Month: November 2021

Posted on

Coming Spiritual Events

Friday, 5 November – Sunday, 7 November – Virtual Camp Burton Dances of Universal Peace Camp

Theme: Return to Love

Leading Team: Elizabeth Dequine and Hassan Swanson from Seattle, WA area, Zaynab Allwardt and Zahir Moree from Portland, OR area, Joanne Sales from BC, Canada.

Other regional leaders have been invited to share dances as well.

Schedule:

Friday November 5th (opening) 7:30 pm to 9 pm.

Saturday November 6th 10:00 am to 11:30 am

No Saturday afternoon dance session.

Saturday November 6th 7:30 to 9:00 pm Zikr and Zikr Dances There may be a “Late Night Jam” hosted by Zaynab

Sunday November 7th (closing) 10:00 am to 11:30 am.

Link to website and contact for more information: http://seattledancesofuniversalpeace.org/events/21_11_05_burton.htm

****************************

Saturday, 6 November 11 am – 2 pm Pacific time – Sufi Sesshin

Zikr and Silent Meditation are two time-honored methods of awakening realization of the One. During sesshin we alternate the heart opening practice of sung and spoken Zikr with silent sitting meditation. Together we join hearts and voices to reach deep into our inner life to support this realization.

Please join Murshid Allaudin O, Murshida Leilah, Pir Shabda and Pirani Tamam, Murshida Rahimah, Murshida Halima and Murshid Abraham in this affirmation of the Unity which interconnects all life.

Please prepare a dedicated space that supports your practice for the time of this short retreat.

The Zikr Zoom room will open 10 minutes early. Give yourself these few minutes to arrive and settle in so we can begin all together.

You may share this with a friend, but please do not post on social media.

Registration is not required. Dana (donation) is welcome.

Click here to give Dana
in the payment memo write “Sesshin Dana”

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85094077445?pwd=VTJXUzZuSFdxT2JxQ0FHVCt0SWU2UT09

Meeting ID:
850 9407 7445

Passcode:
Beloved

****************************

Saturday 13 November, 11 AM – 1 PM Pacific Time – Ruhaniat Family Zoom

Details will be added when available.

Posted on

Celebrating our Sacred Bodies

This is from Father Richard Rohr’s blog. We are so blessed to inhabit these miraculous bodies that carry us through our lives. As I grow older I remember that this body can’t be taken for granted, and so this poetry is particularly poignant.

Blessing the Body

Because of the way most Christians have understood the doctrine of original sin, the physical body has borne the brunt of our guilt and shame. Its needs, desires, and frailties were often labeled “sinful,” and therefore were repressed instead of affirmed and channeled in healthy and life-giving ways. In honor of the Original Goodness of our bodies, we invite you to spend time with this blessing by Jan Richardson, a writer, poet, artist, and ordained minister in the United Methodist Church.

BLESSING THE BODY

This blessing takes
one look at you
and all it can say is
holy.

Holy hands.
Holy face.
Holy feet.
Holy everything
in between.

Holy even in pain.
Holy even when weary.
In brokenness, holy.
In shame, holy still.

Holy in delight.
Holy in distress.
Holy when being born.
Holy when we lay it down
at the hour of our death.

So, friend,
open your eyes
(holy eyes).
For one moment
see what this blessing sees,
this blessing that knows
how you have been formed
and knit together
in wonder and
in love.

Welcome this blessing
that folds its hands
in prayer
when it meets you;
receive this blessing
that wants to kneel
in reverence
before you—
you who are
temple,
sanctuary,
home for God
in this world.

Experience a version of this practice through video and sound.

“Blessing the Body” © Jan Richardson from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons. Used by permission. janrichardson.com.