Announcements

Come and immerse yourself in the beautiful Welsh countryside and ‘the Sacred Manuscript of Nature, the only book which can enlighten the reader’ (in the words of Hazrat Inayat Khan, the Sufi mystic). For these days we will live together close to the land and deepen our connection to Mother Earth through many different practices, culminating in a beautiful co-created ceremony to honour and bless the Earth.

In the afternoons there will be training sessions for dance leaders – circles where new or more experienced dancers, dance leaders and musicians can explore the dance leading journey, with guidance and supporting practices held by Jilani, who is a very experienced mentor and trainer of dance leaders.

Rissa and Sky of Yew Tree Camps have this to say about the site:

‘Meadow Ground overlooks the gorgeous Welsh Valleys and enjoys dramatic views and spectacular skies from its position on the hillside. The Stone Circle is a formation of English and Welsh stones, which came together serendipitously to create a deep and mystical place for the dances. We are immersed in nature amongst the hedgehogs, owls, buzzards, bluebells, orchids and new and old trees.

The land has been lovingly tended to and developed to create the beautiful and magical setting for these camps. We are blessed by the full range of weather that Wales provides; beautiful sunny days, misty rainy days and everything in between – it is therefore good to pack for all seasons!

We have various sheltered spaces for workshops, lovely compost loos (including a new accessible compost toilet) and a mains water supply for drinking, hand washing, cooking, and basic off-grid showering and bathing. We will maintain an open fire which marks the centre of our camping circle. 

Please ask us about alternative accommodation and any other access needs you may require. Our field may not be suitable for everyone as the ground is uneven in places, but we would love to accommodate you as much as we can. We have options available to help you attend more comfortably if you aren’t able to camp or don’t wish to. If you need to travel light, we can help with some basic supplies like tents or bedding, however these are limited. 

We have three cats who love the freedom of the field. Therefore we are not able to accommodate other peoples pets on the field. We also have an older cat and a small dog who live down at the house.’

This exciting new event is designed to be affordable, and please do enquire if you need further help to be able to attend. Conversely, if you find the price is reasonable or cheap for the value which is being offered, please consider offering a donation to subsidise those who are less well off.

Bring your own plate/bowl/mug and cutlery, plus everything you need for a vegetarian breakfast. You might also like to bring teas/coffees and delicious snacks to share. Our main meals will be suitable for vegetarians with vegan and gluten free options, and are included in the price you pay. We will all offer our karma yoga services in turn to chop wood and vegetables, wash up and clear away.

Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment! Contact Jilani with any questions prior to booking.

Click here for booking form

A Ceremony of Sound and Light

with Jilani

‘Abwoon d’bashmaya’ 

Oh Thou, the breathing Life of all, Creator of the shimmering Sound that touches us! You create all that moves in Light…

A residential retreat in France (in French/English) to learn and practice the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic, with chants and body prayers. This workshop is based on the work of Neil Douglas-Klotz, with whom I trained for three years nearly 20 years ago. Neil has spent over 35 years studying Jesus in the context of Middle Eastern spirituality, seeing him as a Middle Eastern prophet, and looking at his words in the language he actually spoke, Aramaic. Aramaic is a bridge between ancient Hebrew and modern day Hebrew and Arabic, and by studying the words of Jesus in this context we arrive at a very different way of understanding his message. Specifically, there is not one way to translate Aramaic into English, but many layers of meaning, which can be very helpful for us nowadays, especially if we have ever felt alienated or put off by traditional translations of the words of Jesus. I have led this work in many countries, and both practising Christians and people who have felt wounded and alienated by the Christian church have had profound and healing experiences with it.

The Aramaic Prayer is the Lord’s Prayer in as close as we can get to the original words spoken by Jesus. We will explore those words in Aramaic, and discover several possible ways to understand and relate to those words through some English translations.

Above all this work is experiential, and embodied. The emphasis is not so much on study and mental understanding as on gaining an embodied experience of the prayer. To this end we will be chanting each line many times, with simple melodies and movements. This makes it easier for us to learn the words and also to drop into a felt sense of what we are experiencing.

During the weekend we will explore each line of the prayer, with time for questions and learning. The culmination will consist of a full experience of the prayer including a part where we share juice and bread to deepen our understanding and connection with the experience. The emphasis will not be on ‘getting it right’, but on dropping deeply into the prayer as a ceremony and a way to connect with the original message of Jesus, which many people find quite profound and surprising.

The Khankah of the Heart is a vision of a Sufi community, a Khankah, based not in a building of bricks and mortar, but in the relationships between the deep and loving hearts of its members. All fervent seekers are welcome to join, whether new to this or having been walking the path for many years.  The core of this community will be the practices and teachings of Murshid Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti (Samuel Lewis) and the Sufi and Dance lineages that he birthed.  Dances of Universal Peace will be central to our group practice.  In our experience and understanding, the Dances of Universal Peace are rooted in the whole of S.A.M.’s teachings and practices including the Walks and that they will flourish more fully, firmly attached to their roots from which they can not be separated. 

Last year Jilani Cordelia Prescott & Shamsia Sandra Sunfire initiated our gathering together with a shared purpose. The Khankah of the Heart is envisioned to meet in different places at different times with different people guiding us through retreats.  We are living in the UK but retreats here will welcome those from other countries and future retreats could also be held in other countries.  This particular retreat will be 16th-19th January 2025, from supper on Thursday to after lunch on Sunday, at the Oblate Retreat Centre, Crewe, UK. Further details are on the attached flyer.  The retreat will happen just after the Urs of Samuel Lewis, the anniversary of his death, of when he returned to the Source from which he came.  There is a hope to expand this to a week long annual retreat, with other online and in person gatherings keeping us in touch in between.  The retreats are envisioned to serve and nourish the Sufi community and friends, wherever we may call home, returning to our home in the heart, our Khankah of the Heart, where we can gather to “eat, dance and pray” together.  

We are guided by our teachers.

“One who has learned friendship has learned religion; the one who has learned friendship has attained spiritual knowledge. The one who has learned friendship need learn very little else; morals in Persian is friendship” (Hazrat Inayat Khan)

“…real meetings are mergings; they change the parties involved leaving them more fully themselves.” (Murshid SAM)

We follow in their footsteps, walking with them. 

As Mentors and Dance Leaders we strongly feel that in order for the  transmission of the Dances of Universal Peace to be healthy and complete, we need to provide opportunities for Dance Leaders and potential Dance Leaders, to deeply experience SAM’s Dances & Walks, teachings and practices. This can provide strong roots for DUP to grow and bloom anew, setting new seeds for future growth in our young people.

We are applying for grants to start an ongoing bursary fund to enable us to support those encountering financial difficulties to be able to join us.  This will be available to all including those who will in future serve and support our communities, the young people.  We recognise that these are challenging times and that financial challenges are becoming more widespread and that a bursary fund will help our community to be more supportive and inclusive. If you are experiencing abundance and feel inspired to support our bursary fund, please contact us.

We are committed to exploring sustainable ways to continue to gather as a Sufi Community, financially and based on caring for the Earth’s limited resources.  This venture has been unfolding in our hearts and our lives each and every time we meet, we nurture and pray for its past, present and future. 

11 & 12 May 2024, Saturday and Sunday

a Non-Residential Weekend Retreat with Sheikh Muiz Brinkerhoff, assisted by Jilani and Salik

Sufi Practice, Dances of Universal Peace, Zikr, and a variety of other Heart-Centered, Mindful Explorations of Breath and Body, Sound and Silence, Movement and Stillness.

In Hebden Bridge, in the beautiful Pennine hills of West Yorkshire

All are welcome, even those new to Sufi practice and the Dances of Universal Peace.

You may join for all or part of the weekend. Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday 10 am – 4 pm

Nearby B&B and Hostel accommodation or campsites may be available. Book early to be sure.

£150/£130/£110, with a £20 discount for bookings received and paid before 1 April 2024.

Please bring food to share for two lunches.

We’ve kept the pricing deliberately low to help include those whose resources are limited. Please be generous as you self-select your price band. At the same time, if you can only attend part of the retreat, or if you are in financial hardship, please contact us. Money should not be an obstacle.

To book a place, or for more information, please contact Jilani

29 December 2023 – 1 January 2024

Jilani Cordelia is delighted to be back in France, in the Alps, to welcome the New Year with Dances of Universal Peace, Meditations, Celebrations, Live Music and Games.

The Dances of Universal Peace are sacred, healing dances. They draw inspiration from spiritual traditions from around the world. Through song and dance, they open us to inner peace, unity, joy. (No prior experience required, open to all.)

Through dances and various practices, Jilani Cordelia will invite us to look back at the past year with gratitude and forgiveness, and to look forward at the year to come with confidence and trust.

Info & reservation: +33 658 25 14 17

odiledouressamy@gmail.com

Participation: €80 before December 1st, €120 after.

Accommodation and meals extra.

Registration form on request

Accommodation: It is extra. Prices are set by Dhyan who runs “Home Shanti Home”: 20€ in your truck, 30€ for a room for 3/4 persons, 35€ for a room for 2 persons (25€ per person for a couple), 40€ in caravan or chalet for 2 persons, 50€ for a single room. These prices are per person and per night. Everyone brings sheets, pillowcases and towels.

Accommodation is limited. The first to register will be the first to be served, otherwise you will always have the option of staying outside and then joining our group.

Meals: Meals will be prepared by a cook and a cook’s assistant. Each meal will be 12€,except the festive New Year’s meal being 15€, this will make 75€ in total. Breakfasts remain your responsibility.

Registration: complete the Registration Form & make a money transfer of 30% of the total amount (participation & accommodation) to Association “Joie de l’Etre”, organizer of the event. On site, upon arrival, you will be asked for the balance in cash. If you cancel your deposit will be kept as compensation.