KAPA‘A — The 12th annual Sufi retreat begins with the Dances of Universal Peace at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, at the Kahuna Valley Octagon in Kapahi, a news release states. The dances are open to the general public and can be
KAPA‘A — The 12th annual Sufi retreat begins with the Dances of Universal Peace at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, at the Kahuna Valley Octagon in Kapahi, a news release states.
The dances are open to the general public and can be attended without attending the weekend retreat. This evening will also offer prayer and teachings. The retreat will follow at a private residence in Kapa‘a, Jan. 14-16.
Murshida Leilah Be and her husband Sheik Bodhi Be are senior teachers in the Sufi lineage of Hazrat Inayat Khan. Sam Lewis brings remarkable capacities for generating a deeper connection within one’s self, with each other and with the divine.
The Dances of Universal Peace (aka Sufi dances) originated in the 1960s as an inspiration of Murshid Samuel Lewis, or “Sufi Sam.” Honoring all religions, they are a means to attune to the qualities of the divine, celebrating unity and community, and expanding love, harmony and beauty, the release states. Using simple, easily learned steps and movements, in a joyful atmosphere, the circle of dancers move together, singing simple phrases which promote peace and deepen our connection to the divine.
The retreat will include Dances of Universal Peace, Zikr (the practice of remembrance of God) and Sufi teachings and practices for awakening the heart, inspiring the mind and nurturing the soul.
Sufis view the personality as an instrument to be tuned, and attuned to the divine, that it may become a vehicle for God’s blessings here and now, the release states.
Often called the spiritual Path of the Heart, the Sufi tradition originated in the 9th century A.D. Embracing all of creation with respect and honor, Sufi teachings and practices are dedicated to the perfection of love, harmony, beauty, and transformation-through perfect understanding. Sufism is inclusive and welcomes people from all religions and life experiences.
Leilah and Bodhi live and teach on Maui, and have been leading retreats throughout the world for over 25 years. They are off-the-grid organic homesteaders, musicians, and directors of Doorway into Light, a nonprofit in the field of death and dying.
To find out more about these events, contact Joan Levy at 822-5488 or joan@joanlevy.com.
