Courses and events programme
Julia Dry | Monday, 8th December, 2025

... continued from the Directors' newsletter December 2025

Ongoing Conversation

The ongoing conversation has focused on the interdependencies of the Four Spheres – ecology, economy, culture and spirituality – mentioned in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Chisholme Institute.
These considerations, and their bearing on each of us and the whole world, have continued to inform Chisholme’s course programming and its future development.

Ecological – ecological conservation
Economic – good husbandry and resource management
Cultural – conservation of our heritage, buildings, artefacts and craft skills
Spiritual – spiritual practices

This perspective was an underlying theme and thread of the course programme as it developed.

Rumi 750

The year 2023 was the 750th anniversary of Rumi's Nuptial Night and preparations for this began with conversation in January 2023. Conversation long weekends continued monthly through 2023 considering Rumi and his reality in the modern world, culminating in the RUMI 750 GATHERING in September.

Hakim Young opened the RUMI 750 GATHERING with an outline of how the four spheres could be used as a template and a way of contemplating the world and the importance of understanding where the balance is maintained, and why and how things become unbalanced.
Alan Ereira brought news of the deeply profound differences in the culture of the Kogi to other traditions – which opened up glimpses into unknown territory, not seen or perhaps possible for us to understand. Alan also gave a talk towards the end of the Six-month Course 2024/25. You can access the podcast of that here:
The Wisdom of the Kogi
Kawther Luay introduced us to the properties of plants and opened our eyes to what was growing naturally in the ground everywhere we looked. The edible plants were harvested and incorporated into a delicious evening meal; you can see snippets of the group’s walk on Glenda Rome's short video along with glimpses of Hannah's night walk mentioned below;
Click here to see: A taste of the Rumi 750 Gathering
Jane Clark spoke of Sadr al-Din Qunawi and his connection with Ibn Arabi and Rumi; and of the great changes that were taking place in the world particularly in the Abrahamic religious world. Much was akin to the changes in the world now, where many seek refuge from conflicting beliefs and environmental catastrophe.
Jane’s talk was much appreciated by those who have studied Ibn ‘Arabi and Jelalludin Rumi on courses here. We heard much more of the role Sadr al-Din Qunawi played in these events. Many from the school have visited his tomb which is indeed open to the sky and to all visitors – like the Monument to Man on the skyline.
You can listen to and read Jane's talk here:
'Rumi and The Tradition of Ibn 'Arabi' a talk by Jane Clark
Hannah Dalgleish led us on a night walk where our eyes gradually became adjusted to the night sky. As well as the short video mentioned above, you can read an article Hannah wrote for the Beshara Magazine on 'The Grandeur of the Night Sky' here: https://besharamagazine.org/well-being-ecology/the-grandeur-of-the-night-sky
We were entertained by Sylvain Ayité who sang movingly of love and family; and Miwa Nagato-Apthorp whose clear and beautiful voice was captivating.
You can see and hear these performances here:
RUMI 750 Gathering
There was a post-event week-end and celebration of Rumi’s Nuptial night in December 2023.

The winter six-month course

In January 2024 preparation began for a new six-month course, and four week-ends of conversation were devoted to this. All were welcome to attend.

Reconnecting with the original intention is, as the commentary on the film Turning says, 'recognising an order to which the salik (the traveller or follower of truth) willingly submits'
A condition when applying for the six-month course is that the applicant needs to have undertaken at least a week-long introductory course at Chisholme so they can take that first step toward being prepared. In line with this: one week-end; and three introductory study weeks took place in the spring and summer months before the course began. Guest speakers invited towards the end of the course were Alan Ereira, and by zoom – Jonathan Dawson lecturer in Regenerative Economics at Schumacher College. Eight students undertook and completed this intensive retreat course.

Khidr’s Day

A three day event took place on 6 May 2024 and 6 May 2025. The extended event emerged from the Preparing the Ground conversations.
Khidr was gifted with the knowledge of the Divine mysteries, and Khidr’s Day celebrates the guidance that comes from his level to those who seek union without intermediary.

Beshara Trust Foundation Course

In July 2024 a final residential module in the Beshara Trust Foundation Course took place at Chisholme. The first week’s module took place at Sutton Courteney in Oxfordshire. The further modules took place online.

Three week-retreat course

This course was by invitation for those who had completed either the 40-day or 99-day courses or the 6 month course. It took place from August 23 to 13 September 2025 and was built around study, work and spiritual practices.

Foundations of Natural Intelligence

Two week-long courses took place in July and August 2025.
More courses are now scheduled for summer 2026.
The course has its own website now:
chisholme-fni.org
This course comes highly recommended.

'And this is how they should die...'

Within the enquiry into the Four Spheres, in particular spirituality, culture and society, a new course has been in development concerning the physical death and the death to self. There has been a lot of response and two more courses are planned in February and March 2026. Numbers are restricted to 16 for these courses.

‘And this is how they should die…’
Sunday, 14th December to Sunday, 21st December, 2025
A seven-day contemplation of death and dying, incorporating wisdom tradition readings, conversation and spiritual practice.
This course is open to anyone who is interested in preparing their self, consciously, in willing agreement and gratitude, for this ultimate transition, as well as those offering end-of-life care to a family member, a friend or perhaps a neighbour living alone.
Indeed, it is for anyone, of any age or life circumstance, who wishes to contemplate the reality of dying, and of making this spiritual transition within their own lifetime.
Read more here:
https://www.chisholme.org/whats-on/upcoming-courses.html

Spring and Summer 2026

Forestry and garden weeks will be scheduled for April, and garden weeks will continue through the summer months.
An Open Day is proposed for August, continuing the enquiry into the interdependence of the spheres of ecology, economy, culture and spirituality, and how they are expressed at Chisholme now and in the future.

Six-month Intensive Retreat

Thursday 1st October 2026 to Wed 24th March 2027
A further six-month course is proposed from 1st October 2026.
To express your interest in this please follow this link:
The Six-month Course of Intensive Esoteric Education

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