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RUMI IN THE DESERT

A Retreat in the Tunisian Sahara
October 2010

with Wali and Ariënne van der Zwan,
and Alan Heeks

Calling all lovers!
It is time to break camp in this material world.
From the Universe, I hear the drum of departure calling me.
The driver was up long ago and prepared the camels.
- Rumi

Rumi's poems delight in the joys and mysteries of life, and so will this group. Travelling by foot and camel with wonderful Bedouin guides, resting under palm trees, sharing camp fires and starlit skies, this is a magical inner and outer journey.

Like Rumi, we will explore the Sufi path - an open-hearted outlook, seeing divine unity in all life, expressed through poetry, songs, wazifas (Arabic mantras), and dance. There will also be lots of free time for you to relax and make your own connection with the huge space, silence and beauty of the desert, and an option of 24 or 48 hours solo or retreat time.

Wali and Ariënne van der Zwan are leading international teachers in the Sufi Ruhaniat Order and of Dances of Universal Peace. Their approach embodies joy, delight and depth, and they have a particular love for Rumi. Wali and Ariënne are Dutch, living in Germany, and fluent in several languages - including the voice of the heart!

Alan Heeks has a deep passion for the desert’s spiritual traditions, Sufi, Christian and Islamic, and for the Sahara and its people. This will be the tenth journey he has organized with these Bedouin guides. He has co-led many vision quests and other groups, seeking alignment with nature and higher purpose. He is helping to create cohousing communities in England, and is the author of The Natural Advantage, a guide to organic growth for people and organisations.

THE DESERT

The Sahara is vast, beautiful, tough and inspiring. It offers you a profound experience of wilderness, the space and silence to explore questions and renew yourself. The area in south-west Tunisia where we will be travelling is largely picture-book rolling sand dunes as well as gravel plains, scrub, and occasional date groves. Tunisia is a liberal Arab country that is politically stable, safe, and very welcoming to visitors.

THE BEDOUIN

The Bedouin who will guide us regularly assist retreat groups from Europe. They live partly nomadically, partly in a village near Douz. They own the camels that will transport our food and luggage, they will cook for us and help us adapt to the desert. Several speak French, so this is a rare chance to communicate directly with people still living in a land-based native tradition.

The Bedouin are profound teachers. Although their life is materially tough and basic, they are joyful people whose traditional culture is still strong. Their days really are a flowing dance uniting work, spirit, community and fun. Their songs move from praise of Allah through romantic ballads to children's play songs. Besides travelling in the desert with the Bedouin men we will also visit their village to meet the Bedouin families.

DESERT JOURNEYS

This will be the tenth desert journey that Alan has organized and co-led, so the arrangements are well proven. Our payments go direct to the Bedouin, and help support them since their traditional income sources have been eroded.

2010 RUMI IN THE DESERT ITINERARY

Note: the timing is designed so that you can use various charter or scheduled flights from different European cities. The core time is shown below. Before and after these dates we can help with hotel bookings, but you need to pay separately for this.

Thursday Oct 14: Transport will be provided from Djerba (minibus or 4x4, leaving 2pm) and from Tunis (train/taxi) to Douz, a lovely, friendly oasis town.

Friday October 15: First gathering as a group, time to buy desert clothing (burnus, chech etc). In afternoon, travel into the desert by 4x4 and then on foot with our Bedouin guides.

Saturday October 16th: Walking in the morning and afternoon, with a siesta. In late afternoon we arrive at Wainatraj, the semi-oasis where we stay for the next five nights.

Sunday October 17-Thurs Oct 21: Staying at Wainatraj, including the option of a 48 or 24 hour solo vigil time.

Friday October 22: Walking in the morning and afternoon, with a siesta. We will visit the ruins of the house and village where many of our Bedouin guides were born.

Saturday October 23: Walking in the morning, then saying goodbye to the Bedouin. After lunch, a short drive to Douz, with free time and showers! That evening, we travel to the house where some of our Bedouin guides live, and meet with the wives and children. This is always an unforgettable party!

Sunday October 24: In the morning, drive to Djerba, around four hours. Free afternoon. Staying in a lovely foundouk (former inn for camel caravans in the old town).

Monday October 25th: Free day in Djerba. Option of time on the beach. Celebratory dinner in evening.

Tuesday October 26: Group finishes.

NEXT: Letters from the Desert