Still room in our next “Before You Go” end of life planning workshop

There is still room in our next “Before You Go” End of Life planning workshop. Please spread the word. Anyone over 18 years of age will benefit from having these ducks linear!😘

Our next Before You Go End of Life Planning workshop will be on Zoom beginning at 3:30 PM Pacific Time on Tuesday 17 September.

“We’re all going to die and we don’t know when…” says my friend and mentor Rev. Bodhi Be who runs perhaps the only non-profit Funeral Home.

Given that important and poignant truth, there are many things we can do to prepare ourselves and to save our loved ones time and stress when that time comes for all of us.

In this class, we will consider the myriad choices, documentation, records, etc. one can prepare beforehand and get a good start on those preparations.

There are many similar and excellent courses available. However, in this class, we will explore the legal documentation, practical considerations, relational networks, wishes for your memorial and your body’s disposition, and much more. All of this information is valuable to anyone regardless of age or state of health.

Register for this online Zoom class here: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcudeusrz4iE9PRto7eWqqYX-rCT_UJ1FpZ

Payment is sliding scale ($20 – $100) and can be sent to @drmatthewsusa via either Venmo or PayPal or CashApp. You can also contact me (drmatthewsusa@gmail.com) if you need to arrange alternate payment methods.

Upcoming Spiritual Events

16 April – Dances of Universal Peace – online – 2-3:30 PM Pacific Time
Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87209296724?pwd=OVB5QWwzc1ExZXFNNm5PcmJqbFF6UT09

24 April – Film Screening – Youth v Gov. 2-4 PM Pacific Time

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrcOmqpjwiHtxn8UITGSRuymHjUiDnROqo

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

1 May – Dances of Universal Peace in person – 4-6 PM Pacific Time
Good Shepherd Center4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103, USA

12 May – Puget Sound Area Zikr – online – 7-9 PM Pacific Time
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86147032684?pwd=Q3ZXbmh6dWZUVUt4L0JScThvbTMvQT09
Meeting ID: 861 4703 2684
Passcode: BELOVED

Ongoing Ruhaniat Sufi Events Calendar

There are many different opportunities for online Zikr, Dance, Retreats, etc that can be found on the Ruhaniat Sufi Events Calendar here:

https://ruhaniat.groups.io/g/announcements/calendar

Ongoing Inayatiyya Events Calendar

And our sibling Sufi organization the Inayatiyya also posts a calendar with many different opportunities to deepen your spiritual practice. You can find their calendar here:

Coming Spiritual Events

A couple of very compelling events have popped up that I wanted to be sure to let all of you know about instead of waiting till my next summary blog.

15 December – Aramaic Lord’s Prayer- Part 1 – 7:30 PM Pacific Time

We will be offering the first half of the Aramaic Lord’s prayer.

When Jesus, or Yeshua in his own native language, was asked how to pray, the Aramaic words he offered, were far richer and denser in meaning than can be easily conveyed in English translation. We will be chanting those words, with multiple translations, and dancing the first half of the prayer, using movements that were inspired by movement practices of Middle Eastern mystics over the centuries.

Here is the Zoom link

Meeting ID: 835 6970 1210   /   Password: 4180867191

19 December – Blue Holiday Gathering Online – 5:00 PM Pacific Time

The Interfaith Chaplaincy Institute where I attended seminary is hosting this event where they acknowledge that “everything belongs”.

It will be a Blue Christmas/Solstice/Festival of Lights service, acknowledging that this season can be difficult for some of us.

I will be sharing a Dance of Universal Peace and there will be poetry, prayer, meditation, and music in this relatively short and sweet time together. All are welcome.

Register here:
 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rdO2opj0jHdZcrLpbIwoqiG2IX1lH1j0B

Light IS Returning

Ongoing Ruhaniat Sufi Events Calendar

There are many different opportunities for online Zikr, Dance, Retreats, etc that can be found on the Ruhaniat Sufi Events Calendar here:

https://ruhaniat.groups.io/g/announcements/calendar

Ongoing Inayatiyya Events Calendar

And our sibling Sufi organization the Inayatiyya also posts a calendar with many different opportunities to deepen your spiritual practice. You can find their calendar here:

https://inayatiyya.org/event-calendar/

Coming Spiritual Events

Friday 3 December – Sunday 5 December – Screening of Mission:Joy

This screening of MIssion:Joy, a deeply moving and laugh-out-loud funny movie, has been arranged for the Ruhaniat Order and anyone else who is interested. In this wonderful film, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu share science-backed wisdom of how to live with joy in troubled times. You can find more details about the movie here: http://www.thefilmcollaborative.org/films/missionjoy

Check back here for details on where to watch our special screening of the movie with us or go to the Ruhaniat Calendar that will have details as soon as we receive them.

Tuesday 7 December – Spirituality in the 21st Century – 7-8:30 PM Pacific Time
A Monthly Forum Dedicated to Connection, Practice, and Renewal

Join us to explore how an array of spiritual practitioners are synthesizing traditional spiritual paths to meet the needs of our time. Each meeting features a guest who will introduce their
spiritual orientation and lead us in a practice. We will end with open dialogue and reflection. The purpose of these gatherings is to foster a sense of community and to revitalize and renew ourselves beyond a classroom setting.

Randy Morris, professor emeritus and founder of Spiritual Studies at AUS will guide our inaugural meeting.

Zoom Link: https://antioch.zoom.us/j/94543744740

Open to Antioch students, alumni, and anyone interested in sharing this experience.

15 December – Aramaic Lord’s Prayer- Part 1 – 7:30 PM Pacific Time

We will be offering the first half of the Aramaic Lord’s prayer.

When Jesus, or Yeshua in his own native language, was asked how to pray, the Aramaic words he offered, were far richer and denser in meaning than can be easily conveyed in English translation. We will be chanting those words, with multiple translations, and dancing the first half of the prayer, using movements that were inspired by movement practices of Middle Eastern mystics over the centuries.

Save the date. The Zoom link will be forthcoming!

Ongoing Ruhaniat Sufi Events Calendar

There are many different opportunities for online Zikr, Dance, Retreats, etc that can be found on the Ruhaniat Sufi Events Calendar here:

https://ruhaniat.groups.io/g/announcements/calendar

Ongoing Inayatiyya Events Calendar

And our sibling Sufi organization the Inayatiyya also posts a calendar with many different opportunities to deepen your spiritual practice. You can find their calendar here:

https://inayatiyya.org/event-calendar/

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.

Coming Spiritual Events

Sunday, 31 October 2 pm – 4:30 pm Pacific time – Annual Multi-Faith Summit presented by Seattle Interfaith Community Sanctuary, Northwest Interfaith, and many local spiritual groups.

This year’s theme is: “Climate Change: Extinction Level Threats and Hopeful Solutions.”

During this Zoom event, we will integrate faith, science, and sacred activism through panel discussions and lively breakout sessions centered around various local climate action groups, all with a strong spiritual foundation. Our main goal is to give people a chance to gain new tools and to inspire people into collective, positive action for a brighter future. We hope to invigorate each participant to move forward in specific ways to carry on the work ahead.

You can find More Information Here and Pre-Register Here. This is a free event, although donations are gratefully accepted and pre-registration is required.

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

Coming Spiritual Events

I want to acknowledge that this effort has been taking a back burner lately and that it has been a while since I posted events. And blog posts have been fewer as well. Perhaps it can begin to rise up in my priorities again. Send your prayers and I’ll see what happens!

There are a some wonderful events coming in the next little while that I wanted to share:

Saturday – 16 October at 11 AM – online – Ruhaniat Family Zoom featuring the ZIRAAT COUNCIL presenting FANA-FI-GAIA

In the words of Hazrat Inayat Khan “There is one Holy Book, the sacred manuscript of nature, the only scripture which can enlighten the reader.”

Ziraat means holding in our hearts the harmony, sustainability, and balance of the whole planet and bringing this awareness actively into our everyday lives.
For further information about the Ziraat Council see https://www.ruhaniat.org/index.php/ziraat-2.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83268947415?pwd=a1pzNzJYQkRUV0MzY3dDUVY3V3lUUT09
Meeting ID: 832 6894 7415
Password: 787082

Saturday – 16 October at 3 PM – for those who are local to the Seattle area –
Our final pop-up in-person park peace dance will occur.   We will meet at the usual place in the good shepherd/Meridian Park (4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103), at the gazebo between the pea patch and the bathrooms.   Leaders and musicians, please come half an hour early to get things organized.    Please email Elizabeth Dequine (edequine@gmail.com) if you have any questions!   We have had such joy at these outdoor dances, sharing this beautiful practice, our voices, and our hearts.   Please bring a mask to keep us all safe.

Wednesday – 20 October at 7:30 PM
Please join us (virtual doors open at 7:15) for our Seattle Dances of Universal Peace.

We will be celebrating the Way of the Heart and our Deep Connection to the Divine. Jennifer Nagel will be leading together with Wakil David Matthews and Raphaela Wendy Zieve.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83569701210?pwd=MXl3RDhRUFhSeUxyREprMEdvRzVJUT09

Meeting ID: 835 6970 1210
Passcode: dancepeace
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,83569701210#,,,,*4180867191# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,83569701210#,,,,*4180867191# US (Houston)

Coming Spiritual Events

All are welcome to join any of these events.

Thursday 6 May – Seattle Area Ruhaniat Zikr and Healing – 6:30 PM PDT

Dervish Healing order healing service begins at 6:30, Zikr at 7, followed by some socialization time.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86066242148?pwd=VEwzVCtBbzd0cEllUEU2YmdadmRTdz09

Meeting ID: 860 6624 2148
Passcode: 353918

Friday 7 May – 100th year Anniversary Jubilee Universal Worship Service – 7 PM PDT

Our local Seattle area Cherags (Sufi Interfaith Ministers) will create a service celebrating the universality of all religions. Similar services will be taking place around the world to acknowledge and honor the gift of this ritual of universal worship given to us by Hazrat Inayat Khan 100 years ago.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89937734222?pwd=UmNqTTR1ZmtnbHMxT3RoMHdYMGNSdz09

Meeting ID: 899 3773 4222
Passcode: 558202

Saturday 8 April – Ruhaniat Family Zoom – 11 AM PDT

Save the date/time for now. Come back to this post for details which I will update as they arrive.

Coming Spiritual Events

28 March – Whidbey Zoom Zikr – 5:30 PM Pacific Time

All are welcome – Sacred movement and chant.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83729791342?pwd=a1JjbnBERTRHcXlNRWZvNDBMNFRRZz09

Meeting ID: 837 2979 1342
Passcode: 443092

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

1 April – Seattle Area Ruhaniat Zikr & Healing Service – 6:30 PM Pacific Time

From Murshida Khadija:

“Let us, in spite of what occurs before our eyes,
Invoke that same Divine Spirit through love and beauty,
That we may restore order and balance to humanity.”
Sufi Murshid SAMUEL L. LEWIS

HEALING SERVICE  6:30 pm • ZIKR  7 pm

ZIKR & HEALING SERVICE
Sacred Sufi Practice of Remembrance

“Although we seem to be in a world of song and dance,
we are most concerned with peace on earth.”
Sufi Murshid SAMUEL L. LEWIS

JOIN ZOOM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81518155091?pwd=blR1Mk9uaW4zMG1oN1BVbmx3WTRMQT09

MEETING ID 815 1815 5091
PASSCODE 657233

“I don’t care what brand of religion you follow,
the heart in all of us is One.”
JOE MILLER

INFORMATION (206) 850-2111 • halway@comcast.net

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

3 April – Ruhaniat Family Zoom – 11 AM Pacific Time

From Pir Shabda,

THE BLESSING OF ELDERS
MURSHIDA ASHA GREER
Photo of Asha by Saul Baradofsky on a recent visit
Beloved Family,

Please join Pirani Tamam and myself in welcoming Murshida Asha Greer as our presenter for the next Ruhaniat Family ZOOM Gathering.

What a milestone and how appropriate that Murshida Asha will initiate year two of the Ruhaniat Family Zoom Gatherings–Holding Hands in Virtual Space, this being our 27th gathering.
A beloved guide and friend to so many in our Ruhaniat family, I met Asha for the first time in 1969, as Sara Morgan and I stopped at Lama Foundation on our way to be with Murshid Sam in San Francisco! Our friendship has grown ever deeper since then. She is my trusted advisor and council and I am so happy we all get to spend time with her on ZOOM.

It is always so moving to hear the Sufi Invocation in many languages and from so many different countries, so I once again urge those who are willing to serve us in this way, arrive to the ZOOM 15 minutes early to help us navigate skillfully.
Much love,
Shabda (and Tamam)

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87272409748?pwd=Mjg2TWJqV3ZtNGMyQVhTeE5WdzN2dz09
Meeting ID: 872 7240 9748
Password: 091689

Coming Spiritual Events

4 March 6:30 PM Pacific Time – Seattle Area Ruhaniat Zikr

From dear Murshid Khadija:

“Let us, in spite of what occurs before our eyes,Invoke that same Divine Spirit through love and beauty,That we may restore order and balance to humanity.”

Sufi Murshid SAMUEL L. LEWIS                  

Thursday, March 4, 2021

HEALING SERVICE  6:30 pm 

ZIKR  7 pm     

  “Although we seem to be in a world of song and dance, we are most concerned with peace on earth.”
       

Sufi Murshid SAMUEL L. LEWIS 

JOIN ZOOM

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88522716092?pwd=M2VwZHN1VzVDbVhQTEdjM3FOOTNwUT09

MEETING ID   885 2271 6092   PASSCODE   436431

“I don’t care what brand of religion you follow,the heart in all of us is One.”

JOE MILLER

INFORMATION (206) 850-2111 • halway@comcast.net

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

6 March 10 AM Pacific Time – Ruhaniat Family Zoom

Holding Hands in Virtual Space – Part XXV
SOULWORK
PERSONAL and PLANETARY HEALING

From Pir Shabda:

Beloved Family,

Please join Pirani Tamam and myself in welcoming special guests
Mariam Baker: Spiritual Midwife for the Mystic Journey, Activist for the Sacred Feminine 

Raphael Rod Birney: Healing the Mind World -Neuroscience, Depth Psychology & the Imaginal Realms

Yahya Suzanna Nadler: Embodying Self & Spirit Movement, Poetry and Presence as the growth medium

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067877329?pwd=ejdIOFFveUp3ZFU2YXZoRE40WW5vUT09

Meeting ID: 860 6787 7329

Password: 035603

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

7 March – 11 AM Pacific Time – Sacred People Sacred Earth – Ruhaniat’s Call to Action 

“Nothing in the world is a greater healing power, a greater remedy, a greater happiness, than to be conscious of our shared humanity and to be able to give that feeling to one’s child, family, neighbor, and friend ”

~ Hazrat Inayat Khan

Beloved Family,

A new day is dawning. A new way is calling.

If you are called to bring peace and healing through the preservation of the planet and/or ending injustice, then bring your energy, bring your voice, bring your passions to our Call to Action on March 7th.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85869558891?pwd=UHV5SnVBb3R4VGdIOHhZSFpoK0xKUT09

Meeting ID: 814 4442 9570

Passcode: 919415