The Australian Centre for Sufism and Irfanic Studies presented the fourth annual international Sufi symposium to explore the purpose of the journey of this life through the teachings of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Sufism. The program included international and local spiritual leaders, Sufi music, poetry & Zikr.

PRESENTERS:

Fleur Nassery Bonnin

Fleur Nassery Bonnin is a Sufi teacher, psychologist and the Founder and Director of the Australian Centre for Sufism and Irfanic Studies. Originally from Persia, she has practised in the United States for many years and now lives and works in Australia, focusing on Sufi psychology and spiritual teaching. In Sufism, self-knowledge is the path that leads to the knowledge of God. Self-realisation as a vehicle for spiritual unfoldment is at the centre of Fleur's teaching. Her emphasis is for the seeker to apply the gained knowledge in every day life in order to experience God Consciousness.

Father Greg Homeming

Father Greg Homeming is a Friar in the Order of Discalced Carmelites in Australia where he is currently Director of Vocations and Novice Master. The Carmelites are a Christian contemplative order who use prayer and contemplation, seeking to live in the presence of God. He has a degree in Theology from the Melbourne College of Divinity and a post graduate degree in Philosophy from Melbourne University. Father Homeming specialises in the spirituality of St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila and is active in working with youth in the community.

Venerable Tenzin Chönyi

Venerable Tenzin Chönyi is a Buddhist nun from Chenrezig Nuns' Community and is currently Spiritual Program Coordinator and resident western teacher at the Vajrayana Institute. Prior to her ordination, she was Dr Diana Taylor, a psychologist in private practice. One of her main interests is exploring the similarities and differences in the ways in which Buddhist psychology and western psychology view the mind. Her unique and skilled combination of Buddhist and western studies enables her to apply Buddhist teachings to the western context in a way that is readily accessible to all.

Sheikh Ibrahim al Ansari

Sheikh Ibrahim al Ansari is a Sheikh of the Qadiri-Rifa’i Tariqa in Berkeley California, a musician and a composer. He has a BA degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz in Performance Integration of World Myths and Music and an MA in Music Composition. He has studied the mystical traditions of many of the world religions including Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism and he teaches Sufism.

Persian Musicians


Sufi Music and Poetry

Sufi Music and Poetry. In Sufism, music has always been linked with poetry. In Persian Sufi music in particular, the role of poetry is more accentuated. This unique combination of music and poetry awakens the heart of the listener to the spirit of the message.

Zikr is a spiritual practice of remembrance through calling the names of Allah (swt). As a spiritual and mystical state it conveys a paradox: although Zikr means ‘remembrance’, the ultimate experience which the practice points towards is ‘forgetfulness’, forgetting everything but God.