|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Soul in the DesertWith Alan Heeks and guest leaders |
|
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||
|
"But the silence of the desert remains most potent |
 |
We invite and welcome you to join us on these outer and inner journeys into the Tunisian Sahara |
|
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||
|
The word for 'Soul' in the native traditions of the Middle East is Ruh, which also means breath, spirit, air and wind. |
|
||||||||||
|
In the endless width of the desert our soul can expand, our breath can become refined, surrender to and unite with the One more easily and profoundly - and find peace. |
|
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||
 |
Our tools will be concentrating on breath, wazifas, prayers, dances, and Sufi mysticism - the remembrance of the wonder of love, which we are. Also soul work, where we connect to the divine guidance (High Self) and faithfully invite all our inner selves to the table of hochma - Sophia - Divine Wisdom, for a meal together, communication and communion, for an integrated 'I AM' (Inana). |
 |
|
||||||||
 |
Much of the power of this retreat will come from the experience of the desert, and of being with Bedouin guides who still embody the nomadic wisdom and traditions, for example in their songs. So the programme will leave plenty of time free for this. |
 |
|
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||
|
Alan Heeks has a deep passion for the This will be the eighth journey he has organised with these Bedouin guides. He has co-led many vision quests and other groups, seeking alignment with nature and higher purpose. He is also works with community projects and is the author of The Natural Advantage, a guide to organic growth for people and organisations. |
 |
|
|||||||||
 |
|
 |
|
||||||||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||
 |
 |
This retreat is open both to Sufi initiates and to others who can share in this process. Everyone in the group will be asked to participate in the retreat. |
 |
|
|||||||
 |
 |
 |
THE DESERTThe Sahara is vast, beautiful, tough and inspiring. It offers a profound experience of wilderness, space and silence to explore and renew yourself. SW Tunisia where we travel is largely picture-book rolling sand dunes with gravel plains, scrub and occasional date groves. |
 |
|
||||||
|
Tunisia is an Arab country with a secular government that is politically stable, safe and welcoming to visitors. |
|
||||||||||
 |
THE BEDOUINOur Bedouin guides regularly assist retreat groups from Europe. They live partly nomadically, partly in a village near Douz. |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||
 |
They own the camels that transport our food and luggage, they cook for us and help us adapt to the desert. |
 |
 |
|
|||||||
 |
Several speak French, so this is a rare chance to communicate directly with people living in a land-based native tradition. |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||
|
The Bedouin are profound teachers. Their life is tough and basic, yet they are joyful people whose traditions are strong. Their days are a flowing dance uniting work, spirit, community and fun. |
|
||||||||||
|
Their songs, that they sing and drum to around the fire in the evening 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 their families. |
|
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
Alan has organised and co-led many journeys to the desert, so arrangements are well proven. Our payments go direct to the Bedouin, and help support them since traditional income sources have been eroded by modernity. |
 |
|
||||||||
 |
 |
NEXT: Rumi in the Desert
Page design by Palden Jenkins |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Website made with love by Palden Jenkins