Online Programs
Openings
An Esoteric Study Class Open to All
with Pir Elias and Murshid Kiran
Starting in 2024 we will be opening the doors of this monthly online class to anyone who has a sincere interest in Sufism and the life of the spirit. Originally intended for those who have participated in Sufi Way programs and trainings, Openings will continue with that level of the dialogue, assuming that those who attend will be comfortable with discussions that range from the experiential to the abstract, from the everyday to the mystical.
Openings sessions, about an hour and a quarter long, are held on the first Saturday of every month at 9:00 AM Pacific, 10:00 AM Mountain, 11:00 AM Central, 12:00 noon Eastern, 5:00 PM UK, and 6:00 PM EU.
Those who have attended previous Openings classes do not need to register — you’re already on the list. If you would like to attend for the first time, please send an email to carol@sufiway.org asking to be placed on the Openings mailing list. You will receive a reminder and link to each session a few hours before each session. There is no fee for attending this class, though donations are deeply appreciated. You can send a donation by clicking HERE.
This year’s Openings classes will be focused on the overall theme: Matters of Life, anticipating a range of topics that will be the subject of our upcoming online conference in September, 2024, called “A Matter of Life” that will focus on personal and spiritual responses to the climate crisis.
"Awakening only happens now."
~ Pir Elias Amidon, Flashes
Our lives are continually being shaped by how we relate to ourselves, our families, communities, and society at large; by how we interact in our natural and human-made environments. The world we experience, the stories we live, our sense of gain and loss, fear and trust, are all generated through interaction. Thus, at its essence, reality is relational.
A reality of fulfillment and well-being, then, comes not by “getting what you wish for” but through the refinement of responsiveness in all dimensions of life. Sufis call this, adab —clear-minded, open-hearted, creative, give and take in every situation.
This year, Living Sufism will offer opportunities to explore this practice through chilla—unusual tasks and challenges aimed at experiencing the limiting habits and liberating choices of our relational realities. Our focus in this will be on transforming the reality we experience through the mystic awareness of adab.
The program will take place on the second Sunday of each month at noon EST, January through May, and will incorporate additional small group work. It will be presented by Puran Perez, Isha Francis, Angelika MacArthur and others.
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The Way of Adab
The Inner Life
January 14, 2024 - 9AM PT, 12 PM EST, 5PM UK, 6 PM EU
Adab begins with the refinement of our relationship with ourselves; unconditionally embracing all our internal experiences.
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The Intimacy
February 11, 2024 - 9AM PT, 12 PM EST, 5PM UK, 6 PM EU
Intimacy thrives through reciprocal vulnerability—the adab of the intimate is found in open hearted surrender to that communion.
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The Gathering
March 10, 2024 - 9AM PT, 12 PM EST, 4PM UK, 5 PM EU
In the presence of adab, our families and communities flourish, are stronger and more joyful. “Friendship is made of being awake” (Rumi)
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The World
April 14, 2024 - 9AM PT, 12 PM EST, 5PM UK, 6 PM EU
The practice of adab opens us to creative aliveness in our everyday interactions, The world, then, is alive within as well as without us.
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The Mystery of Adab
May 12, 2024 - 9AM PT, 12 PM EST, 5PM UK 6 PM EU
Sufis point to adab as embodied love. But its mystery awaits discovery by each of us, each in our own way.
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CLICK YOUR LINK TO REGISTER
North America ~ $50
European Union ~ €45 United Kingdom ~ £40
Living Sufism is a program of The Sufi Way
Please address any questions to Carol@sufiway.org or Puran@sufiway.org
Every Thursday
Every Thursday we hold half-hour sessions of online communal meditation at 11:00 AM Pacific, 12:00 PM Mountain, 1:00 PM Central, 2:00 PM Eastern, 7:00 PM UK, and 8:00 PM EU. All are welcome.
To receive reminder emails with each Thursday's Zoom link, please fill out our Contact form, and indicate you would like to be added to the Every Thursday email list.
Each Thursday session during the month has a different form. There is no charge for these Every Thursday offerings. Your support through donations of any size are always appreciated. For ways to donate, please visit our Donate page.
First Thursday: ALANKARA
An alankara is a classic style of Sufi communal contemplation. Gentle meditative music is played softly, and every couple of minutes the music is faded into silence when a short aphorism or saying is read by the Alankara leader. Then the music is resumed, allowing us to contemplate together the saying and its resonant meaning. The Alankara leader will have selected these sayings from teachings of the world’s spiritual traditions and poetry, usually relating to a single theme. A powerful aspect of these Alankara contemplations is the sense that a group of us, however physically distant we might be, are opening to the meaning of these sayings at the same time. Our communion is with both the significance of the sayings and with each other’s simultaneous presence. The Alankara sessions will last about 30 minutes. Our video cameras will not be open – a simple photo of a scene from nature will be on our screens to reduce distraction.
Second Thursday: SAMA
with Omar and Suzanne Inayat-Khan
These communal musical meditations are unique to the Sufi Way. Sama are deep, harmonious zikrs sung in unison, each with its own evocative theme, such as the Zikr of Gratitude, the Zikr of Becoming, the Zikr of Longing, the Zikr of the Stream of Love, the Zikr of Intimacy, the Zikr of Peace, and many others. As with Alankaras, our video cameras are not open during the Sama sessions, which last for about 30 minutes.
Third Thursday: SHARING SILENCE
with Murshida Kunderke Noverraz
Sharing silence together in a Zoom Meeting can create a subtle quality of communion — a communion beyond words and thought. These sessions of Sharing Silence will begin with a few words of guidance to help us settle and relax into the present moment. Our video cameras will not be open — a simple nature photo will be on-screen to reduce distraction. Our silence together will continue for approximately 20 minutes.
Fourth Thursday: A TIME FOR QUESTIONS
with Pir Elias
Our communion will take a different form in these sessions — rather than being meditative, they will be a chance for you to ask Pir Elias questions on any subject. The sessions will not begin with a talk or be focused on a specific theme; rather this is a time for you to bring up any questions you might have about your practice or life experience, the Sufi Way or anything else. Our video cameras and mics will be open to facilitate these sessions, which may extend beyond a half-hour if necessary.
Save the Dates!
September 8, 15, 22, 29 & October 6, 2024
In August and September, 2024, the Sufi Way will present a Zoom gathering exploring spiritual and personal resources for dealing with the effects of climate change. During our time together, we will look at the ways climate change is affecting our lives, other species, and the planet. We will explore the questions: What can we do to strengthen and refine our inner focus? How can we bring the light of Oneness, of spirit into this troubling landscape? How can we remain present to what is happening and sustain courage, hope and openheartedness?
A Matter of Life will balance three elements: an acknowledgment of the severity of the crisis, pathways to individual and local action, and the nurturing of our spirits and hearts. The gatherings will be hosted by Murshid Kiran Rana and will include talks and presentations by Pir Elias Amidon and other spiritual teachers, climate experts, and youth leaders, mixed with music, poetry, meditations and interactive discussions.
This is the awakening for our time, as important and as spiritual as any awakening we may contemplate. If you would like to help with the work for the gathering, or would like more information, please email Kiran at amatteroflife@sufiway.org.