VISION OF BARAKA
Kabir Helminski on the living tradition of spiritual transformation and the vision of the Baraka Institute, a non-sectarian, collaborative initiative, offering residential retreats, as well as online media and courses. Available in 3 parts.
Kabir on “The beautiful values of Islam”
At the UMA 25th Anniversary Dinner
THE QUR’AN FOR SPIRITUAL SEEKERS telecourse
I have wanted for a long time to attempt to share my enthusiasm for the Qur’an and the truth that can be found in it when it is approached without too many preconceptions. With my dear friend and colleague, Mahmoud Mostafa, we would like to explore what the Qur’an says about the deeper matters of the spiritual life. In other words, what does it say to those who have committed themselves to the spiritual journey.
~Kabir Helminski
The Qur’an has had an incalculable effect on some of the greatest minds of humanity and on humanity itself. And yet it remains surprisingly unapproachable to many.
The Friends of God (the saints, awliya in Arabic) find in the Qur’an the axioms of a spiritual science, the metaphors that touch the soul, and secrets that whisper to the heart.
If you are interested in taking the archived version of this course email Mary Ann: brussat@spiritualrx.com
HIGHLIGHTS FROM BARAKA RETREAT 2010
Watch highlights from the July 2010 Baraka Retreat on “Spiritual Intelligence” with Ali Allawi, Jamal Rahman, Camille & Kabir Helminski.
Includes a nasheed by Seemi Ghazi and a zhikr ceremony. Available in four parts.
ISLAM AND HUMAN VALUES
Islam and Human Values by Kabir Helminski (with input from leading scholars) was written to address the urgent questions, misunderstandings, and distortions of Islam that are all too prevalent today. The need for a document like this seems to grow daily in the face of Islamophobic propaganda and extremist versions of Islam. Islam and Human Values makes the case that there is an intrinsic Islam with the Qur’an as its reference point that stands for religious pluralism, freedom of conscience, human dignity, social justice, and the spiritual transformation of human beings. It is our hope to raise funds to print a small booklet, illustrated by photos of Western Muslims by great photographers like Peter Sanders, to distribute widely in the English speaking world. This current document may be downloaded and freely distributed. Download the document.
FEMALE PERSPECTIVES OF THE QURAN by Amina Wadud
Amina Wadud, internationally respected Quranic scholar, talks about her life’s work, which has included new insights into how our understanding and appreciation of the Qur’an might benefit from the inclusion of women’s perspectives. The Quran has for centuries been interpreted almost exclusively by men, and some of their assumptions have resulted in excluding or marginalizing women’s sensibilities that could make an important contribution to our understanding. Listen to Amina.
THE POLITICS OF FICTION: A talk by Elif Shafak
Elif Shafak is the most-read female author in Turkey, where she is as well known for her descriptions of backstreet Istanbul as she is for her global and multicultural perspective. Her writing is at once rooted in her politically feminist education and her deep respect for and knowledge of Sufism and Ottoman culture. In her most recent novel, The Forty Rules of Love, two powerful parallel narratives take the reader from contemporary Boston to thirteenth-century Konya, where the Sufi poet Rumi encountered his spiritual mentor, the whirling dervish known as Shams.
In this talk she emphasizes the need for us all to get beyond our limited “circle” of like-minded people. We at Baraka feel that the spiritual implications of her talk are profound.
9 MINUTE TED TALK ON HOW TO READ THE QURAN
Lesley Hazleton explores the Koran and finds much that is quite different from what is reported in commonly cited accounts.
THE NIGHT OF POWER & SURAH AL QADR, teleconference
On Monday, September 6th, Shaikh Kabir and Camille Helminski, with Mahmoud Mostafa, spoke for about 40 minutes with friends from the Baraka community. The Night of Al Qadr was when the Prophet, may he be blessed, in utter receptive stillness received a message that would transform a large portion of humanity. Al Qadr is the singular power that offers to each soul a unique destiny and peace of heart. You can listen to a recording of that call.
Beyond Dogma
ARTICLES
Islam without Extremes
ARTICLES
Baraka Retreat, Oakland, March 23-25
ARTICLES
2 Poems by Mansur Al Hallaj
ARTICLES
SAVE THE DATES: Next year’s retreat, July 13-15, 2012
EVENTS
On The Inner Dimensions of Islam
ARTICLES
Qur'an 30:30-32
