Week-long Ibn 'Arabi Study Retreat: The Ground of Beneficence

Saturday, 26th August, 2017

A Study Retreat led by Peter Coates

What kind of retreat is it?
Ibn Arabi wrote "Retreat brings knowledge of the world".
This course, in the spirit of active and intentional retreat aims to open a space for real knowledge to emerge through focused study, spiritual practice, meditation, work and private contemplation. All of these dimensions are held in equal regard as each is a direct way to be of service to Reality, to our fellow human beings and to the world.

The first three to four days will be spent revisiting the Twenty-nine Pages in which we will seek to uncover its relevance and meaning. This will be followed by two to three days reading the short chapter on the prophet Loqman from the Fusus al Hikam in the light of the metaphysics of Beneficence.

The ‘Fusus al-Hikam’, or ‘Bezels of Wisdom’, is a major work by Ibn 'Arabi dating from the 13th century. Its theme is the Infinite Wisdom that is at once unique in itself and many faceted in its representation in the line of prophets from Adam to Mohammed. It is simultaneously an explanation of the profoundest meaning of human existence and the possibility of its realisation.

This course is somewhat of an experimental development combining what some would see as a more-than-metaphysical perspective with the 'Wisdom of Beneficence’.

Read Peter Coates' short review of the Twenty-nine Pages on the Beshara Publications website.

Read more about Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi and the Fusus al Hikam.

Peter Coates
Peter is the author of Ibn 'Arabi and Modern Thought: The History of Taking Metaphysics Seriously. He graduated from the University of Lancaster and researched at Keble College, University of Oxford. He was Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, Dept of Psychology, at The University of Lincoln. Peter has been connected with the dissemination of Ibn 'Arabi's universal perspective for many years. He has given talks on Ibn 'Arabi and Plato, Ibn 'Arabi and Kierkegaard, and Ibn 'Arabi and William James. He has also written on Ibn 'Arabi and the Ecological Crisis. He served as a Director of the Chisholme Institute for many years and helped supervise the six-month winter retreats at Chisholme. He has travelled, by invitation, to Australia, America, Morocco and a number of UK destinations giving talks and facilitating courses.

The Course:
The course is a residential retreat, starting on Saturday evening (7pm) and running until after lunch on the following Saturday (2pm). The timetable will incorporate meditation, study, conversation, devotional practice and practical work in the house, kitchen or garden, all in the spirit of service.

Cost:
Shared accommodation (double or triple bedroom) £325
Single room accommodation (when available £375)
This includes all meals and refreshments.
A non-refundable deposit of £60 should be paid when booking to confirm your place. The balance can be paid once at Chisholme.

Non-residents:
Subject to the agreement of the retreat facilitator and the availability of places, non-residents may be able attend this week for £180. This will include coffee, lunch and tea. Concessions may be possible, for example to anyone attending more than one week in 2017.

Note on course fees: There are no standard concessions offered because the fees have already been kept low. However, we do want the courses to be available for people on low incomes. If the fee is a genuine difficulty for you then perhaps we can help.

50% reduced fees for participation in two or more week-long courses this year.
Courses at Chisholme are priced with understanding that they need to be in reach of those who will benefit from them while also covering costs. Despite the low suggested fee it is appreciated that for many the cost of attending more than one course in a year can be prohibitive.
To help enable you to join a second (or third!) course in a year the suggested fee for a second (and subsequent) week taken in any calendar year will be 50% of the full rate.
Reductions are available provided the full fee for the first course has been paid. The full deposit is still required to confirm a booking for second courses. Other conditions may apply.

Location Chisholme House is set on a beautiful estate in the moors of the Scottish Borders, an hour from Edinburgh, Newcastle and Carlisle. The main house looks out over glorious landscaped grounds, and woods of native trees encircle the estate.

Meals:
The Chisholme kitchen provides food in keeping with the spiritual and material aims of its education. Chisholme is not vegetarian but meat is prepared with the deepest respect for its benefit and origin. Meanwhile vegetarian dishes comprise the majority of the food served and are always available as an option. We are unable to meet vegan requirements. However, special diets can be catered for where there is a medical reason. Please let us know your needs when you book your stay.

Booking:
Book now at the top of the page, or write to info@chisholme.org
Tel +44 (0)1450 880 215