Reflections on the Zawiyah
Share zawiyah participants’ experiences in these excerpts from the Farm of Peace Newsletter.
The incredible holding, loving and containing of the Zawiyah environment enabled me to break out of my tomb of separation, fear, and anxiety that I was living in and to receive the love and Mercy of the Muhammadan light and presence into my heart. I am now living in a new reality, and have a deeper understanding of my entire life and my place in the world. — Amina A.
What I was shown through prayer and deep walking is that. . . true knowledge of God goes beyond limited beliefs. God is not limited to beliefs, rules, systems. The prayer form is not important, it is what the form opens me to inside. If my heart is open to God, all else pales in that connection. Connecting my own divinity, this is the source, course, and goal of all my longing. If you feel called to zawiyah, respond. It might be God calling! — Jamila D.
During my time in zawiyah, I learned I always need to go back into the heart and into Allah. I got to see how He is in my heart and in the world all the time, how He supported me throughout my life. I learned I must depend on Allah for all my needs: love, inspiration, mercy, provision, protection and sustenance to me and to my family and the rest of the world.” – Isaac G.
Thank you for holding this space during my retreat. I feel like my soul is resting more. I look forward to spending more time in the zawiyah. Whenever I come here, no matter what state I’m in, I always leave in a better, more grounded place. It’s hard to leave! –Habiba L.
My heart felt very closed and I even remember telling Halima (one of my zawiyah “moms”) that “I’ve read this before. It doesn’t work on me anymore. I’m hopeless. My case is hopeless.” She encouraged me to open and to put my creation at the foot of God and let Allah make me a new creation. Unbelievable joy and ecstasy followed. I now know what it means to “fly” with Allah, a term I had heard before but never really understood. — A’amina S.
[Zawiyah] was a very holy time for me. I felt surrounded by and filled with Sidi’s love and guidance. I walked more deeply than I’ve ever walked. With the support of Salima and Halima . . . I felt myself become a new creation. I felt the old, false parts of me dying, to reveal more and more of the jewel inside. I had a profound experience of no separation; whether I was doing al-Wird, talking with beloveds in the kitchen, writing Sidi’s teachings, eating chocolate chip cookies made by Isa and Nate, or trying to figure out travel arrangements to Pope Valley for Labor Day weekend, I was with Allah. There was no difference between anything. My faith has become much stronger. I am grounded in a deep sense of peace and rest in Allah. – Maryam W.
To register for Zawiyah or for more information, call the Farm of Peace at 717-573-2956.
