proctor Center, near Columbus, OH, USA.

The Abwoon Interspiritual Leadership Program:

Module 8: Reunion and New Directions

This is a retreat for graduates of the Abwoon Interspiritual Leadership Program and is a closed retreat.

Contact: Mariam Weidner, mariamweidner@gmail.com

April 19- 22: Proctor Center, near Columbus, OH, USA

The Abwoon Interspiritual Leadership Program:

Module 3: The Aramaic Beatitudes of Yeshua

Deepening and leadership retreat for those interested in sharing the Aramaic Beatitudes of Jesus in the context of building interspiritual communities and ministry, as well as retreat work. Deepening for those wanting to establish a personal spiritual practice. Leadership training in body prayer, contemplation, chant, voice, walking meditation and the Dances of Universal Peace connected to this work. Special focus of this retreat is leadership guidance for the dances associated with the Aramaic Beatitudes and for the related body prayers in Prayers of the Cosmos and Blessings of the Cosmos. This is a three and a half year program, with limited enrollment, which began in spring 2011. This retreat is open to a limited number of participants who are not enrolled in the entire leadership program. Prior reading and an application form are required. See full information on the program at www.abwoon.com

Contact: the Rev. Elizabeth Reed, Shalem Center, Tel. 614-441-9773, Email: munira@abwoon.com

May 5-6: London Centre for Spirituality, London, England:

The "I Am" Way: Last Teachings of the Aramaic Jesus

The "I Am" sayings of Jesus--"I am the bread of life," "I am the way, the truth and the life" and similar sayings--appear in the Gospel of John. In the story told there, Jesus begins to use these expressions about a year before he leaves his disciples. While often viewed as Jesus referring to himself in some exclusive way, these teachings are much more subtle and aim to help his disciples connect to their own source of guidance, through him,after he has left. Viewed through his native Aramaic languge, these are some of Yeshua's most important teachings, which we fine also in his prayer and Beatitudes. Yet in this final summary, we hear them in a new way, with even more urgency for us to find our own inner voice of guidance connected to that of Alaha (the Aramaic word for "God" or "Sacred Unity." Through stories, parables, teachings of his last year, we listen with Aramaic ears and chant, pray and meditate with him, in order to strengthen our own sense of guidance, renewal, life energy and healing.

Contact: London Centre for Spirituality, Tel. 020 7621 1391, www.spiritualitycentre.org Email: info@spiritualitycentre.org

May 10-13: Golzow, nr Berlin, Germany

The Abwoon Interspiritual Leadership Program:

Module 3: The Aramaic Beatitudes of Yeshua

Deepening and leadership retreat for those interested in sharing the Aramaic Beatitudes of Jesus in the context of building interspiritual communities and ministry, as well as retreat work. Deepening for those wanting to establish a personal spiritual practice. Leadership training in body prayer, contemplation, chant, voice, walking meditation and the Dances of Universal Peace connected to this work. Special focus of this retreat is leadership guidance for the dances associated with the Aramaic Beatitudes and for the related body prayers in Prayers of the Cosmos and Blessings of the Cosmos. This is a three and a half year program, with enrollment limited to 25 people that began in spring 2011. Depending on numbers, the retreat may be open to a limited number of participants who are not enrolled in the entire leadership program. See full description of the program, in German and English, at www.eial.org. Prior reading and an application form are required for the program. The program will be conducted in German and English language.

Contact: For information and application: www.eial.org/AILPDeutschland.htm or email: leadership@eial.org

May 25-26, Istanbul, Turkey:

Healing Pathways of the Heart

in the Middle Eastern Mystical Traditions

In the Middle Eastern mystical traditions, healing begins by finding our way back into contact with qualities of the divine seeded in us at the beginning of time, when we were all in the heart of the Beloved. This workshop will focus on healing resources from the rich treasure of the "pathways of the heart" found in these traditions, ranging from the ancient Egyptian, Babylonian and Hebrew, through the Aramaic language teachings of Jesus through to the Sufi practice of the 99 Beautiful Names (Asmaa ul Husna). It is held in conjunction with the Turkish translation of The Sufi Book of Life ("Sufi'nin Hayat Rehberi").

The focus for this workshop will be on the many pathways that deal with strength, renewal, releasing, trust, and increasing clarity in relationship with one's inner healing guidance in connection with the One. As resources we will use chant, heart meditation, walking meditation, body prayer, teaching stories, and forms of sacred movement and body awareness common to many Middle Eastern mystical traditions. The workshop will include a modern form of interfaith devotional movement called the Dances of Universal Peace. We will also experience the healing ritual of Hazrat Inayat Khan (1886-1927), a group meditation to send healing to those who have requested it.

The retreat aims to guide participants through a process that promotes freedom, growth and joy along with a better understanding of oneself and others, no matter what their religious or spiritual tradition. It is open to all and does not require prior experience with meditation.

Contact: Banu Alagoz banu.alagoz@gmail.com

June 30-July 7: near Hamburg, Germany:

2012 European Summer School of the Sufi Ruhaniat

Light of Beauty: The Sufi Way of Recreating Ourselves

The annual Summer School includes many elements:

*Classes for those on the Sufi path—beginners, middle and more advanced (including Sufi guides);

*Introduction to the Sufi lineage of Hazrat Inayat Khan, Pir Murshid Samuel Lewis and Murshid Moineddin Jablonski—for those exploring taking up Sufi practice;

*Classes this year include: Art and Creativity through Music, Breath, Walk and Dance, Healing and the Art of Personality, Rumi’s Path to Realization, Sufi Poetry and more. Special Guest: Murshida Fatima Lassar;

*Guided retreat processes using Dances of Universal Peace, Sufi zikr and wazifa (mantric practice), walking meditation, body awareness  and contemplation, Sufi Soulwork, Sufi healing practice, silence and Sufi teaching stories;

*A wonderful way to experience and share practice with the main Ruhaniat Sufi guides in Europe;

*Joyous community with seekers from a dozen countries and languages—“eating, dancing and praying together”

For hundreds of years, the Chishti Sufi lineage has used music, dance, poetry and the creative arts to embody and express spiritual practice. Hazrat Inayat Khan and Murshid Samuel Lewis both emphasize using these tools for the constant alchemical refinement of the self. The deeper side of creativity is not producing "objects," "works," or "compositions," but re-creating ourselves.

We will explore this rich vein of teaching and practice from our lineage during this year's summer school. We welcome back Murshid Fatima Lassar from the USA, one of the original students of Murshid Samuel Lewis. Murshida Fatima will be sharing from her unique experience and wisdom in this area, including teachings for our initiators' class on sharing the light of the glance through the practice called tawwajjehi in the Sufi tradition (or darshan in the yoga tradition).

Our main teaching staff will again include the main Ruhaniat Sufi guides and initiators in Europe:  Murshida Gita Sophia, Murshid Tansen, Murshida Baraka, Sheikh Jelaluddin, Sheikha Rahmana, Sheikha Alima and Sheikh(a)s Wali and Arienne, Sheikha Rafia, Zubin Westrick and myself. If you wish to explore the Sufi path, the Summer School is a good place to start. The variety of classes as well as the relaxed, informal atmosphere and sharing with people from many different lands is invigorating. If you are steadily traveling the path and encountering challenges (as we all do), you can find here both guidance and a company of fellow travellers with open hearts and arms ready to embace you. We hope you can join us! –Neil Douglas-Klotz

Contact: Edmund Dixon: edmunddixon@yahoo.co.uk

Registration: Qadima Sabine Brandt, Tel. 49-(0)30-47036782. Email: qadima@sufiruhaniat.eu

See also the Sufi Ruhaniat European website at www.ruhaniateurope.org

August 31 – September 2, 2012 Boise, ID, USA

I AM: The Hidden Teachings of the Aramaic Jesus

with Neil Douglas-Klotz

Perhaps the most essential teachings given to us by Jesus came in the final year of his life on earth. Known as the "I AM" statements and found only in the Gospel of John and the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, these radical truths were offered to connect each one of us to the original source of Jesus' deeper power. But to fully understand and embody these profound insights, we must hear them in Jesus' native tongue.

While often viewed as Jesus referring to himself in some exclusive way, these "I Am" teachings are much more subtle and aim to help his disciples connect to their own source of guidance, through him, after he has left. Viewed through his native Aramaic language, these are some of Yeshua's most important teachings, which we find also in his prayer (known as The Lord’s Prayer) and Beatitudes. Yet in this final summary, we hear them in a new way, with even more urgency for us to find our own inner voice of guidance connected to that of Alaha (the Aramaic word for "God" or "Sacred Unity.") Through stories, parables, teachings of his last year, we will listen with Aramaic ears and chant, pray and meditate with him, in order to strengthen our own sense of guidance, renewal, life energy and healing. Included will be many new chants and Dances of Universal Peace from Neil's recent work with the Gospels of John and Thomas.

This seminar is based on the new Sounds True program "I AM: The Secret Teachings of the Aramaic Jesus" by Neil Douglas-Klotz, to be released in March 2012.

Cost of the seminar: $150. “early bird” $175. after July 20. Full refund (minus $15.) up to Aug. 30. Some partial work-exchange scholarships available. Checks payable to Shalem Center

Contact: Constance Heidenreich – Registrar. Email: cturtle@imt.net
Tel. 406-245-8358. 1022 N 30th St., Billings, MT 59101

September 6-9: nr Proctor Centre, nr Columbus, OH, USA:

The Abwoon Interspiritual Leadership Program:

Module 4: Genesis Now! The Original Meditations of the Aramaic Jesus.

Deepening and leadership retreat for those interested in sharing meditation, Dance and spiritual practice related to the shared creation tradition articulated in the books The Genesis Meditations and Desert Wisdom in the context of building interspiritual communities and ministry, as well as retreat work. This includes especially the the Genesis cycle of dances/chants (published on the CD Beginnings) and the Genesis daylong retreat. It also includes deepening for those wanting to establish a personal spiritual practice with this material. The three-year course also includes leadership training in body prayer, contemplation, chant, voice, walking meditation and the Dances of Universal Peace connected to this work. See full description of the program in the Abwoon newsletter and online at www.abwoon.com. This retreat is open to a limited number participants who are not enrolled in the entire leadership program. Prior reading and an application form are required.

Contact: the Rev. Elizabeth Reed, Shalem Center, Tel. 614-441-9773, Email: munira@abwoon.com

September 13-16: North Central MA (nr Boston):

The Soul of Inner Silence:
Sufi Meditation, Zikr and Zen
according to the teaching of Murshid Samuel L. Lewis
Saadi Neil Douglas-Klotz with Halima and Abraham Sussman

The world's spiritual and healing traditions approach silence in various ways and under different names--meditation, contemplation, awareness, centering or body prayer, sitting zen, self-observation and stress relief--to name a few. All aim to bring us, more and more, into the present moment. Ultimately, being able to find our way more easily into a compassionate, inner silence can help us to attain more understanding, joy and empowerment in life.

In this retreat, we will explore the practices and teachings of Murshid Samuel Lewis on meditation, as he experienced it in the Sufi, Zen and Christian traditions. The practices Murshid S.A.M. suggests can help us to enter the soul of silence in a new way. Moving Zikr, Dances of Universal Peace, and Walking Meditation will also help us to experience “meditation with open eyes” in order to bring conscious transformation into our everyday lives.



“If a person closes his eyes and sits doing nothing, he may just as well go to sleep. Meditation is not only an exercise to be practiced; in meditation the soul is charged with new light and life, with inspiration and vigor; in meditation there is every kind of blessing.”
--Hazrat Inayat Khan
For Sufi mureeds, with the permission of their guides, plus others by special permission (including all graduates of the Abwoon Interspiritual Leadership Program). Limit of 40. Early registration encouraged.

Cost of the Retreat $395 (with indoor accomodations,if available); $300 ( for tenters). A deposit of $150 can be sent to SOMA, 6 Upton St., Cambridge MA 02139 USA. The full fee is due before June 1, 2012. Tenting is encouraged, and there are many lovely tentsites in the forest and in a field. September in Massachusetts is usually very pleasant and mild For those who cannot tent, or prefer not to tent, there are some indoor accomadations available, dormitory style, in an old farmhouse. There is also a simple motel, a 15 minute drive away.

Contact: Abraham Sussman: abraham.sussman@gmail.com
phone:1-617-876-5272

September 27-30: Hof Ruckhardtshausen, nr Öhringen, Germany:

The Abwoon Interspiritual Leadership Program:

Module 4: Genesis Now! The Original Meditations of the Aramaic Jesus.

Deepening and leadership retreat for those interested in sharing meditation, Dance and spiritual practice related to the shared creation tradition articulated in the books The Genesis Meditations and Desert Wisdom in the context of building interspiritual communities and ministry, as well as retreat work. This includes especially the the Genesis cycle of dances/chants (published on the CD Beginnings) and the Genesis daylong retreat. It also includes deepening for those wanting to establish a personal spiritual practice with this material. The three-year course also includes leadership training in body prayer, contemplation, chant, voice, walking meditation and the Dances of Universal Peace connected to this work.

This is a three and a half year program, with enrollment limited to 25 people. See full description of the program, in German and English, at www.eial.org. There may be space for individuals who wish to take each module on an individual basis. Prior reading and an application form are required for the program. The program will be conducted in German and English language.