Lightning Flashes and the Heart's Yearning: an Intensive Retreat Fortnight
Thursday, 4th February, 2021
Return
A two-week Retreat Course of Devotional Practice, led by Peter Young.
This intensive retreat is for those with some prior experience of reading Ibn Arabi and who have an ongoing spiritual practice. Applications are invited both from those who have done this form of retreat (Wazifa Retreat) in the past and from those who are new to it.
Week 1: Intensive week of study of selections from Ibn ‘Arabi’s Tarjuman al-Ashwaq and the Lawa’ih of Jami, together with daily practice and group conversation. The Tarjuman al-Ashwaq is a collection of spiritual love poetry, rich in metaphors and meanings, of the journey of the heart to union with the real beloved. As the author explains, every one of his poetic allusions is really to Her, his divine Beloved. The Lawa’ih is a collection of inspirational ‘flashes’ or insights into our human existence, and in particular the steps towards realising our unity with the one absolute being. Together they weave a subtle rope of guidance for the aspirant entering seclusion…
Week 2: A week of private seclusion engaging full-time in devotional practices, as prescribed by Ibn ‘Arabi for his students. These practices are undertaken for the completion of the various levels of the self through the realisation of their unity with the One Absolute Self.
The final day, after the completion of the practices, will be set aside for acclimatisation. It will also be possible for participants to stay for a further day or two following the retreat as they wish.
The retreat will be limited to ten participants.
Cost: £700 which includes single room accommodation and full board.
A non-refundable deposit of £100 will be needed to secure a place.
If you would like to take part, please apply to the Secretary: secretary@chisholme.org
Tel +44 (0)1450 880 215
About the courses at Chisholme
All courses at Chisholme, however much their formats differ, begin with the principle of the absolute unity of existence, in view of which unity all life, in whatever sphere, is interconnected and interdependent.
If this is so, then who and what am I? Is it possible for me to come to know my reality and place within the one absolute existence? And what is the way forward, to know myself within the context of unity? That such knowledge is possible, and that there is indeed a way towards it is the reason for all courses that Chisholme offers.
There are different lengths of courses at Chisholme. From a weekend to six months, the course comprises a beginning, a middle and an end and has a continuity of participants throughout. Each participant begins at the same starting point as every other, and all complete the course together. To begin at the beginning, it is important that each participant, whatever their prior learning and experience, enters upon the course with ‘beginner’s mind’, as far as possible putting aside all previous understandings, with a freshness of intent and enquiry.
This kind of knowledge cannot be taught as such, and for this reason Chisholme has no teachers. Rather, this knowledge is within each of us already and reveals itself as and when we are ready, when the time is right. Chisholme’s courses aim to provide the best circumstances for each participant to approach this transformational moment, whether during the course or in the future.
Each person’s journey to self-knowledge will be different.
Please email secretary@chisholme.org
to register your interest.
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