Vision

We opened this center to guide individuals to transcendent realization*. Our teachings are rooted in the scriptures of the main spiritual traditions and mystical writings of great Masters, such as Ibn Arabi, Meister Eckhart, Shankara.

Learning from direct experience

My husband, Steve and I, Annick, “tasted” their teachings -as mystics call direct learning- thanks to 21 years of studies, and conversations with three spiritual teachers, and by keeping a daily practice of contemplation. I was asked to act as a guide by my last spiritual teacher and was ordained by AIWP, who gave me an interfaith home in 2007, while Steve pursued other interests.

Contemplative study circles

Guidees, or we can say students, choose their mystical study circles according to their background and aspirations. In addition to the authors already quoted, they may reflect on the work of modern mystics such as Abraham Heschel, Theresa of Avila, Hubert Benoit, James Morris, and other nature loving mystics. We also reflect on Rumi, as a main interpreter of our connection to the One Reality.

Realization according to the mystics.

The greatest Masters hold that true knowledge cannot come from imitating others, however powerful they seem, but must be discovered by realization. In mystical terms, realization does not mean understanding something, it means to make something real. What becomes real is the oneness of the individual soul with the Supreme Oneness whom some people call God, and to whom we refer to as The One.  We hold that the One Reality/Truth is not a being, it is Beingness itself.

The acknowledgement of truth of the Oneness of Being, is the primary truth from which all other truths spring forth, and is manifested in degrees.  Only when we acknowledge this truth, we can act upon it.

 The pearl without price

The “pearl without price,” in Sufi writings, is everlasting happiness; the One’s reward to his faithful servants. It is a deep fulfillment and contentment, or eudaemonia in some philosophical readings. It has very little to do with the satisfaction of the impulses from the commanding self (or ‘ego”). Eudaemonia, or contentment in Sufi writings, is “human flourishing” which refers to the human soul’s capacity and responsibility to realize its full potential.

*Term coined by Reza-Shah Kazemi