Sufi events in DC

I recently attended a Sufi spiritual retreat with Katja, the owner of Studio Serenity (this was how I got the job as a yoga teacher.) It was an absolutely wonderful experience and I'm planning to put up a long entry about it sometime. In the meantime, if you're at all interested in learning more about Sufism, it seems that the community in DC is very small - but very welcoming.

From the newsletter, for upcoming events (don't hesitate to contact any of the emails listed; I added the "NOSPAM" myself because I didn't want to flood their inboxes with a buncha junk):

Sun, June 5 - Circle of Worship in Silver Spring, 11 AM, followed by a potluck lunch. Our theme will be Healing Words. The right words at the right moment can be a healing force in our lives. Words are especially helpful when they come from the presence of the Heart. We have planned an activity where we will create healing prayers for ourselves and to share with others. We will put our prayers together to create a collective community prayer of healing. After the potluck – from 2:15 – 3:30 PM, we will have a long overdue Community Meeting. See directions to Stream and Tania's below.

Sun., June 5 - The Spirit of Guidance, a monthly class in Alexandria (date varies; not in July). We're covering many approaches one-by-one, including prayer, attunement to great beings, seeing from within, listening with the heart, and working with breath and light and dreams. Held from 4 to 6 PM this month, followed by a potluck supper. Our method is to learn from each other. This month's topic is: becoming receptive to the Spirit of Guidance, with practices from last month's retreat. " Shatter your ideal on the rock of truth," Murshid says. - Jami

Mon., June 6 - New moon, and time for the next monthly practice for mureeds (initiates). This month we are continuing on last month's practice of Tasawwuri Murshid, from Aziza. It's requested that you have a guide that you are working with for questions and issues that come up.

Fri., June 17 - Celebration of the Urs (passing) of Pir Vilayat. Details not yet known. The first anniversary of a murshid's death is especially significant, and it's a time to remember all the contributions he made to our lives and to celebrate the magic and mystery of his being. Held at Zarifah and Munawir's in Chevy chase. Nawr@NOSPAMaol.com or nkadian@NOSPAMearthlink.net

Sat., June 18 - The Hollow Reed Teahouse, with religious music from many different traditions, in a friendly atmosphere with tea and desserts. This is the fourth of our gatherings, and will be held at the Washington Ethical Society 7750 16th St., NW, at 7:30 PM. $20, including desserts, or half price for young adults. The location is close to Silver Spring on the corner of Kalmia St., where there is plenty of parking.

Sun., June 19 - Universal Worship in DC, at 2 PM sharp, at the Institute for Spiritual Development, near Arizona Ave., a block from MacArthur Blvd. Directions are at the end of this letter. This is a time to join people of all religions, throughout the world, in meditation and prayer. Held on the third Sunday of each month, except for July and August.

Sat., June 25 - The first of four monthly Classes for Healing Conductor, for those who are currently Conductors or those interested in becoming, led by Ramana and held at the Ishk Center in Silver Spring. Future dates are: Sat., July 16; Sat., Aug 20; Sat., Sept. 17. 10 AM to 5PM with pot luck lunch. $35. ramana3@NOSPAMverizon.net

July 7 to 17 - Annual Sufi Order Summer Gathering at the Abode in New Lebanon, NY.
The first three days, July 8-10, will be devoted to a celebration of the Message, with an big concert on Friday night. Running through this part of the camp, will be intensives to explore several themes relevant to the need of our times: interspiritual dialogue, guardianship of our sacred environment (esoteric eco-science), sacred sound and movement (celebration through music and dance), and the call of the Message (introduction to the new initiative called Universal Awakening).
The second three days, July 11-13, will be an alchemical retreat guided by Pir Zia and Aziza.
The last four days, July 14-17, will offer Leaders' Training with Pir Zia, Aziza, Taj, Gayan, and others. A Jamiat Am meeting is planned for the evening of July 13 at the end of the retreat.

July 11 to 17 - Creative Arts for Peace Camp, at Claymont, near Charlestown, WV. Exploring the Elements of Peace. Each day will be dedicated to an element: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether (Spirit/Source). We will weave in ritual, clan bonding activities, spiritual
walking practice, stories, and of course, lots and lots of Dances of Universal Peace! The evenings will include drumming, a family concert, a bonfire, an Abrahamic deepening, and a Talent Sharing. SpiralRose@NOSPAMaol.com

Oct. 20 to 23 - October Mid-Atlantic Sufi Camp, Practice Makes Perfect, to be held at Camp Holiday Trails in Charlottesville, Virginia, beginning the evening of Thursday, October 20 and ending on Sunday, October, 23. Sponsored jointly by the Sufi Order and the Ruhaniat, and offering lots of opportunities for spiritual practice including: dance, song, walks, prayer, meditation and zikr, as well as time for building friendship and community

Special announcement

Len & Wendy's CD, called Flow, is due out in July, with lots of new songs, and features guest appearances by cellist David Darling, percussionist Jon Seligman, and multi-instrumentalist Stream Ohrstrom. They have three appearances coming: Sat., June 4, at the New Deal Cafe in Greenbelt; Sun., June 26, at Arlington United Methodist Church, and Sat., July 30, at the Sangha Cafe in Takoma Park. See www.lenandwendy.com

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Regular classes

Chevy Chase

Mon. evenings: Sufi Teachings and Practices

Nawr@NOSPAMaol.com or nkadian@NOSPAMearthlink.net (Munawir and Zarifah)

Silver Spring Ishk Center

Noor and Ramana have moved here from Gaithersburg.

Teachings and practices, 1st and 3rd Thurs. at 7:30. Zikr on the 1st and healing on the 3rd.

Individual retreats

asmallen@NOSPAMemail.usps.gov or ramana3@NOSPAMverizon.net

12422 New Hampshire Ave Sil. Spr. MD 20904, phone 301-622-2779.

Alexandria

Zikr

every Thursday night at 7:45 PM. lwilliamsva@NOSPAMearthlink.net (Zehra)

The Spirit of Guidance

: Once a month. Day varies; this month 4-6 PM in Alex. on Sun., June 5 -Jami Baltimore area:

Teachings and practices, 2nd Thurs.

Healing Class and Service, 3rd Thurs.

Dances of Universal Peace, 3rd Wed.

Universal Worship, 3rd Sun.

mkammerer@NOSPAMjhmi.edu

In Cockeysville

agape101@NOSPAMcomcast.net (Savitri)

In Randallstown
yanur@NOSPAMyahoo.com Raphaelite Interims (tentative)

Raphaelite Training: In Balt. area with Nur-al-Haqq, July 16-17 (in Eldersburg)
New group with Ramana in Silver Spring starts Sept. 9-11, 2005
One on One processing: Dec. 9-11, 2005 (tentative date)

Dances of Universal Peace. Many activities, described in a separate monthly announcement called Spirit of the Dance. Write to SpiralRose@NOSPAMaol.com to receive it.

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Directions to the Institute of Spiritual Development for the Universal Worship
5419 Sherier Pl., NW -- off Arizona Ave, close to MacArthur Blvd.

From the Beltway: Take the exit for the Clara Barton Pkwy, which is #41 from the south and #40 (marked as Cabin John Pkwy) from the north. That changes to Canal Road. Just past Chain Bridge, go left on Arizona Ave. for 1/4 mile, then left on Sherier Place. (If you reach MacArthur Blvd you've just passed it.) The church building is a block and a half on the right.

From downtown DC: Take Canal Road to Arizona Ave. Go right on Ariz. for 1/4 mile, then left on Sherier Place. (If you reach MacArthur Blvd you've just passed it.) The church building is a block and a half on the right.

From upper NW DC: Take Nebraska Ave (by American University) to Arizona Ave. Go left on Ariz., go past MacArthur Blvd for 1 block, then right on Sherier Place. The church building is a block and a half on the right.

From Virginia: Either go into town and follow the directions above from downtown DC, or take Chain Bridge and follow the directions above that start from the Beltway.

Directions to Stream and Tania's for the Circle of Worship: Wash. Beltway to Exit 33 for Conn. Ave. North. Stay left on Conn. Ave (not Univ. Blvd.) After Viers Mill, Randolf and Weller Roads, take the first left on Atherton Dr, first right on Neola, and right at end to Littleton St. 3804 Littleton is on right, phone 301-949-8984.