July 1-7, 2024
ABIQUIÚ, NEW MEXICO
WHAT IS Murāqaba?
Murāqaba is a Sufi meditation practice which consists of observing the heart and deepening one’s connection to the Divine presence.
Throughout the centuries, seekers have used this practice to attain the station of ‘Ihsan’ (perfection and excellence), often described as the state of constant proximity and nearness to the Divine Reality, where one is always aware that the Truth is a Witness to one’s every state and activity.
our intentions
In Sufism, dhawq, (Arabic: ذوق, lit. 'tasting') is direct, first-hand experience, referring to the gnosis of the Divine Reality achieved experientially as a result of empiric spiritual insight. Our aim for this retreat is to create a container that allows for this type of spiritual tasting.
Through practices such as silent meditation (muraqaba), embodied prayer (salat), sacred chanting (dhikr), journaling and self-reflection (muhasaba) & hiking and contemplation in nature, this retreat is intended to deepen one’s spiritual practice, cultivate presence and provide methods of integration in our day-to-day lives.
Although this retreat utilizes Sufi methods and practices, it is open to sincere seekers from all walks of life.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
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2PM: Check-in
6PM: Opening Orientation
7PM: Dinner
8:30PM: Sunset Prayer
9-10PM: Opening Teaching
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5AM: Dawn Prayer + Meditation
6:30 - 8AM: Breakfast
8-10AM: Contemplation in Nature
10-12PM: Silent Meditation Practice (Muraqaba)
12-1PM: Lunch
1:30-3PM: Free Time
3PM-5PM: Self Reflection & Journaling Practice (Muhasaba)
5:30-7PM: 1-1 with Teachers / Tea Break
7-8:30PM: Dinner
9-10PM: Community Circle + Sacred Chanting
10:30PM: Lights Out
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5AM: Dawn Prayer + Meditation
6:30 - 8AM: Breakfast
8-12PM: Pack Up
12PM: Departure
OUR GUIDES
BARAKA BLUE
Poet, Author, Teacher and Founder of Rumi Center for Spirituality & The Arts
Adéyínká Mendes
Spiritual Counselor, Meditation Teacher, Rites of Passage Facilitator, and Author
pricing
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$1,350
6-8 people shared indoor accommodations assigned by gender.
Includes full program, meals and lodging.
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$975
6-8 people shared outdoor accommodations assigned by gender.
Includes full program, meals and lodging.
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$775
Find your own local accommodations + transportation. Meals included.
Payment plans are available.
$300 deposit is required to secure your spot.
ABOUT the retreat center
A uniquely serene setting, perfect for contemplation
Dar Al Islam is a retreat center situated on 1,600 acres in the awe inspiring desert landscape of Abiquiu, New Mexico.
Designed by world renowned Egyptian architect Hasan Fathy and completed in 1981, it features a mosque with adjoining madrassah, distinguished by its Nubian vernacular models that return New Mexico’s traditions of adobe construction to their North African origins. The campus also includes a library, lecture hall, dorm spaces, and multiple courtyards.
Also on the property is the geological landscape of the Plaza Blanca (also known as the White Place). The Plaza Blanca is a beautiful slot canyon, unlike any other in the Southwest, well know for its mystical desert beauty.
Getting There
We suggest flying into Albuquerque (ABQ) or Santa Fe (SAF). Shuttle service from Albuquerque will be made available at an extra cost. More details about the shuttle will be forthcoming.
"Nothing benefits the heart more than a spiritual retreat wherein it enters the domain of meditation.” - Sidi Ibn 'Ata'illah
Interested in joining us? Register today to secure your spot.
about OUR GUIDES
BARAKA BLUE
Baraka Blue is a poet, musician, author, and teacher from Seattle, Washington. After reading the works of Rumi and Ibn Arabi he traveled to study with contemporary Sufi teachers in Morocco, Turkey, Yemen, Egypt and beyond. He is the founder of Rumi Center for Spirituality and the Arts - a community organization dedicated to teaching and transmitting the wisdom of the Sufi spiritual path to seekers from all walks of life through online courses, retreats, and artistic productions.
In addition to releasing multiple studio albums, authoring books of poetry, and performing internationally, Baraka Blue is a prolific educator with a master’s degree in Islamic Studies from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.
Adéyínká Mendes
Adéyínká Mendes, aka Adé, is a spiritual counselor, meditation teacher, rites of passage facilitator, and author based in Houston, Texas.
He has been a student of the mystical traditions of Islam as well as indigenous and West African spiritual traditions for over 30 years. His focus as a teacher is on conveying the wisdom of our ancestors in ways that speak to the challenges and opportunities of the modern world.
He is the founding director of Marhama (Arabic for 'expressing mutual compassion'), a community focused on building sustainable institutions through empowering service, prophetic spirituality, traditional knowledge, and the arts.
He has studied Classical Arabic, Islamic Sciences, sacred meditation, and the science of peace-building with sages and scholars from the United States, Syria, Sudan, Morocco, Mauritania, Nigeria, Egypt, Haiti, Senegal, and The Gambia.
FAQs
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No it isn’t. We welcome people with all levels of meditation experience.
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Yes absolutely! This retreat is open to people from all walks of life. Sufism in its essence is simply the path of the heart. So we welcome anybody who resonates with this path.
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This is an adult-only retreat. We ask that all participants are above 16 years old.
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Dorm packages are indoors. There are two separate dorm halls, one for men and one for women, with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. Sheets and a pillow will be provided. If you require an extra blanket, please bring one with you.
Yurt packages have the same setup as above but are outdoors.
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Due to limited private accommodations, the very few private rooms we do have will be assigned to our teachers and staff. Airbnb options and hotels are available in close proximity, but will require a rental car from the airport for those flying in.
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Journal
Towel
Soap
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste)
Flashlight
Hiking shoes
Water bottle
Sunblock (average highs of 85 in July)
Light sweater (average lows of 55 in July)
Vitamins and medicines
Granola bars or light snacks
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Rumi Center was founded in 2018 by Baraka Blue and inspired by the life and legacy of the great mystic poet Mawlana Jalaludeen Rumi.
Rumi Center believes in art and creativity as profound tools—not only of self-expression—but of self-discovery. A means by which human consciousness is transformed and illuminated, and the deepest truths made accessible.
They are dedicated to teach and transmit the wisdom of the Sufi spiritual path through online courses, retreats, and artistic production.
The LILA series started as a collection of documentary episodes showcasing cultures around the world that bridge spirituality with the arts.
These films showcase how traditional cultures have used the arts (particularly music & dance) for spiritual communion, prayer and healing, and also show the evolution of these traditions and the challenges they are facing today.
In addition to the docu-series, they also host in-person events and retreats around the world that explore sacred music and movement traditions.
In collaboration with
Marhama Wellness is a family-centered community focused on building sustainable institutions through empowering service, prophetic spirituality, traditional knowledge, and the arts.