Urs Readings on Spiritual Thirst
We had wonderful gatherings in Bradford and London to celebrate Mevlana Rumi’s Urs. Thank you to all who came and participated. We include below the main readings that were shared … Continue reading
Sacred Pattern Audio
We’re pleased to share the Sacred Pattern retreat audio from last month’s gathering in Kendal. You can also see some pictures on our Facebook page.
Reflecting on Kindness & Beauty
Be kind, for when kindness is part of something it beautifies it; and when it is removed, it tarnishes it. ~Hadith On the Sufi path, adab (courteous etiquette) is of … Continue reading
Feminine Symbols in Islam
Islam and the Divine Feminine? Really? Yes, as improbable as it may seem, really. In our times we have become so accustomed to a male-dominated, authoritarian and repressive interpretation of … Continue reading
Rumi’s Urs 2017 Bradford & London
Rumi’s Circle with Mevlevi whirling dervishes from The Threshold Society are pleased to announce the 2017 celebration of Mevlana Rumi’s Urs, the anniversary of his union with the Beloved. Join … Continue reading
A Love Affair
Reflections by Matthew Wright on being an Episcopal Mevlevi – balancing Christianity and Islam This post represents the first piece of “new” content on A Waking Heart, and it’s probably … Continue reading
Sacred Pattern: Balancing the Feminine & Masculine, Kendal Nov 10-12
Continuing the conversation started last year, join us for a weekend to explore the balance of the sacred feminine and masculine within ourselves and within our world…
Greenbelt, Kettering Fri 25th Aug
We’re proud to be participating in Greenbelt this year, offering a late-evening Sufi Soul Session with music, zhikr and whirling! Friday 25th August, 10:30-11:30pm Amal Tent, Boughton House, Kettering NN14 … Continue reading
Rumi Retreat! Sep 1-4 2017
We’re looking forward to spending another wonderful weekend with Rumi lovers at the Threshold Society UK Annual Retreat (Sep 1-4) down at lovely Gaunts House in Dorset. Set in 1600 … Continue reading
Shaikh Oruç Güvenç
We honour the passing of Mevlevi Shaikh and master musician, Oruç Güvenç. Many of us at Rumi’s Circle have been healed and uplifted by the music of this beautiful soul. … Continue reading
Spiritual Values into Action: Sufism & Peace, Wed 12 Jul
Join us for an evening with Syed Salman Chisty In collaboration with St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace. Wed 12 July, 2017 7-8:30pm St Ethelburga’s Centre, 78 … Continue reading
Ramadan with Shams: The Ambush of Love
This Ramadan, I drank from the wisdom of Shams of Tabriz contained in the wonderful book Rumi’s Sun: The Teachings of Shams of Tabriz. “Shams” means “Sun” of course, and this year the summer equinox fell in the month of Ramadan; something which felt significant.
Altrincham Interfaith Cultural Evening Thu 6 Jul
Rumi’s Circle will be reciting poetry and Sufi songs as part of Altrincham Interfaith Group’s evening of cultural entertainment. Join us!
Eid Mubarak!
Eid Mubarak to all celebrating! May your celebration be joyous and full of Love. What a Nourisher The sensible man doesn’t pay attention to what increases or decreases, since both … Continue reading
Bradford Lit Fest Whirling Workshop Sun 9 Jul
Back by popular demand at Bradford Literature Festival, join Rumi’s Circle to explore the roots of the whirling dervish sacred tradition
United for Peace, Birmingham Wed 10th May
Join us for an evening of poetry and whirling at the University of Birmingham: United for Peace: Unity through Poetry
The Messenger’s Gift
Robert Abdul Hayy Darr explores how training a parrot to speak using a mirror becomes, in Rumi’s hands, a metaphor for how revelation is transmitted to humankind.
International Women’s Day
A tribute from RC to our sisters on IWD. Please do share with the men and women who are dear to you, inspire you or you seek to empower.
The British Islam Conference Feb 25-26
We’re excited to be presenting at The British Islam Conference this year, organised by New Horizons. We’ll be speaking about Sufi Activism. Sufism recognises that harmony must be achieved between … Continue reading
Awakening to the Divine Feminine through Song
We are little late in sharing the reflection from our Sacred Feminine artist-in-residence, Mariana Kurko. Here are her reflections on her time with us, as well as a link to … Continue reading
America of the Heart: Whitman and Rumi
As we enter deeper into the introspection of the winter months and America continues to search its soul in the aftermath of the presidential election, I find myself turning to … Continue reading
Remembering Srebrenica Award Nomination!
We are honoured to have been nominated for Best Community-Focused Event for our Remembering Srebrenica event earlier this year! Our Healing Srebrenica evening of prayers and remembrance with poetry, music … Continue reading
Spiritual Activism, London Sat 7th Jan
Join Rumi’s Circle and St. Ethelburga’s for an evening with Dr Omid Safi, to discuss Spiritual Activism: Love and Justice in our Times. Faith communities find themselves under assault on … Continue reading
Happy New Year!
As we move forward to embrace the first day of this new year, we take a moment to consider how to embody love in the year ahead.
Wisdom – An Ongoing Conversation with Divine Reality
The Prophet Muhammad said, “Wisdom is like the truly faithful one’s stray camel; he (she) will recognize it when he (she) finds it.” Within the Way of Islam and the … Continue reading
Words from the East
The poetic tradition of the Mevlevi Order is not limited to the beautiful poetry of Mevlana Rumi. The Mevlevi Order has produced great poets, musicians, and artists throughout the centuries. … Continue reading
Urgent Unveiling
Reflections on Unveiling the Divine: Honouring the Sacred Feminine There’s a poem written by Key Ballah which for me captures some of what was happening during the Sacred Feminine gathering. … Continue reading
Rumi’s Urs 2016 Manchester, Bradford & London
Rumi’s Circle with Mevlevi whirling dervishes from The Threshold Society are pleased to announce the 2016 celebration of Mevlana Rumi’s Urs, the anniversary of his union with the Beloved. Join … Continue reading
Delicious Love!
Reflections on Unveiling the Divine: Honouring the Sacred Feminine ‘Don’t forget your heart’ – it might sound odd but we do exactly this, our religion and thinking can become stiff, … Continue reading
Reflections from Unveiling the Divine
We had a phenomenal gathering last weekend in Kendal honouring the Sacred Feminine. We will be sharing photos, video and audio from the gathering, also reflections from attendees and how … Continue reading
LIMITED CONCESSIONS Unveiling the Divine: Honouring the Sacred Feminine, Kendal Oct 14-16th
We have a small number of concessions available for people with limited financial means who are interested in participating in our gathering. To book your place, select the concessionary price … Continue reading
O Drunkard!
Why do you not keep the company of other drunks? Do you not see how your breath sickens the sober? Not content to sup in modest company, you threw yourself … Continue reading
We are all One, London Oct 9th
We are supporting Women of Peace One gathering in London on Sunday October 9th. Let us know if you will be there! With the breath of Peace and Unity , … Continue reading
Unveiling the Divine: Honouring the Sacred Feminine, Kendal Oct 14-16th
Join us for a weekend honouring the Sacred Feminine through conversation, heart reflections, meditation, prayer, music and movement. We are blessed to offer this gathering in the beautiful setting of … Continue reading
Friends for Change Meditation London Thu 11th Aug
Rumi’s Circle are supporting Friends for Change monthly meditation gatherings at St Ethelburga’s Tent in London. A different faith meditation is shared each month – come and experience the heart’s … Continue reading
Readings from Healing Srebrenica
Rumi’s Circle with the support of Chorlton Central Church brought together friends from different faith backgrounds to honour a lost generation of Bosnian men and boys, and to offer prayers … Continue reading
Rumi Retreat! Aug 26-29th
It’s that time of year again – registrations are open for the Threshold Society UK Annual Retreat (Aug 26-29th). Join us for a long weekend to deepen our spiritual understanding … Continue reading
Tweeting the Qur’an
This year was the second year that I read and tweeted the Qur’an, though also a first of sorts in that I started at the beginning, the previous year I … Continue reading
Eid Mubarak!
Eid Mubarak friends! May the blessings of Ramadan be with you year-long and may we meet each other in peace and goodwill. It is from My kindness that the smell … Continue reading
My Times With Rumi
My first encounter with Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi was many years ago in Boise, Idaho. I was living in Mexico at the time on a foreign service assignment and I used … Continue reading
SoulScript, London Fri 29th Jul
Join us for another SoulScript in St Ethelburga’s Tent. Friday 29th July, 1-2pm. We will continue exploring selections from the holy scriptures on the theme of the Divine Feminine with … Continue reading
Join us: Be Supportive. Be Supported.
Join us as we affirm our commitment to unity, compassion and service…and to work tirelessly with others to co-create a world that honours, respects and loves all people…
DATE CHANGE: Healing Srebrenica, Manchester Fri 8th Jul
Please note change of date! Friday 8th July, 2016 Chorlton Central Church, Barlow Moor Road, Manchester M21 8BF Please arrive by 7.15pm for 7.30pm prompt start. Free Entry. Generously supported … Continue reading
The Power of the Heart: In Memory of Muhammad Ali (1942-2016)
I want a heart torn open by longing to share the pain of this love. Whoever has been parted from his source longs to return to that state of union. … Continue reading
SoulScript, London Fri 17th Jun
17th June 2016 1-2pm The Tent, St Ethelbergas, 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AG Rumi’s Circle has for a while now been informally facilitating what it likes to call “SoulScript”. SoulScript … Continue reading
Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan Mubarak to all those who are fasting during this time! May it be blessed with worldly emptiness and spiritual fullness! O moon-faced Beloved, the month of Ramadan has arrived. … Continue reading
Come, Come, Whoever You Are
The super talented and beautifully humble Medina Tenour Whiteman sharing a Rumi poem, recorded at half-midnight in a hotel corridor in Bradford!