Earth Responder Retreat in Nature
September 27-29, 2024
During this time of ecological crisis, we ask ourselves – how can we respond to the suffering and disruption of eco-systems? We are drawn together to increase our capacity to provide support and restoration to ecosystems and communities impacted by climate change. We can learn qualities of strength, renewal and resilience from the elementals – the essential building blocks of the natural world.
Join us – a cadre of old and new friends to draw closer to the natural world thru an encounter with the elements in over 300 acres of sacred land at the Abode, where the Berkshire Mountains meet the Taconic Hills. Over the weekend we will explore the natural world with our senses as we contemplate the inter-being of all life.
Registration will open soon. Check the Abode’s website for details. Weekend guides will include Rabia Povich, Malika Daley, Shakur Johnson, dance leaders Amina Silk and Arif Leininger, story-telling with Yaqin Aubert and more.
Photo credit: Karamat Hess Photography
Inaugural Earth Responder Program Completes
When Murshid refers to “the Message of our time” as “the answer to the cry of humanity,” I believe Earth Responders is our answer—what we need now, more than ever. From eco-stress and rising seas, to increasing homelessness, above all else, we are in need of kinship. We must find a new way of being in relationship—with all life.
This program is a gentle facilitation to encourage us to deepen our connections with all beings, starting with respect, sympathetic resonance, understanding, unity and then right action. We are drawn together to share spiritual practice, forming resilient communities that will prepare us for the challenges of our changing environment. I am so very grateful to have been a part of this program from its beginning. I call myself an Earth Responder, ready to listen, and then, serve in ways that support the Earth. ~ Malika Daley
The initial offering of the six-week Earth Responder program completed in May 2024 with 24 people from around the world making a deeper commitment to serve their local communities during this time of ecological crisis. Our connection and communion was palpable. In the final session each participant received a blessing from Pir Zia, who invited the seeds that were planted to bear forth in deeds of beneficence.
The six week program was guided by Wali Via, Amida Cary, Shams Kairys, Abdul Hakim Oerton, Sharifa Oppenheimer and Rabia Povich. The program was created as a response to a heartfelt desire to serve the natural world – mineral, vegetal, animal and human – supported by community and guided by spirit.
The disruption caused by excessive carbon and methane in the eco-system deeply impacts us all. The Earth Responders program offers insights, approaches, and tools for those called to bring a deep presence to this most immediate need of our time.
The framework of the training was built on the foundation of the five stages Murshid gave for the development of the ideal of Kinship: Respect, Sympathy, Understanding, Forgiveness, and Unity. By using these qualities and perspectives as a lens for the web of life, we can prepare ourselves to serve our communities of care from a deeply rooted understanding, knowing that when one part of existence suffers, we all suffer.
Several participants maintain a monthly on-line connection, sharing weather-reports of the heart and supporting each other as we encounter the disruption in our local communities.
News from The Hope Project
Dargah Hazrat Inayat Khan Hope Project Newsletter, No. 46 – July, 2024
Written by Samiur Rahman and Elisabeth Henschel; Edited by Heiko Schrader
Severe damage at Hope on 28 June, 2024
In the wee hours of Friday morning, 28 June, large parts of Delhi were hit by an enormous rainfall leading to heavy flash floods in Nizamuddin Basti, and other parts of the city.
Within a span of 30 minutes, the entire basement of the Hope Project—housing the major part of the vocational training units, the finance office and the library—was flooded up to the ceiling and into the ground floor of the building. Fortunately, because of the early hour (about 5:00 AM), no children or staff were present in this part of the building. No one got hurt. The few employees who had started their duty at that time rushed down to attempt to retrieve important Hope Project data files. Unfortunately, this was unsuccessful because it was too dangerous. Help came too late to save the equipment, including all of the computers, all machines in the textile workshop, all of the beauty care equipment, and all of the library books and furniture. The first careful estimate of loss, including fixing damages to the building is estimated at about 40,000 US dollars.
While at the moment the first shock has turned into action pumping the water out, cleaning the basement and assessing how to fix things, first experts are checking the ground walls and guiding us on the next steps. We hope to resume the training facilities as soon as possible so that our students don’t suffer a gap in their educational process. But we decided to prolong the school holidays for another week. All help is urgently needed. Read Full Article
Blessings and Peace, from Inayatiyya North American Kinship Council: Rabia Povich, Abdul Hakim Oerton, Amir Bisio, Batina Sheets, Khatidja Rodriguez-Ruiz, Majid Vowells, Nur Azad Mangold, Raqib Yakel, Shams Kairys, and Zakir Amin Povich.