Kabir Helminski, Author at The Threshold Society

The Seven Rivers of Damascus

I remember vividly my first impression of Asad Ali as he opened the door of his home. This “Arab ascetic” was dressed in a stylish white suit and greeted us with a broad smile and a flamboyant “Salaam! Salaam!” We were about to enter a new world of cultivated meaning, high conversation, and spiritual refinement. It is said that the high art of the Arab is rhetoric, and in Damascus, we witnessed a love of language and mystical discourse greater than anything we had so far experienced.

Mawlana Asad Ali

1937-2026

On February 6 we received word that our beloved mentor, guide, and inspiration, Dr. Asad Ali had passed away. This spiritual friendship began in 1989 when, by an extraordinary set of circumstances, Camille and I were invited to travel to Damascus to meet this great friend of God, scholar, and literary figure.

The Threshold Approach to Spiritual Development

Wishing to express Threshold's approach to spiritual awakening, development, realization, here and now in the year 2025, we offer these words. It is using all of our human faculties illuminated by the finer energies of divine love. It is nothing less than an awakening of the heart that transforms our relationships, and reveals a new [...]

Kabir on Translating Rumi

On April 26, 2025 Kabir was invited to speak at the San Diego Public Library on the subject of Translating Rumi. Thanks to Shadab Zeest Hashmi for arranging and hosting this event. The team that made it happen, Fellow Poets: Rema, Sam, Ish, Shadab; Shamim (made great hummus), Kabir, Cara Helminski, Sandra (MFA Director).

Suleyman Dede (1904-January 19, 1985)

"The one in whom poverty is complete is the one in whom God appears" ~Shams of Tabriz

Think and Speak the Positive (Source Quotes)

"O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness (Shahid) and a bringer of good tidings (Basheer) and a warner (Nazeer). And one who invites to Allah (Daee) , by His permission, and an illuminating lamp (Sirajan Munira)" [Al-Ahzab 33:45-46]. “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day must either speak good or remain silent” (al-Bukhari, Muslim) [...]

The Idea of Spiritual Training

From The Knowing Heart The role of a Sufi teacher in modern culture is analagous to an athletic coach who would like to train people to develop their abilities to an Olympic level. He would have been educated for this and have the appropriate degree. Without necessarily being the greatest athlete himself, he would be [...]

Kabir.Helminski

About Kabir Helminski