|
Our Mission:
The Farm of Peace/Shadhiliyya Sufi Center East is a spiritual community dedicated to bringing God's Peace, Love, Mercy, Justice and Freedom to all of creation. We seek to bring peace and healing to individuals and the world by putting into practice the Love at the core of all religions.
Dear Friends, Has anyone else been longing for spring? Let's forget the snow, the ice, the single digit nights, the icy wind, the potholes, the mud.... Despite a persistent chilly wind, we have turned the corner - tiny crocuses are appearing and the pasture is turning green at the roots. More than 40 people joined us for Thanksgiving potluck, and several dozen friends braved the cold in February for our Community Nourishment weekend, where they wrote share meals, wrote poetry, pruned blackberries and more (see Community Celebrations, below).
While winter is almost over, our annual campaign still continues - if you were not able to give at year-end, it's still not too late to donate now!
 | |
Cabbage sprouts in the seed shed
|
The CSA crew has been busy in the seed shed and setting up the high tunnels where the earliest crops are already sprouting. There's still room to join the 2014 CSA season - sign up today! New things are sprouting all over the farm, and the school has "sprouted" a new name: the Olive Branch Learning Center. If you haven't bought a raffle ticket, don't miss your chance! The grand prize is a choice of a whole frozen packaged farm lamb or a CSA half-share (each a $250 value) with other prizes as well. See "School News" for details.
 | |
Rahim Bronner
|
We have an exciting line-up of spring programs, including special guest Rahim Jeff Bronner April 4, 5 and 6. A graduate and former faculty member of the University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism, Rahim also happens to be the teacher who brought me onto this path over a decade ago, when I attended his "Money in the Holy Way" workshop. Rahim is an excellent, inspiring and very funny teacher. I highly recommend his workshops--especially since these have been opened up on a donation basis. All our teachers have their own special gifts to share - maybe one of our workshops is just what you need to refresh your spirit for spring. We hope to see you soon.
With peace and blessings,
Rifqa Renata Parrino (editor)
Community Celebrations
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 Our annual Thanksgiving potluck was enjoyed by more than 40 friends, family and visitors, with two whole turkeys, several legs of lamb and much, much more!
In early February, community members and friends gathered at the IPC for another fun and delicious Community Nourishment Weekend. Those who have never stayed in our lovely retreat center were invited to stay over Saturday night at no charge on a first-come, first-serve basis. We enjoyed time together to learn, to talk, to eat, to laugh and to work. We had a blast!
 Amin Whalen began the afternoon on Saturday with a beautiful transmission of al-wird. Next, Jamila Davies gave participants a chance to write practice writing from the heart and then Amin delivered an ecstatic transmission of Sidi's chapter on Reliance (tawakkul) in the book How the Arrival is Realized O People of Hearts and Souls and Intellects.
We shared a delicious potluck dinner Saturday evening, including multiple desserts and then a rousing game of Pictionary led by Raja Kropff. Sunday morning, Amin Whalen led prayer and morning practices at 5 a.m. Amin Mills and Halima Willet prepared a delicious early morning breakfast of pancakes, waffles, fruit and eggs. At about 9 a.m. we gathered again and Abd'Allah Houck led the group through an energetic explanation of Qigong in light of Islam, Iman and Ihsan. We concluded the morning with service activities in the garden and in the IPC and then gathered for a dhikr, dhuhr prayer and an abundant lunch before saying good-bye.
One of the writing practices on Saturday was writing a poem using the word c-o-m-m-u-n-i-t-y, with one letter beginning each line. Everyone was delighted by the results. Here are a few examples:
Counting stars
Oh
My
Mind
Unlimited
Never have
I
Thought at such a
Young age to know You
-- By Noorah (pre-teen) |
Cherish the glances of passing time
Oh harried one
Money will not bring you inner peace or joy
Money will not bring you love
Unbind your heart
Now
Inner knowledge is yours
Tears may flow
Yours as well as those who travel along side you.
-- By Shamsa Houck |
Community is a connection and an
Opening to
My Love
Move into the Heart of
Unity, taste the sweet
Nectar of
Inner peace and
Tranquility
Yearn for Me my beloved
-- By Jamila Davies |
Contain your
Outrageous
Magnificent
Melody
Until a
Nugget of
Intimate
Tenderness
Yells your true name
--By Maryam Whalen |
 |
School News!
By Cindy Pratt, Principal Teacher
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
|
The Farm of Peace children's school is celebrating its new name, the Olive Branch Learning Center. The name symbolizes the peace we strive to embody, while embracing all facets of educational exploration.
Our students have been investigating the secrets of geometry, learning about the greatness of diverse leaders, reading, writing, sketching, and creating dioramas. We expand the classroom into the woods and fields, exploring possibilities for resolving environmental concerns. Students research the questions that excite their curiosity, and are learning to speak Spanish. It is a wonderful place of creative discovery. We are planning field trips and student gardens for the spring, and scheduling guest instructors.
Our school is growing -- we are currently accepting children at grades 5-8, full or part time, for fall enrollment. We welcome visitors - if you have kids or friends with kids who would like to visit, please call Cindy Pratt at 814-617-1320 and schedule a day to visit and explore the farm and school. We also welcome volunteers - if you have knowledge you enjoy sharing, or would like to help us develop grant proposals, call us and schedule a visit.
Our spring raffle is under way to raise funds to enlarge our library and buy new gym equipment, computers, microscopes, and arts supplies. The grand prize ($250 value) is a choice between a farm-raised lamb (frozen, cut and packaged), or a CSA spring/summer half-share, with other prizes from local theaters, restaurants and stores.
Tickets are only $10 each - to purchase yours, please call 240-441-8712 or 717-573-2956. The drawing is on May 2nd, at 2:30 pm, and everyone is invited. There will be snacks cooked by the students, and a display of their work. The Olive Branch Learning Center welcomes you to celebrate with us as we build the foundation for a vibrant future.
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."
~ William Butler Yeats
Reflections from the Zawiya
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I walk my path embraced by Allah's grace and love. I walk facing the fire and the garden hoping to remember to keep my hands on my heart and not grasp onto the magnificent beauty of the garden or onto the burn of the purifying fire.
 I walk because I have tasted the essence of God's Love within me. I have fallen in love with the ocean of Truth and Beauty that pours forth when I let go of the walls that I have created. When I let go of the ties to who I think I am, to the ties that bind me in constricting ways to the outer world, I taste that I am the nectar of Peace. I walk because I know that there is more substance to my being than the smallness that my humanity tells me that I am. I walk because this path because it is everlasting.
There are times when the fire is so strong or the calling is so deep that we need to drop everything in the outer world and retreat with our Beloved. Just like with any relationship, we need to get away with our Beloved and sit Heart in heart and remember why we are in love, why we are walking together. There are moments when the renewal that needs to take place is so deep that we need help.
The Farm of Peace offered me that deep containment so that I could let go and sit face in face with my Beloved. I knew that my heart, mind, body, and spirit would be supported in just the way that I needed while I sat with my Creator.
There was a moment during both labors with my sons that I hit a deep wall. I was exhausted, scared, unsure about what was happening, and afraid I just might die. Each time, there was someone, a friend or midwife, who looked me deep in the eye and said, "You can do this."
A few months after my beloved little sister died in a tragic accident, I drove 8 hours to zawiyya at The Farm of Peace needing that look in the eye. The burn was too much, the pain unbearable. I was angry and broken. I needed to remember what I am doing and why.
I received that and a plethora more. Beginning with the call to prayer in the morning to the Epson salts given to me for a bath in the evening, I was deeply cared for inside and out. Each beautiful woman and man who sat with me, prayed with me, witnessed me, answered my questions, cooked for me, laughed with me, each one was actually saying, "Yes, you can do this. You are not alone. We will hold you while you heal, while you release all that stands between you and Allah, while you stand back up, while you remember the ocean of Love and Mercy that is you."
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Always and forever,
Sumayah Julia C.
Greetings from the Farm Manager by Halima Jen Willett ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I hope the snowy winter has nurtured your appreciation of the return of spring. It is quite amazing to watch the earth transform with each season.
We spent an evening this winter, right after another six inches of snow fell, fastening the cover on the high tunnel. It was surreal to walk amongst the rows, once filled with abundant varieties of growth, to see a pure white blanket covering them with such grace. It filled me with a sense of peace, stillness, quiet.... No weeds to pull, no crops to tend, no critters to keep in check, just quiet waves of sparkling white beauty. That blanket of snow gave off a deep sense of mercy and protection, blanketing the soil from harsh winter winds and storing up moisture to soak into the soil for the young spring babies to come. It was quite stunning!
One of the gifts of the farming lifestyle is how it pushes you into the essence of each season. Winter slows the pace and gives us time to rest, reflect and renew. In this time of reflection, we plant our "dream seeds" for the coming season on the farm.
We invite you to join us for the 2014 CSA season and plant your "dream seed" by inviting the vision of local, nourishing produce in to your home next Spring. By reserving a share of the Farm of Peace CSA harvest you are making the intention of eating in harmony with the seasons and giving yourself the gift of vibrant health that it invites.
 | |
Holy basil seedlings ready to plant outside to feed the bees
|
You pick up your share here at the Farm every week, or at a drop point near you! This year our delivery points are: Berkeley Springs, WV (Farmers Market); Frederick, MD (MOM's Organic Market); Takoma Park, MD (10 Sherman Avenue); NW Washington DC (3220 Morrison Street); and Sterling, VA (the ADAMS Center).
If you would like to offer a CSA share as a gift, please let us know and we can email you something lovely to print out, giving notice of the abundant gift to unfold throughout the season.
Please visit our CSA sign-up page to reserve your share. You are welcome to give the farm house a call at 717-573-2956 with any questions about the coming season.
We have also scheduled some Farm Tours this spring -- see the right column for dates. Spring is a great time to visit the Farm, and it's free!
Kitchen Favorites Raw Kale Salad with Pumpkin Seeds
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you are craving greens, try this recipe from Delicious Living magazine. Kale provides more vitamin C than other leafy greens. Dark green dinosaur (Tuscan) kale is less bitter than the curly types, but either will work. Don't be afraid of raw kale - the lemon juice and avocado mellow its strong flavor. Makes 4 servings.
 1 bunch kale, stems removed and discarded, leaves thinly sliced 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Juice from 1 lemon
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 ripe avocado, cut into chunks
½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
In a large bowl, combine kale, olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of sea salt. Massage kale with your hands for a few minutes until it begins to break down and turn bright green. Add remaining ingredients and season to taste with sea salt and pepper; toss gently to combine. Serve cold or at room temperature within an hour.
Thank You!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Thank you to all who give their time and talents in service at the Farm of Peace.
Thanks to Shamsa Houck and Halima Reilly for volunteering their help in the kitchen during several busy workshops. During Community Nourishment weekend, Amin Jesse Mills, Abdu'Allah Houck, Serene N'Diaye, & Hassan Amiri pruned the 2nd year canes from the blackberries, helping ensure a better crop this summer. Amin Jesse and Jamil Bastress have taken care of stoking our wood boiler to keep the floors warm all winter, hoisting heavy logs twice a day come rain or shine. And big thank you to whoever keeps filling in the potholes in the road, too! (A never-ending chore.)
We are very appreciative for the generosity of all those who have given their time and resources to support the Farm of Peace. Thank you!
Farm of Peace / Sufi Center East
1212 Haven Lane
Warfordsburg, PA 17267
717-573-4722 (International Peace Center)
717-573-2956 (Farm Operations)
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
Writing from the Heart
with Jamila Davies
Mar. 29-30
Mysteries of the Sufi Secrets with Jeff Rahim Bronner
April 4-5
Money in the Holy Way with Jeff Rahim Bronner
April 6
Farm Tour - Free!
RSVP 717-573-2956
April 12, 2-4 p.m.
Raffle & Open House Olive Branch Learning Center; snacks, classroom tour, meet the teacher and students. Stay for the Farm Tour and potluck!
May 2, 3 p.m.
Farm Tour - Free!
RSVP 717-573-2956
May 2, 4-6 p.m.
Potluck dinner, 6 p.m.
Sacred Seasons: Spring - Blossoming / Life in Motion with Halima Reilly
May 10-11
Healing Retreat with Jamil Bastress
May 14-18
Farm Tour - Free! RSVP: 717 573-2956
May 15, 1-3 p.m.
CSA Deliveries Begin!
Have you signed up?
May 24
Medical Qiqong
with Isaac Goren and Jamil Bastress
May 30-June 3
Awakening your Leadership Presence with Trish Hamida Silber
June 21-22
Gardens of Truth with Salima Adelstein June 28-29
Contact us at 717-573-4722 to reserve a space in any of the above programs.
Everyone is welcome to our free weekly gatherings listed below.
Dhikr Circle
Sufi healing circle for healing of body, mind, heart and spirit. All are welcome! Potluck supper follows.
Fridays, 1:30 p.m., IPC. Gather for traditional Friday community prayer with teachings from the Qur'an and Sidi's writings.
********
Qur'anic Study
with Dr. Jeanette Hablullah
Beginner and advanced classes meet the 2nd and 4th Tues. / Wed. each month. Call 717-573-4722 for more information.
|
March 29-30
Open to what is deepest in you; open to the jewel,the pearl, the wisdom that you carry. Spiritual writing bypasses the chatter of the mind and connects the writer directly to what each of us is longing to know ~ the essence of who we are.
Writing from the Heart is led by Jamila Vicki Davies, a Sufi Master Teacher (Muqaddim) in the Shadhdhuliyya Sufi tradition. Jamila has taught hundreds of people the art of opening to the deep silence within.
Program Details and Enrollment
|
with Jeff Rahim Bronner
Now by Donation!
Mysteries of the Sufi Secrets
April 4-5
"I recently taught this in Palo Alto, CA, and we all had an amazing weekend. "If you need healing, support, guidance, a closer connection with God, this time will be perfect for you. We will be doing Sufi chanting, praying, remembrance, writing the Stations of the Secret and more. This is less like a formal workshop and more like sacred time to renew your heart. Everyone is welcome, especially newcomers."
Money in the Holy Way
April 6
An Abundance Workshop for Healing Personal FinancesDo you want a healthier relationship with money? Would you like to improve your finances and come closer to God at the same time?
Based on my 6-week 'Money in the Holy Way' series, this inspiring seminar will help you develop a loving, creative, honest relationship with money; help you find abundance, right livelihood, and come back into a deeper connection with God.
|
Sacred Seasons Spring Retreat for Women
with Halima Reilly
 Blossoming / Life in Motion
Are you feeling tired or overwhelmed?
Do you sometimes feel you've lost your connection to the Divine Love within?
Would you welcome some time away from the busy world to let yourself be nourished?
Our Sacred Seasons spring retreat is a chance to give yourself the gift of a weekend of rest, refreshment, spiritual connection and healing.
Beautiful things happen when women come together to share what's on their hearts, receive nourishment from the Divine Love and explore what their deep hearts are wanting to create in the world..
|
Medical Qigong Certification
with Dr. Isaac Goren and Jamil Rob Bastress
May 30-June 3
The Medical Qigong Practitioner Program trains students in the ancient and subtle energetic wisdom of Chinese Medicine. Open to all health care professionals, students of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and those interested in Chinese energetic medicine.
|
|
Giving is something only the heart can do.
|
Please consider what your
heart wants to contribute
to help us provide programs for spiritual nourishment and healing, a haven for peace, and the real love to all seekers.
We pray that you receive
many blessings for your giving, knowing that your donation makes a difference.
|
|
|
