Contemplative Sufi-Jewish Retreat
with Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks, Prof. Dr. M Ibrahim H. Baha’uddin Chishti,
and Dr. Zvi Bellin
Angelica Center, Santa Rosa
May 11-13, 2012
Join a unique experiential weekend where two spiritually rich cultures collide to increase the qualities of wholeness and awareness in your life. The mystical expressions of Sufism and Judaism have a long-standing tradition of co-mingling – inspiring in each other ecstatic and subtle practices that honor every person’s connection with the Divine. Our weekend will include an array of practices from both traditions, expertly guided to form a holy community where each member will have the opportunity to deepen their connection to themselves and the world around them. We will hold friendly silence throughout the retreat, promoting inner-stillness by refraining from idle chatter. There will be singing, chanting, and ample opportunity to ask questions.
Our weekend will include:
Inner Awakening with Breath and Body Awareness
Dhikr: Sufi Ceremony of Divine Remembrance
Contemplative Ecstatic Prayer for Shabbat
Mysticism of the Arabic Letter Alif
Four Worlds Torah Study
Five Nourishing Meals
Retreat Accommodations:
Our retreat will be held at the Angela Center (www.angela center.com) located at 535 Angela Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. It is a beautiful retreat space, located about 1-hour north of the Bay Area, which focuses on “Integrating: spirituality, psychology, social responsibility and the arts.” Double and single rooms are available all with shared baths. The Angela Center is a nurturing setting for deep practice.
Payment Information:
In order to make the retreat affordable, participants are only required to pay the fee of room and board. This cost is $230 per person for a double room and $275 for a single room. At the completion of the retreat, participants will be asked to donate to the teachers. The total cost of the retreat includes two nights lodging in hotel style rooms (Double and Singles available) with hall baths, five delicious meals, a complete weekend workshop series.
Registration Information:
REGISTRATION FOR THIS RETREAT IS LIMITED TO 30 PARTICIPANTS. Please email zvilove@gmail.com to receive your registration form and payment information
Questions?:
Please email zvilove@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
Tentative Schedule:
FRIDAY, May 11th
Arrival and Check In – 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Welcome and Entering into Shabbat (Candle lighting) – 5:00 – 6:30p.m.
Shabbat Dinner – 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Mysticism of the Arabic Letter Alif – 7:45 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
Inner Awakening with Breath and Body Awareness – 9 p.m. – 10p.m.
Sweet dreams!
SATURDAY, May 12th
Morning Attunement (meditation and movement) – 7:15 – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast – 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Naqshbandi 11 Principles – 9:15 – 10:00 a.m.
Contemplative Ecstatic Prayer for Shabbat – 10:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Shabbat Lunch – 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Discussing the Ineffable Names of G-d in Sufism and Judaism – 1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Shabbas Menuhah/Rest (Snacks available) – 2:30 – 4:15 p.m.
Shabbat Mincha Practice – 4:15 – 5:15 p.m.
Third Meal/Dinner – 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Mysticism and Meditation – 6:30 – 7:15 p.m.
Dhikr: Sufi Ceremony of Divine Remembrance – 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Sweet Soul Music with Captain Zohar (Havdalah) – 9:15 and on –(Shabbat ends 8:55pm) –
Sweet Dreams!
SUNDAY, May 13th
Morning Attunement – 7:15 – 8:00 a.m.
(Talking) Breakfast – 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Contemplative Shacharit with Ecstatic Chant – 9:00 – 10:30am
Transitioning back to the “Real World” – 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
Snacks available at 11:15am
SAFE TRAVELS AND MANY BLESSINGS!
Retreat Facilitators:
Inspired by Martin Buber’s writings, Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks began a quest for finding the inner Truth of Judaism, beyond tradition. Finding That Truth ironically led him back to tradition. He is an ordained (s’micha) meditation teacher through Chochmat HaLev. Brian Yosef currently serves as the Music Director of Chochmat HaLev where he teachers meditation classes and leads prayer services. His band, Captain Zohar, plays original Jewish devotional and concert music. He lives in Oakland with wife Lisa and their two children, to whom he owes constant gratitude for keeping him far from cheap, egocentric substitutes for G-d.
Prof. Dr. M. Ibrahim H. Baha’uddin Chishti is Provost and Acting President of the Starr King School of the Graduate Theological Union where he is also Senior Research Analyst in the Centre of Islamic Studies of which he was one of the founders. He serves as a consultant for students studying Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish issues at the GTU Centre for Jewish Studies and. He developed the Andalusia Project for the Starr King School, whereby Jewish, Christian, Unitarian Universalist, Muslim students and others study their interconnected histories and traditions together. He is also a spiritual teacher and guide (Pir/Shaykh) in the Ajmeri Chishti tradition and has spiritual students worldwide. A faculty member at ALEPH Kallah 2011, he is a member of Chochmat haLev and serves on the Chevra Kadisha. He loves to laugh….
Dr. Zvi Bellin holds a Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling and is a licensed therapist in Maryland and DC. Zvi directs intimate retreats for the Jewish community that are both spiritually uplifting and intellectually stimulating. His teaching style follows the tradition of blending Torah study with contemplative Jewish practice. Zvi has studied extensively with teachers spanning various Jewish denominations, including, Rabbi David Zeller, Miriam Ribner, Rabbi Zvi Miller, and Rabbi Jeff Roth. Learn more about Zvi and his research on personal meaning on his blog www.meaningthroughbeing,com .
