Courses

Testimonials

‘Studying and discussing the poetry of Keats in light of Rumi deepened my appreciation of both and augmented the perspectives and approaches I now have available to aim at spiritual growth.’

‘The structure, format, duration and timing worked really well. Having the session materials beforehand deepened my appreciation of each ode as I began and participated in each session.’

‘…it was beautiful and profound to see Rumi’s insights and guidance in the creative work of an “unrelated” non-Muslim poet and person.’

Explore Keats’ six famous odes, including ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ and ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’, through the mystical lens of Rumi and Sufism.

The famous Romantic poet John Keats was at heart a visionary mystic. Over six weeks, join Daniel Thomas Dyer as he dives into the wisdom of Rumi to explore the six famous odes written by Keats in 1819. Viewed through the lens of Sufism, the transcendent realities Keats was intuiting in his poems come into deeper, sharper focus, for they were familiar certainties to Rumi and the Sufis.

Each of the six odes will be explored in an online interactive discussion. To help unlock the beauty of the poems, wisdom from Rumi (and other sources) will be emailed to participants to aid in a rich, nuanced discussion. Sessions will include meditation to open the heart in receptivity to the beauty these poems offer.

Some key themes that will be discussed:

• The Knowing Heart
• The Ecstasy of Being
• Conscious Breathing
• The Sacred Feminine
• The Alchemical Work

Schedule

Meetings will be on Zoom: Wednesday, 7pm–8.30pm (UK time) on the following days:

• 10 June – Ode to Psyche
• 17 June – Ode on a Grecian Urn
• 24 June – Ode to a Nightingale
• 1 July – Ode on Melancholy
• 8 July – Ode on Indolence
• 15 July – To Autumn

An in-person workshop offered by Daniel Thomas Dyer, a whirling dervish in the Mevlevi Order and student of Shaikh Kabir Helminski and Camille Helminski. These workshops cater to communities and organisations wishing to explore Sufi whirling, poetry, and zhikr (chant). Events can be tailored according to your particular needs, but typically will comprise a two-hour morning session, lunch, followed by a two-hour afternoon session.

Participants experience the following:

• an introduction to Rumi, the history of whirling within Islam, and the Mevlevi Order
• an explanation of the symbolism of the postures and clothing
• a demonstration by a whirling dervish of the Mevlevi Order
• a lesson in whirling and an opportunity to practise
• an experience of Sufi poetry and music.

Read Daniel’s essay on whirling here.

Please contact us to discuss.

Testimonial

‘First of all my gratitude for an outstanding day. My heart was stirred and comforted, taken to another place. And a dream realised to turn for my Beloved that I thought would never happen. Bless you and thank you.’
Stephen W.

An e-course, offered in collaboration with Sufi teacher Camille Helminski, exploring the Ninety-Names of God intrinsic to Sufi Islam. Open to people of all faiths and backgrounds, the Names serve as a doorway to self-knowledge and intimacy with our Sustainer.

Beginning with an overview of all 99 Names, 26 of the Names will be explored in depth. In 15 sessions, sent to you at a pace that you choose, you will receive:

• reflections from Daniel on that day’s Name or Names
• Qur’an passages
• a suggested practice to deepen your experience of the teaching
• video recordings by Camille of poetry about the Divine Qualities
• Four zhikr (chanting) meditation audios interspersed along the way, to accompany the journey as it unfolds

You do not need prior experience of Islam or Sufism in order to join, and all interested people are welcome. This e-course is available at any time for $49.95 from Spirituality & Practice.

Check out Camille’s poetic guidebook to the Divine Names and Daniel’s family guidebook.

With the permission and guidance of Shaikh Kabir and Camille Helminski of the Threshold Society, Daniel facilitates a Sufi group that meets regularly to engage in the practice of the Mevlevi Order: meditation, zhikr, contemplation of Rumi’s poetry, and ritual prayer. This is ideal for anyone interested in a regular, committed work within the Mevlevi tradition. There is no charge to attend, and those wishing to participate should contact Daniel. Currently the group meets online via Zoom once every two weeks.

Some of the principles to which we aspire:

• To humbly honor and respect the knowledge and practices of the tradition.
• To cooperate with the intention and adab (courtesy) of the Circle.
• To seek to observe and transform our own egos and unconscious behaviors.
• To remember that we come together to work on ourselves and to increase our capacity for love, and, ultimately, to reach communion with the Divine.
• To let go of any tendencies to want to teach or “fix” others.

‘The format that has been established is meant to create an environment of trust so that we can truly open ourselves, shed our layers, dissolve our pains, and open our hearts. We need a spiritual recovery program, because there is a loss and absence of sacredness in our communities, institutions, and society. The tradition of Sufism is extremely rich. It offers us an education for the heart, a spiritual psychology, a science of inner knowing and transformation. In the end the love and grace that will flow from a circle of spiritual friends is one of the greatest gifts of life.’
Shaikh Kabir Helminski