Whirl in the Quantum Field of Oneness

Explore the intersection of Sufism, Tibetan Buddhism and quantum physics in the crucible of the Sama (whirling) to gain a deep experiential understanding of living in oneness and manifesting your dreams in service of the Greater by implanting new empowering beliefs and perceptions into your subconscious mind.

Whirling and chanting mantras take us into the quantum field where if we become empty of ourselves, we can open to the Greater to pour into us and through us, recreating us so we can become present, fully ALIVE, unchained creators. We can invite this energy that creates worlds and has created us in love, to heal and restore balance to the parts of us that need healing, and transmit healing to people, creatures, conditions and environments in need.

Discover how the latest findings of quantum physics mirror the wisdom of Sufis and Tibetan Buddhists. Journey with us into laa makan, the placeless place, where the mantras Om Mani Padme Hum and La Ilaha il Allah beckon us to become no-thing in order to become one with the All. Our vehicle is the Sama, the grand yet simple spin that characterizes everything in our universe from distant galaxies to the minute cells in our body—the practice that made Rumi Rumi!

This workshop demystifies the Sama, offering access to the age-old practice of the legendary Sufi masters Rumi and Shams in a few simple steps. This method allows people of all experience levels to turn for a sustained period with ease. One enters the Sama, listening with the heart, generating theta and even gamma brain wave states, and pure ecstasy.

Banafsheh will guide you to prepare your chalice, your body with grounding, centering and emptying techniques so you can experience the profound transformative and healing powers of whirling. Andrew Harvey will recite the love poems of Rumi that flowered from Rumi as he whirled, and together with Banafsheh, who will recite the poetry in the original Persian, will lead the group into the depth of the mantra La illaha il Allah, and the history, symbolism and philosophy of the Sama as a complete spiritual path. Dr. Jim Garrison will lead the group in understanding and experiencing the symmetry between the fourfold path of the Sama, the Tibetan mantra Om Mani Padme Hum and the mantra La illaha il Allah. Finally, with special guest Dr. Calen Rayne, we will walk and whirl in a labyrinth and explore the teachings and significance of the labyrinth and its deep resonance with whirling.

The workshop will come to a crescendo on December 17th with an evening celebration of Rumi’s Wedding Night or Shab-e Arus, his dying into union with the Beloved that invites all of us into living in union with the Beloved. Banafsheh and Andrew will perform dance and poetry from their work In the Fire of Grace with special guests followed by a group whirling ceremony.

Our days are a balance between movement, whirling, ritual, chanting Sufi zikr and the Tibetan mantra Om Mani Padme Hum, teachings in Sufism, Buddhism and quantum physics, walking the labyrinth, exploring the gorgeous sacred land where Menla is located and nurturing our bodies with delicious organic meals and healing body work.

Join us to experience and measure to what extent a group of us whirling to channel transformative blessings into the world can heal ourselves and the world.
All levels welcome. This is a movement based workshop, so be prepared to move! Participants with limited mobility are also welcome to attend and participate with seated meditation.

You will learn:

• The transformative movement meditation of Sama or whirling
• The philosophy, history, symbolism, and inner meaning of the Sama as a complete spiritual path
• Sufi zikr (remembrance) which is the name given to the practice of chanting the names of the divine
• The philosophy of the zikr
• The symmetry between the fourfold path of the Sama, the Tibetan mantra Om Mani Padme Hum and the mantra La ilaha il Allah
• Parallels between Sufism, Buddhism and quantum physics and their practical implications for personal, collective and environmental healing and transformation

What students are saying:

We are learning embodied connection to our Divine nature. There have been remarkable shifts into peace for me. The preparation for “whirling” and connecting to our source energy was meticulous and thorough with great attention being given to precision and detail.

– Jyoti Louise Bruun

This practice of oneness through dance with the Beloved that is so alive in the being of you, Banafsheh, has been a total joy! A truly transformational & healing journey deeper into the love within, into the Beloved. Thank you, for the gentleness & humbleness with which you teach. Thank you for touching my heart with such deep beauty and for the reminder that the love comes from within.

– Niomi Starspires

Schedule 

Friday, December 13th         

• 3 – 8pm Check-In
• 6 – 7pm Dinner
• 8 -9:30pm Welcome and Evening Program

Saturday, December 14th      

• 8 – 9am Breakfast
• 9:30am – 12pm Morning Program
• 12:15 – 1:15pm Lunch
• 1:15 – 4pm Free Time for Spa Treatments, Swimming, etc
• 4 – 6:30pm Afternoon Program
• 6:30 – 7:30pm Dinner
• 8 – 9:30pm Evening Program

Sunday, December 15th      

• 8 – 9am Breakfast
• 9:30am – 12pm Morning Program
• 12:15 – 1:15pm Lunch
• 1:15 – 4pm Free Time for Spa Treatments, Swimming, etc
• 4 – 6:30pm Afternoon Program
• 6:30 – 7:30pm Dinner

Monday, December 16th      

• 8 – 9am Breakfast
• 9:30am – 12pm Morning Program
• 12:15 – 1:15pm Lunch
• 1:15 – 4pm Free Time for Spa Treatments, Swimming, etc
• 4 – 6:30pm Afternoon Program
• 6:30 – 7:30pm Dinner

Tuesday, December 17th      

• 8 – 9am Breakfast
• 9:30am – 12pm Morning Program
• 12:15 – 1:15pm Lunch
• 1:15 – 5pm Free Time for Spa Treatments, Swimming, etc
• 5 – 6:30pm Afternoon Program
• 6:30 – 7:30pm Dinner

Wednesday, December 18th

• 8 – 9am Breakfast & Check-Out
• 9:30am – 12pm Morning Program
• 7:30 – 11am Check-out of Rooms
• 12:15 – 1:15pm Lunch and Departure
  

* Schedule subject to change at any time.