Our openness, our relatedness, and our engagement are the measure of our love.
~Living Presence

We welcome your reflections on this theme.

~ Bengü Ergüner-Tekinalp

We have completed an incredible year of study with Kabir Dede, dervish leaders, and a community of seekers. Reflecting on this experience touches the soul in ways that words can't fully capture. Even on a surface level, the Mysterion School offers a unique opportunity to read a book with its author by our side! I cherished the stories behind the various sections Dede shared with us. It was deeply moving to learn about the teachers and how their wisdom is woven into the pages and to feel their fragrance in our gatherings.

Like many others, I read Living Presence repeatedly over the years. My journey began with an academic approach to mindfulness, then gradually evolved as I engaged with the book from a spiritual perspective. I read the Turkish translation, listened to the audiobook, and returned to reread the text. Yet, nothing could compare to the experience of reading it under the guidance of Dede and surrounded by a supportive community. It felt as if the book revealed new sentences I had somehow missed before. As I navigated both expected and unexpected changes in my personal life while witnessing global horrors, the Mysterion School became a sanctuary for me.

Dede explained that the book is not simply a collection of techniques but intended to serve as a map, guiding us into a new reality and a journey toward the Truth. Throughout this journey, we were equipped with essential tools and signposts. The Laws of the Khwajagan brought the ideas to life. We began by focusing on our breath, gradually moving to a deeper awareness of our bodies, engaging in mindful steps and appropriate actions, and turning inward and learning to melt into a state of remembrance and presence.

In our last meeting, the culmination of the practices and teachings was expressed beautifully in an ilahi sung by Ana (a beautiful surprise) and Dede. It was a lovely transition to start the school in the headspace with definitions, terms and ideas and move deeper and deeper into the heartspace, ending with a soul-uplifting ilahi embodying remembrance and presence. Living Presence concludes with the sentence: "circles of remembrance offer hope for the future of humanness on this planet." For me, the Mysterion School and the Threshold community embody that hope.

~ Bengü Ergüner-Tekinalp is a native of Turkiye, a seeker on the path of Love, counselor educator; she is joyfully navigating life with her husband and two daughters, a dog, a cat, and a flock of chickens in Iowa, US.

Shaikh Kabir Helminski was invited as keynote speaker at the Pacifica Institute Sufi Night. Watch the video below.

Camille recites her opening poetic reflection on the Divine Names Ar Rahman, The Infinitely Compassionate One, and Ar Rahim, The Infinitely Merciful One. Watch the video below.

~ Denise Saludares [California, USA]

Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem. I begin in the name of the Source of Life and Being.

When I think of justice, my mind immediately goes to what I believe is unjust, and all of the atrocities in the world fill my head. Instead of feeling an intense urge to fight back or feeling motivated to actively protest, I instead freeze and feel helpless. My inability to actually do something makes me think that I have become desensitized and numb to the intense suffering in the world, and makes me feel complicit in the cruelty. I am living a privileged first-world life—I do not need to worry about my next meal, shelter, medicine, or safety. While I am grateful for all of the blessings in my life, I still feel guilt and shame for not doing more for others.

So how can I write about justice uplifted by love without feeling like a hypocrite? I can write about my truth, which at this moment is not very favorable. I can also point to the words of our teachers for guidance and solace. In The Knowing Heart, Kabir Dede answers the question of why “we live in a world of such injustices and horrors” if we are living in Love’s Universe.

Life brings us very real suffering, and this suffering can be the cause of some doubt about the beneficence of life. Often, when we are in the midst of our suffering, we cannot see a purpose in it. We may lose our trust in the meaning of life. The soul faces a critical choice at this point: whether to be embittered by reality or to allow the pain of life to reorient us to a deeper truth, to help us form a connection to a reality beyond space, time, and even beyond our individual selves.

The idea that we live in a universe created by love is anything but sentimental and naive, because it does not deny the pain of life but embraces this complex reality with all its contradictions. We see that we are turned from one feeling to another and taught by means of opposites and contrasts.

He alone has the right to break,
for he alone has the power to mend.
He that knows how to sew together
knows how to tear apart:
whatever He sells,
He buys something better in exchange.
He lays the house in ruins;
then in a moment He makes it more livable than before.
[Rumi, Mathnawi I, 3882]

Sometimes we need to be shocked out of our complacency and indifference to know the reality of love. We need to find a way to restore the proper perspective. We need to be reminded of the centrality of love.

Without becoming passive, we must stop resisting and submit to love. We begin to see the infinite power of Love as the greatest cause in the universe and little by little we begin to serve it. Eventually, we begin to see that even a bitter drink is sweet when it is from the Beloved.

Knowing that Love is the master of the universe helps us to accept and learn from every experience. Knowing that there is an eternal dimension residing here in intimate association with material existence will begin to free us from fears. When we are less governed by negative thoughts about God's creation, we will be freed from many fears.

[The Knowing Heart, Kabir Helminski]

Taking Kabir Dede’s words to heart makes me think not only of the actual “injustices and horrors” globally, but also of my imagined, petty injustices of day-to-day life. Sometimes I feel that something is unjust, so much so that I feel self-righteous about it. This self-righteous part of me argues in an attempt to prove a point, does not back down, and feels justified in its actions and words. It is a part of me that can become emotionally invested and so entirely identified that it makes itself—myself—an idol.

Help me with this ego of mine
that is seeking help from You;
I seek justice from no one
but this justice-seeking self.
I shall not get justice from anyone
except Him who is nearer to me than myself;
for this I-ness comes moment by moment from Him.
[Rumi, Mathnawi I, 2195-98]

When I feel wronged in some way, instead of speaking from my self-righteous self that is seeking justice, what would happen if I could speak from a place of love? How do I cultivate this place of love? I can nurture the twelve fruits of love: kindness, humbleness, guilelessness, patience, forgiveness, endurance, cheerfulness, encouragement, courtesy, unselfishness, courage, and keeping one’s word. I can also embody, “La illaha il Allah,” say goodbye to all the guests in my guest house—the self-righteous one, the one who feels resistant in writing this piece, the one who feels helpless and yet complicit in the atrocities of the world, the one who feels guilty and shameful for feeling complicit, the one who feels like a hypocrite, the one who feels emotionally invested and identified, and even the one who feels grateful—and make room for the True Friend, Haqq Dost.

~ Denise lives in California with her family.

An international celebration of Mevlana Rumi’s union with the Beloved – the anniversary of his passing into the Unseen – with an online gathering of remembrance. Shaikh Kabir & Camille Helminski lead Mevlevi whirling dervishes in zhikr, music, and poetry on the theme of 'Court of Truth'. Ney improvisation by Selcuk Gurez. Held on Sunday Dec 15th, 2024.
Watch the video below.

~ Mary Khalila Platt

Our Portland, Oregon Threshold community spans the globe, compliments of zoom, and includes about a dozen locals. It was a delight to have several out-of-town members join us for a day-long retreat Sunday December 1 led by our Khalifa Khadim Chishti.

Through the chilly fog we unloaded prayer rugs, the Threshold banner, the Quran, several copies of the 99 Names of God references, flowers and, for someone taking hand, a sheepskin and sikke. As we breathed our way into our circle Khadim asked us why we came. Why go on retreat? The answers varied. Some came to open their heart, some to reorient themselves in the atmosphere of Love, others came to enjoy a community devoted to spiritual ideals. Someone was eager to listen to wisdom, some came to draw closer to God, someone else longed to experience a world beyond symptoms.  

There are different kinds of retreats, Khadim explained. They range from solitary guided experiences of several days to acts of remembrance in a group, some involve speakers of wisdom, some involve long periods of silence. This retreat would be interactive wherein we would attune to each other and feel the nuances of spiritual energy. The breath, she explained, is essential. The breath is a doorway into the Divine Presence.

Our initial exchanges took shape around the question of our life message. We were asked to reflect on the imprint we make in the world through our daily life. The question, Khadim explained, has the potential to keep us awake. For a few it seemed impossible to know. Perhaps our friends could tell us? Others recognized their acts of inclusivity. Someone else saw their hand in the acts of beauty, another in creatively engaging obstacles in the service of harmony and reconciliation.

Khadim drew us back with the reassurance that we all progress at different rates, in God’s time. Patience is needed. We can create conditions favorable to our maturation. At the same time, we may not be the best judge of our spiritual ripening. Next Khadim scattered slips of paper for us to claim. Each paper had one of the Names of God. We spent the remainder of the day becoming acquainted and deepening that relationship. A second round gave us another Name to take to heart.

Rumi’s poetry accompanied us throughout the day.

Each moment contains
A hundred messages from God:
To every cry of “Oh Lord,”
He answers a hundred times, “I am here."
[Mathnawi I:1578]

A final question: “What is spiritual hygiene?” For one it is to reduce distractions, another person steps away from the rational mind, someone else makes amends. Ablutions and the sequence of our Mevlevi zikr serves someone else’s needs. Khadim reminded us to gather ourselves and consciously breathe as we enter a new space – especially as we enter our tekke. She reminded us that light as well as water cleanses our spirit. Participation in our weekly circle is another kind of spiritual hygiene.

Finally, a review of our day, free of censure and alight with awareness, affords us an opportunity to ask for forgiveness and complete our spiritual hygiene before sleep. We shared a beautiful zikr practice and the pleasure of gathering Margaret into the arms of our community.

The Source of Abundance

with Khadim Chishti
Wisconsin USA, January 31st - February 2nd 2025
Holy Wisdom Monastery, Middleton, WI

God’s Abundance continually flows into creation. What are the ways we are guided to know and trust this Source of Abundance? During the weekend we will explore and deepen our knowledge and connection to “The Source of Abundance” through the Qur’an, Rumi’s teachings, zikr, silence, prayer, and conversation.

Las Palmas Garden 2025 Calendar
An offering with love from Camille Hamilton Adams Helminski
Designed with Matthew Helminski for Sweet Lady Press

2025 calendar containing vibrant photographs of flowers of the month, from the garden beyond the door of Camille’s home. Each month is also accompanied by a verse from Mevlana Rumi or sacred text, lunar phases, religious holidays honored from multiple faiths, and select USA & global remembrance days.

Mark your way through the year with beauty and grace.

Whoever is sitting with friends
Is in the midst of a flower garden.
[Rumi, Mathnawi IV:1976]

April: Orange blossoms         June: Munstead Wood Rose      August: Guava Blossom

Jan 5th

Join us for a monthly online meditation and sohbet with Shaikh Kabir and special guests from the Threshold community. Held on the 1st Sunday of every month at 12pm Eastern Time (5pm UK).

Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/435138208
Zoom passcode: threshold

Watch last month's meeting below and see all our videos here.

The Threshold Society, rooted within the traditions of Sufism and inspired by the life and work of Mevlâna Jalâluddîn Rumi, is a non-profit educational foundation with the purpose of facilitating the experience of Divine Unity, Love, and Truth in the world. Sufism is a living tradition of human transformation through love and higher consciousness. Our fundamental framework is classical Sufism and the Qur’an as it has been understood over the centuries by the great Sufis. The Society is affiliated with the Mevlevi Order, and offers training programs, seminars and retreats around the world.

Each month we intend to highlight an article about our lineage and its principles. You can find our core articles here. We encourage our community to read and reread these regularly.

Each month we intend to highlight an article about our lineage and its principles. This month we offer: Threshold Glossary.

***

Threshold Glossary

Definition of a definition: Some of the following definitions are offered for linguistic consistency and clarity; some of these also carry a teaching. For example, the definition of a “dervish”: one who stands at the threshold between slavery and freedom. “A definition has to cover all kindred aspects of what is being defined, and should be free from all aspects that don’t agree with it” (Hasan Tahsin Baba).

Abundant life: Living life fully and being consciously aware of becoming whole with your mind, body, soul, and ecology.

Adab: Spiritual courtesy. This refined and conscious form of spiritual courtesy helps to create an atmosphere of respect and affection which supports the process of transformation. It is one of the most important practices of the Sufi path.

Appropriateness: The child of love and humbleness.

Ashk (Turkish)/eshq (Farsi): In Sufi usage, deep spiritual love.

Attainment: The progress in using human faculties. Something is an attainment if it can be produced at will.

Attribute: The Divine Qualities and Meanings that are the real causative factors of the manifestation of material existence.

Awareness: Any perception; not necessarily “conscious.”

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Jan 31 - Feb 2, 2025: Madison Retreat with Khadim Chishti, more details

Sep 26-29, 2025: UK Annual Retreat at The Vedanta, Lincolnshire

We’d love to hear from you — get in touch at eyeoftheheart@sufism.org

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