Abode Village View – Month of April
Update from the Executive Director – Al Bellenchia
Dear Friends,
In just a few days, we will open our doors to a new season. We have been busy preparing the Abode to welcome visitors and guests, and are excited about the months ahead.
We kick off this coming Friday with Passover Seder, being led by longtime friends Akbar and Sarah Leila Manolson. Please join us in wishing our friend Pir Netanel a full recovery from his recent health issues.
Passover will be followed by an Open House weekend full of activities conducted by many members of our community. For full details, please see the information on our Programs page. Join us for all or any part of the festivities!
We are currently installing new carpeting in Quddus, our meditation hall. Many hands have come together to prepare the building for this freshening. This investment is long overdue, and the carpet we have chosen is environmentally-friendly, durable, and will complement the aesthetics of the building. Come check it out.
Our recent work days have been a wonderful assembly of friends from near and far who have come to help spiff up the Abode for the season ahead. We are also welcoming returning and new staff members, and already have a strong core of volunteers. The energy and spirit are rising along with warmth and light of Spring.
At our community gathering last month, we discussed the path we are taking toward sustainability. The vision for the Abode’s future, and the changes we are making, is to operate the Abode more fully as an interfaith retreat and spiritual center, with the Message, and its practices and teachings, as its core.
Our mission states that we are “a sanctuary for Sufis and Seekers.” As we head towards our 45th anniversary, our ability to welcome and hold both in greater numbers is critical to sustaining the legacy that Pir Vilayat and the founders began in 1975. The Message as the answer to the cry of humanity has never been more relevant than it is today.
Many paths lead to the Abode, and the beauty and strength of the call to this place rests not only in the natural splendor, but also in the clarity of the Message, and our community coming together in service.
Chag sameach, happy Easter, blessed Earth Day.
Al
Update from the Assistant Director – Jamelah Zidan
In I979 Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan wrote, “Our purpose is to provide a lifestyle in an environment more conducive to the unfoldment of the individual, to broaden people’s field of activity and to provide more psychological and spiritual space by replacing competitiveness with cooperation.”
What was needed for cooperation in 1979 seems to me not much more than good will and hands to work. I’ve heard many stories from long-timers of sleeping in closets, the origins of the first bathtub on campus, and the debate on the ethical removal of rats.
What is needed now is still good will and hands to work, but most importantly, an invitation to the outside world. While inviting three new volunteers (with more to come!) we’re having conversations on developing programs and building further relationships with a variety of local initiatives:
- Chatham Area Interfaith Council
- Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC)
- New Lebanon Library
I’m very excited about the work to be done with HVCC. In March, Dr. Roger A. Ramsammy, the new HVCC president, invited religious leaders of the Capital Region to gather together for the inaugural Interfaith Community Forum. There was dialogue around the needs of various communities in our region. I shared how the Abode could serve in the future as retreat space for our neighbors, and potentially a place for those attending HVCC to get hands on learning experience. Dr. Ramsammy and others from the college will be visiting the Abode sometime soon, and our collaboration together will inshallah lead to a fruitful partnership.
By inviting those who previously knew little about us, and extending a hand to a diverse group of seekers we further Pir Vilayat’s initial vision. I’m hopeful about the work we’re doing here and I look forward to seeing you and someone new at a meal sometime soon.
Warmly,
Jamelah
Abode Weekly Village View
Upcoming Week’s Events
Monday, April 15
– Community Lunch – Razzaq Dining Hall – 12:30 pm
Tuesday, April 16
– Community Breakfast – Razzaq Dining Hall – 8:00 am
– Community Dinner with Chef Fatimata – Razzaq Dining Hall – 6:00 pm – Fish, pasta, potato stew, salad bar *Menu subject to change*
– The Mandorla: Integrating Light & Shadow Gateways Class with Ramsay – Razzaq Library – 7:00 pm – No RSVP required, but arrival before 7 is appreciated!
Wednesday, April 17
– Community Lunch – Razzaq Dining Hall – 12:30 pm
Thursday, April 18
– Community Lunch with Chef Fatimata – Razzaq Dining Hall – 12:30 pm – Vegetable soup, green bean stew, rice, salad bar *Menu subject to change*
– Community Dinner with Chef Fatimata – Razzaq Dining Hall – 6:00 pm – Chicken stir fry, tofu stir fry, rice, broccoli, salad bar *Menu subject to change*
– Sufi Message Class with Nur – Quddus Meditation Hall – 7:00 pm – An exploration into Hazrat Inayat Khan’s, Pir Vilayat’s and classical Sufi teachings about the functions of mind, consciousness, and restful abiding state of pure intelligence, the quintessential experience of non-dual union. Some analogies will also be drawn from the corpus of Tibetan Dzogchen and Mahamudra instructions as aids to our meditations
Friday, April 19
– Passover Seder with Sarah Leila and Akbar Manolson – Razzaq Dining Hall – 6:00 pm – Prior registration is required for the Seder. Visit www.theabode.org/programs/658 to register. Join us for the Abode’s annual Passover Seder as a part of our Holy Weekend Open House. The menu will include roasted cauliflower soup, spiced kosher chicken, rice pilaf, roasted eggplant and spiced chickpeas with tomatoes (vegan/vegetarian), chopped salad (romaine lettuce, cucumbers, and tomato with a lemon vinaigrette. For dessert: matzos profiteroles filled with whipped coconut, served with caramelized bananas. Guests are invited to bring their own wine.
Saturday, April 20
– Holy Weekend Open House Activities – 9:00 AM-9:00 – Join us for our Holy Weekend Open House. For a complete schedule of activities visit www.theabode.org/programs/646
Sunday, April 21
– Holy Weekend Open House Activities – 9:00 AM-9:00 – Join us for our Holy Weekend Open House. For a complete schedule of activities visit www.theabode.org/programs/646
– Universal Worship with Nur – Razzaq Library – 11:00 am – Resurrection and Restoration of the Earth – This year, Easter falls on the same week as the celebration of Earth Day. Our Universal Worship will observe the affinity between the esoteric message of resurrection and the current urgency for humans to realign themselves with the rhythms of nature in order to restore equilibrium to the planet. We will be share rare readings, poems, stories, meditations and practices together in remembrance of resurrection and restoration as a consistent process of personal and collective renewal.
– Brunch with Chef Fatimata – Razzaq Dining Hall – 12:30 pm – Breakfast burritos, seasonal veggies, home fries, turkey sausage, collard greens, salad bar *Menu subject to change*
Monday, April 22
– Holy Weekend Open House Activities – 9:00 AM-9:00 – Join us for our Holy Weekend Open House. For a complete schedule of activities visit www.theabode.org/programs/646
Upcoming Programs
The Mandorla: Integrating Light & Shadow Gateways Class | Tuesday, April 16 | Razzaq Library | Our final class on the 16th is designed to bring closure to our winter work. We will share learnings, clarify ways to discover our hidden sides, and introduce the phases of shadow work. Activities will include drawing, focused on the mandorla, as one way to help facilitate the natural integration of our shadow into consciousness. No RSVP required, but arrival before 7 is appreciated!
Sufi Message Class | Thursdays | 7:00 PM | Quddus Meditation Hall | April 18 & 25- Nur – One of the essential and fundamental preparations to deepen our practices of meditation and contemplation is to have working understanding about the nature of mind and its activities. During these two Message Classes, we will continue our exploration into Hazrat Inayat Khan’s, Pir Vilayat’s and classical Sufi teachings about the functions of mind, consciousness, and restful abiding state of pure intelligence, the quintessential experience of non-dual union. Some analogies will also be drawn from the corpus of Tibetan Dzogchen and Mahamudra instructions as aids to our meditations | May 2 – TBD | May 9 & 16 – Atayna | May 23 & 30 – Yaqin.
Passover Seder with Sarah Leila and Akbar Manolson | Friday, April 19 | 6:00 PM | Razzaq Dining Hall | Join us for the Abode’s annual Passover Seder as a part of our Holy Weekend Open House. This year will be led by Sarah Leila and Eric Akbar Manolson. Your donation of $20-25 per person includes food (meat, vegetarian, and vegan options available). Please note that our meal will not be cooked in a kosher kitchen. Dinner will be held in the Razzaq Dining Room. Prior registration is required for the Seder. Visit www.theabode.org/programs/658 to register.
Holy Weekend Open House | April 19-22 | Join the Abode for an Open House full of activities dedicated to Passover, Easter, and Earth Day. Activities will include a Passover seder, a documentary film screening, a talk on the symbolism of Moses and Jesus with Yaqin, a variety of nature-based activities with Kevin, and more! Open Houses at the Abode are by donation and you can join us for as much or as little of the weekend as you would like. For more information and registration please visit www.theabode.org/programs/647
Energy, Presence, and Dialogue with Peter Schein | Sunday, April 28 | 3:00-5:00 PM | Razzaq Library | “The future of humanity depends on a rebirth of dialogue.” – Martin Buber
Some of the best healing, learning and growth happen in a place of mutual presence, openness and authenticity. We will explore a way into this realm of meaning and value through the cooperation of three kinds of practice: qigong (energy practice), meditation and dialogue. The issue of presence – what it is, and how it is both found and lost – lies at the heart of this approach. An underlying logic consists in the way for centuries many traditions have combined energy practices and meditation as an effective way to cultivate presence; and, that presence is both a foundation and fruition of genuine dialogue. Dialogue, moreover, enables us to develop a personal relation to presence, and is a time honored vessel for human maturation. In the workshop we’ll cultivate presence in a series of qigong and meditation practices; and, then practice dialogue through exercises in skillful communication and creative collaboration. There will be periods for discussion. I’ll also share some of the experiences with these principles and practices in my life as a contemplative, educator and acting student that have led me to this work.
East Meets West: An Evening with Ustad Shafaat Khan and AHRKH | Monday, April 29 | 7:00 PM | Quddus Meditation Hall | $10-15 | Join the Abode in welcoming Ustad Shafaat Khan, world-renowned Indian Classical musician, son of Ustad Imrat Khan and nephew of Ustad Vilayat Khan. Mr. Khan has performed worldwide at many prestigious concert halls, music festivals and universities all over India, America, Europe, China, Russia and Japan. In the rich history of Indian classical music, Mr. Khan has distinguished himself by being the first known artist to have attained simultaneous excellence in performing sitar, surbahar and tabla. Tickets are a donation of $10-15. Register at www.theabode.org/programs/667
Abode Mountain Work Camp | May 3-5
Experience the Abode in a hands on way! Help us give tender, loving care to our facilities and prepare the grounds for our upcoming season. In return for your work we will provide lodging, six locally sourced, organic meals, and new friends! For more information please visit www.theabode.org/programs/663 or contact SaMoon Pal: [email protected] or 518-794-8090 ext. 121
Cacao Ceremony with Kirtan led by JoJo Silverman | Sunday, May 5 | 4:00-8:00 PM | Mountain Camp
The conclusion to our Work Camp will be a cacao ceremony up on our beautiful mountain campus. Suggested love offerings for the ceremony – Work Camp Participants: $22, All Others: $33-44. Space is limited and registration is required. Contact SaMoon Pal with any questions: [email protected] or 518-794-8090 ext. 121. Please read all information available on the registration page: www.drcacaos.com/ceremony-registration.html
Emerald Earth Retreat with Kainat Norton & Muinuddin Smith | May 3-5 | Come to the beauty of the Berkshires within the renewing energy of spring! In this weekend retreat we will attune to the sacred manuscript of Nature, to seeing with the eyes of Sophia, the creative feminine, the sacred wisdom of the earth, and to alchemical and Ziraat teachings. All are welcome. For more information and registration please visit www.theabode.org/programs/627
Healing Retreat with Gayatri Hull | Saturday, May 11 | 9:00 AM-12:30 PM | Quddus Meditation Hall | In this retreat offered by Gayatri Hull we will turn within and through practices of meditation and contemplation, presence, breath, light, healing, remembrance (zikr), silence, music and song we will still the mind, and purify, revivify, renew and restore our body, heart, and soul. This retreat is open to all who would like to go deep within, listen and attune to their true self and dive into the depth of the mystical teachings on healing and the soul’s journey. In a safe and serene retreat setting we will polish the mirror of the heart. As we purify, revivify and restore ourselves, we shine our light into the world. All are invited to attend this retreat; no prior experience or affiliation required. Suggested Retreat donation: $ 30 – $ 50. Please come to the Meditation Hall ready to begin at 9:00. (Walk-ins Welcome) This retreat is presented under the auspices of the Sufi Center at the Abode and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the center. For more info contact Gayatri at (518) 528-7664 and [email protected]
Please check our calendar and programs pages for an extended look at upcoming events and happenings. We look forward to being with you soon at the Abode!