Ramadan Retreat | Hosting the Divine Reality

The Islamic practice of fasting the month of Ramadan stems clearly from the spiritual Sufi philosophy of takhlia - emptying. All spiritual masters agree on this universal teaching: that one should empty his or her cup from its muddy contents and clean it before asking for a new and fresh refill. Dying to the carnal and low self to make space/allow for the rebirth of a new,  rejuvenated, - more connected to the Source - higher Self is also a deep spiritual teaching that clearly guided the intention behind the design of the ritual of fasting. But what does it mean to empty one’s cup? What do we mean by “cup” to begin with: The mind? The heart? The energy? The body? Or all the above? What are the things we need to empty our cups of? How can we clean our cups afterwards?  And after emptying, what exactly is supposed to fill said “cup”?

Join us this Ramadan, from March 30th to 31st for a Mid Ramadan retreat to capitalize better on the practice of fasting and allow it to be the deep spiritual experience it is meant to be. This weekend retreat occurring over the Easter long weekend will be in company of spiritual teachers and mentors Hamdi Ben Aissa, and David Sterling. It will be a retreat full of time for individual meditation and reflection, collective worship and remembrance and heart moving discourses. In the evening, participants will join in the nightly spiritual expansions program - a unique program that seeks to re-ignite the initial flame of longing love that started the tradition of taraweeh. In support of the Rhoda Foundation's Ramadan 2024 Fundraising Campaign, this retreat offered in collaboration with the Ha-Mim Institute is accessible upon giving a suggested donation to the Rhoda Foundation. All donations will be eligible for a donation receipt.

Program Details

DAY 1: Saturday March 30, 2024

3:00PM - 4:30PM: First Session with Hamdi Ben Aissa | Walking on Earth with the Divine Qualities; The Ten Commandments of the Heart Part 1

4:30PM - 5:30PM: Celebration of Afternoon Prayers & Socializing Break

5:30PM - 7:00PM: Second Session with David Sterling | Emptying Yourself of Illusion Part 1

7:20PM - 7:45PM: Communal Iftar & Celebration of Sunset Prayer

7:45PM - 8:55PM: Free time for Dinner*

9:00PM - 10:00PM: Celebration of Evening Prayers and Spiritual Expansions Program

10:00PM - 11:00PM: Spiritual Meditations, Songs and Reflections from the Book of Spiritual Poems and Litanies (Diwan): Path to Light

DAY 2: Sunday March 31, 2024

3:00PM - 4:30PM: First Session with David Sterling | Emptying Yourself of Illusion Part 2

4:30PM - 5:30PM: Celebration of Afternoon Prayers & Socializing Break

5:30PM - 7:00PM: Second Session with Hamdi Ben Aissa | Walking on Earth with the Divine Qualities- The Ten Commandments of the Heart Part 2

7:20PM - 7:45PM: Communal Iftar followed by Celebration of Sunset Prayer

7:45PM - 8:55PM: Free time for Dinner*

9:00PM - 10:00PM: Celebration of Evening Prayers and Spiritual Expansions Program

10:00PM -11:00PM: Spiritual Meditations, Songs and Reflections from the Book of Spiritual Poems and Litanies (Diwan): Path to Light

*Note: Dinner is not included in the retreat package but we invite you to discover the delicious food at our neighbouring restaurant Yemen Gate which is providing discounted wholesome meals for the month of Ramadan.