October 2010
 
 
The Farm of Peace Newsletter
The Farm of Peace and Sufi Spiritual Retreat Center, Warfordsburg, PA

eid parade

Our Mission: The Farm of Peace is a spiritual community that provides love, peace, healing, nourishment and spiritual guidance to all of creation. We seek to bring peace and healing to individuals -- adults and children -- and the world by putting into practice the Love at the core of all religions.

Dear Friends,

Our hearts are brimming with gratitude for the abundance that the Farm and our community have received this summer.

We welcome Rifqa and Benjamin Zaban-Boylan to the Farm of Peace community. The couple came this summer from Minnesota and now live just a short drive from the Farm in Hancock, Md. We are so happy to welcome them. The Davies' beautiful new home at the Farm is well underway and Abd al-Qadir and Jamila are hoping to be able to move in before winter arrives. The farmhouse continues to be a container of liveliness and activity with lots of children playing in the yard, bouncing on the trampoline and exploring Kyle's new tree house.

More transitions: We wish many blessings to Rueben and Wafa Driscoll, who recently moved from the IPC. Over the last year, Rueben, our writer-in-residence, completed his book and helped to create a workshop for veterans. Inshallah, after their travels and time with famiy, the Driscolls will return to be a part of the Farm community. We wish blessings as well to Shakir Hayes and A'amina May, who, after their wedding this month, will be moving from Warfordsburg to live in Washington, DC -- still in our community, just a little farther from the farm! We will surely miss all of you and pray that we will see you soon at the Farm of Peace.

Around the farm, Mu'min Shay has been busy with landscaping at the International Peace Center, putting in beds with stone borders and digging in to install a variety of plants around the building. Mu'min also gathered community members to help stain the teaching barn -- a big project, made fun with many willing hands.

The gardens! Despite a dry, hot summer, the CSA garden has been amazingly prolific under the guidance and care of Amin and the garden workers and volunteers. We have had a summer full of fresh tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, melons, beets, peppers - the list goes on! The farmhouse garden brings herbs, sunflowers and Halima Jen's lovely purple cabbages. Rifqa's little fig trees are doing well, producing tiny fruits. At the teaching barn, the native-plant garden is now well-established, each year bringing the beauty of roses, lavender, lilies and other colorful blooms to shade the porch and bring delight to visitors.

The richness of Ramadan and Sidi's presence at Sufi School East brought fulfillment to many hearts this summer, particularly for the beloveds who came each day to the Farm for prayers, Qu'ran reading and sharing a break-fast meal together. One especially beautiful aspect of Ramadan this year was a special zawiyah program that saw a number of new zawiyah participants who drank deeply from the experience. There truly is no place like the Farm of Peace to give our guests the deep peace, love and holiness that transform their hearts. We celebrated the end of Ramadan on Eid al Fitr with a traditional parade filled with balloons and song (see photo above), prayers and a feast, along with treats for the children.

Calling all hearts to come and drink! This fall we have several programs that are sure to serve your walking and your healing process, including A Taste of the Love workshop and our last Healing Intensive Retreat of the year. Read more about these programs in this newsletter and take your chance to experience the deep transformation each offers.

The Khadijah Mosque Circle is meeting regularly to plan the design for our new mosque, which, under Sidi's direction, will use the space of the teaching barn. The Circle is in the process of determining needed amenities, such as bathrooms, dining area and kitchen, and will soon be interviewing architects to find the right person to design and guide the project. Everyone is welcome to join the Khadijah Mosque Circle and be a part of this community endeavor. Contact Abd al-Qadir Davies at 240-441-8712 for more information.

Kids' delight! Our work-study beloved, Amina O'Hearn, is planning a six-week program of classes for the children, to be held at the Farm starting in October. Amina is excited about teaching and having fun with the children. Amina is also organizing a Halloween party on Oct. 30 for adults and kids -- details coming soon!

This Sunday, Oct. 3: Sufi Center East will have a booth at the Natual Living Expo at the University of Maryland Conference Center just outside College Park, Md. Come by and bring your friends to learn more about Sufism and our programs and events. There will be mini-healings and an opportunity to win a scholarship to A Taste of the Love workshop, Oct. 22-24. Visit www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com for information, directions and discount admission coupons. Also on Oct. 3, we will be at Peacefest in Shepherdstown, WV. This interfaith prayer service at the Presbyterian Meetinghouse at 7 p.m. is organized as an opportunity for Muslims and Christians to be together in the spirit of hope, peace and friendship.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Farm! Come and make a day of it -- have a picnic and visit the sheep, work in the garden, reflect and refresh in zawiyah -- there are so many opportunities here. All are invited to come and share the peace and beauty of Allah's creation.

Peace and blessings to all,

Halima Reilly, Editor


A Blessed Sufi School East
by Wahida Kass
SSE This year's Sufi School was a beautiful event that received warm praise from guests, al hamdulillah! This success was due in large measure to the high level of responsibility and cooperation demonstrated by the coordinators, as well as to applying lessons learned from last year and putting more coordinators in place during the event.

We had an array of wonderful teachers (some new to us) to drink from, and Sidi gave deep teachings for our thirsty hearts. Our excellent chefs nourished our bodies and supported our fasting. It was a gift to pray behind Sidi during Ramadan and fast with our extended community.

The most frequent comment was about how beautifully we were attending to the details, which made our guests feel secure and cared for. I'm personally grateful to everyone who helped in any way, large or small. Shukran, and may Allah reward your generosity a thousand times!

If you have any suggestions for ways to improve Sufi School next year, or what we should plan on repeating, please email me at [email protected]. We'll try to hold a community gathering for "debriefing" and will let you know when it's scheduled.

What's Happening on the Farm
An Update from Kamila Dinning, Farm Manager
garden Carrots! Beets! Chard! Rifqa and Benjamin Zaban-Boylan, pictured here, are among the beloveds enjoying fresh CSA veggies. Our summer CSA just finished its final delivery, and we're now beginning a six-week fall CSA. There is still time to sign up to receive fresh, delicious produce through the beginning of November. See the link below for information on the fall CSA program.

Love those farm-fresh eggs! Ahmad DeOliveria has undertaken care of the laying hens and plans renovations this fall to the winter coop area.

Amin received approval from COTS to build a solar seed-starting addition on the south end of the carriage shed. It's long been a dream of his to build and operate a seed-starting facility and he's looking forward to beginning construction as soon as the fall CSA program is completed. The construction will reuse materials from the farm and will ensure a compatible appearance for the extension to the carriage shed.

Rifqa, Mu'min and Isa are raising 100 broiler chicks in the pastured chicken tractors. Half of the chickens are dedicated for use in the IPC kitchen for our guests' meals. The chicks should be ready for processing in about three weeks.

This summer's dry weather has created many challenges for farmers and for many creatures. We lost the bees from one of our hives because of the drought, and the second hive is recovering with daily feedings. We hope, inshallah, they will flourish and make it through the winter.

The drought has presented challenges in caring for the sheep as well. Normally, the sheep feed on pasture grass until mid-November, but this year, with the dry conditions, Rifqa has been feeding them hay since mid-August. Plans are underway to breed the ewes during the second week of November. They will be bred with Dorset sheep rams, which should result in meatier lambs.

One of our goals has been to use the fleeces from sheep shearing to create items that could provide income for the farm. We recently sent fleeces to a mill for processing so that the wool can be used for spinning. The Wool Circle will be offering classes on natural dyes, spinning and knitting using Farm of Peace wool, so look for announcements coming soon.

Come and Taste the Love That Is Your True Essence
A Taste of the Love, Oct. 22-24
TOL

Sidi writes in Music of the Soul, "When you find the love you find yourself. The secret is in the love. Everything is in the love and everyone needs the love. When you have the knowledge of the love, you feel peace in your heart."

Yes! We all want more love and to know the secrets of the Real Love. In this experiential workshop, you will come to know your heart's connection with God and how to stay with that connection even in the most difficult times. You will learn about and experience the secrets of the Sufi Way that bring deep peace to your heart and you will learn to live a life that is divinely guided. This workshop is perfect for someone who's new to the Sufi path, and will be a rich refresher for anyone who is walking in the Sufi way and is seeking to enhance their connection to the love within.

Maryam Whalen guides this introduction to the Sufi Way. Join her to learn practical tools that will help you stay connected with the Love that is at your core. Maryam is the Farm of Peace community director and a long-time teaching assistant at the University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism. As a participant in this workshop, you will benefit from her passion to help others find the deep love and mercy that lie within each of us.

The workshop begins on Friday evening, Oct. 22 and continues all day on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 23-24. Cost is $350. You have the option of staying in one of the magnificent rooms at the International Peace Center and enjoying home-cooked meals in our beautiful facility (additional cost). To register, please contact Maryam at [email protected] or 240-463-6567.

A Time for Transformation
Healing Intensive Retreat, Oct. 13-18
Healing "My experience of the Healing Intensive Retreat? Deeply loving, loved, supported, healing, intense, freeing -- beyond words grateful." L.G.

We're grateful, too -- grateful to be blessed with the holiness and beauty of Sufi spiritual healing, which brings about profound transformation in such a short time. The Healing Intensive Retreats at the Farm of Peace have been serving those seeking healing for many years, and the healers and teachers have witnessed countless profound, blessed changes for participants.

We invite anyone who is yearning for deep transformation to come and let Allah make a new creation for you. October's healing intensive is the last one to be held this year, so take your chance now to spend this time in the sacred space of the International Peace Center. Allow yourself to receive the deep caring of your healers, teachers and staff -- and most importantly, the divine caring of Allah.

Your program includes an assessment and individualized program of healing; Sufi spiritual healing sessions and personalized bodywork treatments; daily group teachings and Sufi spiritual practices; individual guidance and time with your director; a room in the beautiful International Peace Center; wholesome, delicious meals specially prepared for you; special evening programs; and a program of follow-up teleconferences to help you integrate your new creation.

If your body, heart or spirit is longing for more peace and a deeper experience of God's love, the door is open for you to join us.

"I received remarkable healings. My healings addressed some very profound issues in my life and gave me the answers how to resolve those issues. The treatments helped me to open and receive even more." A.G.

Healing Intensive Retreat at the Farm of Peace, Oct. 13-18. Cost is $2670, and includes the entire healing program, meals and accommodations. For more information, please call 443-398-1082.

Reflections on the Zawiyah
by A'amina Marye
A'amina Marye

I came here running to Allah right after taking my Sufi vows of marriage to my beloved. He was sad to see me go but in his heart he understood why I needed to come to zawiyah. It was to find peace in my heart and deep healing with Allah and to remember that my path to Allah began with one step: to accept Allah into my heart and stop running away from Him. I was afraid of Allah for a long time because it was the beginning of stepping into a more authentic self to be the healer, teacher and light I have always wanted to embrace. I now understand that my running towards Allah also meant running toward my understanding of myself.

I wanted to bring my beloved to this path, and I know in my heart I needed to do it quickly because my body may (or may not) be failing me. But my deeper spirit knows I needed deeper healing than what I could do on my own. I know my spiritual healing home has been here with this tariqa, the Farm of Peace and the International Peace Center. I've seen all your faces before I was born. I was shown and I remember walking with Sidi's spirit before I was born.

To meet my heart and to meet my true self finally - wow! Thank you for awakening my heart, my soul, my love even deeper. I've trusted, now I know not only is Allah always around us and a part of our deepest being, but we ourselves are one with Allah and no matter our path He has always been there. I'm remembering the beauty and joy my heart of hearts has always known. Thank you for my awakened heart; thank you for your love; thank you for the polishing of my mirror. I know I am beginning to see the great inner peace, love and beautiful jewel that I am and I can see how even though this is the beginning of a more expansive journey, I am thankful to have been here during Ramadan zawiyah and the deepest of healings. Blessings and love I have always had around me; I just needed to finally come home to myself and to my heart. Thank you.

The Kitchen's Bounty
A Favorite Recipe from the Farm of Peace
Jamila Davies shares this recipe that showcases produce from the Farm's CSA garden, highlighting fresh green or red peppers and hot peppers. This recipe is a combination of stuffed peppers in Joy of Cooking 7th Anniversary Edition and stuffed chayotes from Moosewood Restaurant Celebrates. Mmm, enjoy!

Stuffed Peppers

  • 4-5 green, red or white peppers
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • � cup chopped onion
  • 1 small Jalapeno pepper, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • � tsp coriander, ground
  • � tsp cumin, ground
  • � tsp dried oregano
  • 1 cup tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels

  • 1 cup cooked brown rice (or white if in a hurry)
  • 1 cup spinach, steamed (more is OK)
  • Some chopped basil or cilantro
  • A little bit of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 eggs, well beaten
  • Some grated cheddar cheese (the spicy cheddar from the Family Cow is GREAT!)

Cook brown rice ahead of time. Set aside. Boil a pot of water and drop tomatoes in to loosen skin. Let them cool and then peel off the skin and scoop out the seeds. Chop tomatoes and set aside. Put spinach in steamer and steam until slightly soft but not mushy. Take out of steamer and set aside. Cut tops off peppers and scoop out seeds and membrane. Then steam until soft but still firm, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from steamer when done and cool.

Put olive oil in skillet on medium high; and add onions, jalapenos and garlic and saut� for 5-8 minutes. Next add coriander, cumin, oregano. Cook to blend spices 1-2 minutes. Then add chopped tomatoes, corn, rice, spinach, chopped basil or cilantro and red pepper flakes. Stir to blend and once well blended add well-beaten eggs and stir until scrambled. Remove from heat.

Next stuff each pepper with veggie/rice/egg mix. Place stuffed peppers in an oiled baking dish, sprinkle grated cheese on top and bake in a pre-heated 375� oven for 20-25 minutes. Serve with extra rice and veggie mix if there is any left. DELICIOUS!

Thank You!
Your Giving Makes A Difference
barn painting Thanks to everyone who gives to nourish the heart of our Farm of Peace community.

Mu'min Shay, Facilities Manager, organized a group of volunteers to begin staining the teaching barn to protect the structure. Amin Mills and Shakir Hayes (pictured here) did some of the aerial brushwork; thanks as well to Abd al-Qadir and Jamila Davies, Munib Merrill, Shamsa Houck, Reuben and Wafa Driscoll, Amina O'Hearn, Benjamin and Rifqa Zaban-Boylan and Na'ima Bastress.

We are so grateful to our volunteers! Thank you to Ahmad DeOliveria for caring for the laying hens. Isa Konecki has been taking care of the compost pile for the garden. Thank you!

When the Davies and Whalens moved the straw bales for the construction of their new homes to the farm from the barn of a neighboring farmer, they had an excess of loose straw, which they donated. Thank you! The straw will be used to protect the trees in the orchard and will be used in the garden.

Many thanks to Halima Jen Willett, Jamila Davies, Na'ima Bastress and Belqis Lynne, who hold morning al-wird for the community and help with the zawiyah program.

We are grateful to all who are making financial donations to help the Farm continue its mission to bring the real love to the world and to care for the creation. For everyone whose heart is called, your donations are most welcome. You may send your check made to "Farm of Peace" to 1212 Haven Lane, Warfordsburg, PA 17267; or call us at 717-573-2956 and we will take your credit card information for your donation. Thank you!

Upcoming Events

Oct. 13-18: Healing Intensive Retreat. Come and see how the Light of God heals in a complete and holy way. $2670. Call Khadijah Gigliotti, director, at 443-398-1082 for information and to register.

Oct. 22-24: A Taste of the Love. Join Maryam Whalen for this introduction to the Sufi Way. $350. Meals and lodging at the IPC available. Call 240-463-6567 to register.

Zawiyah Spiritual Retreat: Give your heart the gift of walking more deeply in proximity to God. Zawiyah is ongoing at the Farm of Peace. Cost: $130 per day includes teachings, room & board. Call the Farm for information and to register: 717-573-4722.

Dhikr: Sundays, 5:30 p.m. & Thursdays, 7 p.m. Sufi healing circle for healing of body, mind, heart and spirit. All are welcome! (Potluck supper follows Sunday's dhikr.)

Jumah: Every Friday, 1:30 p.m. Gather in community for prayers and teachings from the Qu'ran and Sidi's writings.

Community Healing Day: Second Saturday of the month at the Farm of Peace, 2-4 p.m. This is a great way to introduce your friends to Sufi teachings and healing. There is no charge. Next: Oct. 9 (third Saturday this month). Call 717-573-2956 for information. Community Healing Day also held in Silver Spring, Md. Next: Oct. 17 ; call 301-565-7878 to RSVP.

Salima Healing Seminar. In this individual five-day seminar, Salima offers a unique opportunity for deep healing. You'll receive individual assessments and healings with Salima, and a series of complementary sessions and bodywork. Call the Farm at 717-573-2956 to schedule.

Farm Vacations: Enjoy a vacation in the country for a weekend -- or longer. Guests age 16 & older are welcome to stay at the farm (in the IPC) and enjoy the woods, fields and animals in a peaceful, secluded environment, restful and revitalizing in all seasons of the year. Call 717-573-2956 to make your reservations. The Farm of Peace is a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Vacation Association, www.pafarmstay.com.

phone: 717-573-2956 or 877-FOR-SSCE

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