Abode Village View – Month of November

---

Dear Friends,

 

Thanks to everyone who supported the Abode Annual Appeal, which ended on October 31. Through your generosity, we raised over $18,800 in donations, with another several thousand dollars pledged in gifts and grants. We were also able to achieve the $10,000 challenge grant. The support from the community was widespread and heartfelt, and we are grateful.

The Abode has ended the programs season with a budget deficit.  We have funds to continue operating, but will need to significantly reduce costs over the winter, in addition to the usual steps we take to hibernate. This process has already begun.

We will remain active, continuing our regular weekly spiritual classes and worship calendar, and adding special programs as opportunities arise.  We are NOT closing down. We are moving forward. With vigor and with purpose.

We have accomplished much over the past 2-1/2 years, and have set ourselves on a path to sustainability, if we continue to evolve and address our longstanding issues.

Our 2019 programs season is taking shape and is building on the progress made in 2018.  We are developing deeper connections with others who appreciate the history and sacred energy of this place and will help spread the Message. We are also already working on building a more active and robust schedule for the Pir Vilayat Center, and a Retreat, Rest & Relaxation operation that can function year-round and cater to a larger universe of Seekers and those aligned with our values.

In the short term, shared sacrifice will be needed in the next phase of our journey. We are still determining what other actions we can take to ensure stability in the long term.  We will be as open and transparent as we can be. We will share plans and strategies, and we will be mindful of those who may be affected by changes to come. I have often used the phrase “building the bicycle while riding it” to characterize our work here.  It is an apt metaphor.

 

Here are some of the actions we are taking:

• Guest Services and Housekeeping will hibernate. Cherish Marie and Koni will not be working this winter. Those tasks will be distributed among volunteers. Jamelah will be managing the work schedules and tasks, with volunteers and willing residents assisting remaining staff in keeping the campus machinery functioning. While this transition is in progress, it may be a little harder to reach us than usual; we appreciate your understanding.
• We will be hibernating Fattah, Mughni and the Pir Vilayat Center for the winter.
• We will consolidate residential activity in Razzaq.
• We will house all volunteers who wish to stay over the winter. We are grateful to have a number who want to do so, and who have contributed great skill, energy, and enthusiasm over the past months.
• We need to reduce payroll over the winter. We have no choice in this. We will furlough some staff for the offseason and reduce the hours or salaries of others.  These reductions include me. Thanks to those who have volunteered to reduce their hours or change their status, we have been able to avoid eliminating any positions at this time.

 

Finally, we will be refocusing and re-clarifying the Abode’s Mission and purpose:

• Mission: To be a sanctuary for Sufis and Seekers.
• Vision: To welcome and serve a greater diversity of Seekers, in more ways, all year long.
• Purpose: To bring the Message out to the world, by providing a living example of its transformative power to all Seekers.

 

There will be staff and resident meetings on Monday, November 12.  Community discussions will follow at a later date.

Thanks to all who continue to support the Abode in so many ways.  We are confident that after this winter reset we will emerge renewed.

 

With love,

Al

---

The Mountain has officially seen the summer’s end and winterization is complete. The camp will undergo its perennial rest till comes Earth Day. We are grateful for all the starseeds who contributed toward the maintenance of active programs, underpinning of facilities, the nucleus of food, and of course the stewardship of metaphysical ideals dear to so many hearts. A few activities which took place since the last newsletter post for The Mountain are below:

 

Refuge Recovery Albany Sangha held a day-long retreat on October 7^th.

More about their chapter HERE

 

The Teyuna of Sierra Nevada Mountains of Colombia performed Pagamentos:

Teyuna Foundation with sponsorship from Earth Law Center organized by Mary Antonine Gaetjens recently completed a three month coast to coast tour of the Teyuna Mamos (medicine men) and Zagas (medicine women) which concluded the second week of September in Fishkill, NY. They held a retreat/workshop in Canaan, NY (10 minutes from the Abode) and during their stay they came to The Abode Mountain Camp and performed two pagamentos (blessings) within the vicinity of the Sanctuary.

 

Sacred Ear Pagamento:

The name of the energy addressed is Kujkwashina. This refers to a place where the ability to hear spiritually is enhanced and facilitates authentic communication among humans thereby activating one’s spirituals ears.

A wild mushroom was offered.

 

Sacred Site Pagamento:

The name of the energy addressed is The Matuna. This is a place of positive knowledge and one of the points where wisdom enters the planet. A pagamento was performed to activate this site serving as a cosmic connector and a portal for jubilated spirits and raptured sparkles. Matuna, a god-like entity that teaches the ancestors of the Teyunas about how to live in the world and to the typical structure of such narratives. Several of the tales involve Matuna teaching a (Kogi) person about some aspect of social life, such as dancing or chewing coca leaves.

The Teyuna are the Arhuaco, Kankuamo, Kogi and Wiwa tribes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Colombia. Their lives are dedicated to a sacred vow to uphold the Earth Mother’s original law: All must protect and nurture the planet, our collective home.

 

Alan Ereira has directed two documentaries to spread their message to all of us, see below:

2012:  ‘ALUNA’ Trailer

1990: ‘From the Heart of the World – The elder brother’s warning‘ Full Documentary

---

We are officially closed here at Rumi’s Cafe for the season! We just want to take a moment to offer our sincere gratitude for all of the love and support we’ve received in our first season as a new addition to The Abode community! So many of you have offered such a warm welcome and shared a beautiful summer with us. Here at Rumi’s we look forward to spending many seasons to come with you all. Till spring! ❤️

---

The Welcome Center will be closing for the season and the front desk will re-locate for the winter back to Vakil. Please see Larry or Jamelah for anyone looking to purchase meal tickets as of Monday, November 12th. Thank you.

---

Upcoming Week’s Events

Monday, November 12

The Welcome Center will be moving from Jami to Vakil for the winter. Please see Jamelah or Larry to purchase meal tickets!

– Community Lunch – Razzaq Dining Hall – 12:30 pm

– QiGong with Wahida Ashki – TBA – 5:00 pm – Join Wahida Ashki for a simple QiGong class. She will teach basic principles and show how to create natural routines for your own practice.

 

Tuesday, November 13

– Community Breakfast – Razzaq Dining Hall – 8:00 am

– Community Dinner – Razzaq Dining Hall – 6:00 pm

 

Wednesday, November 14

– Community Lunch – Razzaq Dining Hall – 12:30 pm

– Community Dinner – Razzaq Dining Hall – 6:00 pm

 

Thursday, November 15

– Community Dinner – Razzaq Dining Hall – 6:00 pm

– Message Class with Winfrid – Quddus Meditation Hall – 7:00 pm

 

Friday, November 16

– Regenerative Seeds: For an Eco-Culture with Kevin – Fatah Family Room – 9:30 am-2:30 pm

What is Human’s place in nature? How do we heal the ruptured relationship between humans and nature. This program will be part informative, part experiential, and partly an open lab of ideas and experiments.  Building eco-literacy, and practicing Core Routines of nature observation together, we’ll begin an ongoing journey for the individual and as a community.  Then, through field trips and presentations and discussions we’ll look at some of the grassroots movements that are creating solutions, such as Permaculture, Regenerative Design and Culture Repair.  Then we’ll look to practice our new Design tools as a group, and implement some of them here at the Abode. $10 to $20 suggested donation per day.  We’ll be meeting in the family room in Fatah at 9:30 am. Feel free to email with any further questions: [email protected]  Hope to see you, Kevin

– Community Dinner – Razzaq Dining Hall – 6:00 pm

 

Sunday, November 18

– Meditation Class with Shakur – Quddus Meditation Hall – 10:00 am

– Universal Worship with Aimée – Quddus Meditation Hall – 11:00 am

– Brunch – Razzaq Dining Hall – 12:30 pm

 

Upcoming Programs

Meditation Classes | Sundays | 10:00 AM | Quddus Meditation Hall | You are invited to join us for meditations Sunday at 10:00 AM in the Quddus Meditation Hall. For November, the leaders form the Inayati Center at the Abode are: November 11-Shakur, November 18-Shakur, November 25-TBA. Come one and all.

 

Pracitcal Wisdom & Potluck | Saturday, November 17 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Pir Vilayat Center | Join us for a morning of Practical Wisdom & Listening with the Heart. Through working with the breath, sacred sound, stories and silence we will explore and share the qualities that open the heart, clear the mind, inspire the spirit and strengthen practical wisdom. We’ll share daily practices to help us stay centered in this fast paced, tense and often confusing world. 12:30 vegetarian soup and bread will be provided. Bring something to share for the lunch. A $15 donation is suggested to help maintain the Pir Vilayat Center through the winter. For questions contact [email protected] 

“Unless we awaken them, our capacities will always remain dormant.” Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan

 

Dances of Universal Peace | November 18 & December 9 | 1:30-3:00 PM | Quddus Meditation Hall | “The Dances of Universal Peace and Walking Concentrations are spiritual practice in motion. Drawing on the sacred phrases, scripture, and poetry of the many spiritual traditions of the earth, the Dances blend chant, live music and evocative movement into a living experience of unity, peace and integration. This taste of our true nature – as Universal Peace – opens to the possibility of a deep spiritual revolution within the person.” {x}

 

December Message Classes | Thursdays | 7:00 PM | Quddus Meditation Hall | Throughout the month of December Yaqin will lead weekly message classes on the theme of Rumi and zikr. 

 

*Registration Now Open!* New Years Even Retreat with Aziza Scott and Yaqin Aubert | December 28-31 | Begin the New Year with a sacred journey under Aziza Scott’s gentle guidance. This time will offer an opportunity to cleanse the heart and mind; to hearken to the call of the soul; to experience the peace that comes from turning within; to return to the struggles and joys of life with energy and a broader perspective. Aziza establishes an atmosphere of sacredness and emotional safety that is healing and energizing. Her humor and common sense provide a grounded approach to spirituality that helps in personal problem solving, inner realization and spiritual growth. Yaqin Aubert will lead the early morning and evening sessions, and will welcome retreatants on Thursday evening. 

Registration available at theabode.org/programs/582

 

 

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!