sightings from the spiritual director from the web editor

From the road, here's what the layer we call 'the fan' looked like when the web editor got back near the end of the month.  See all the building going on? This is Sasha's home, the first on the land. She's making some changes and rearrangements, in addition to new art, these days. Azima's south wall, with the roof in progress.  Every day she's rejoicing in how beautiful her house becomes. Whose house is this, anyway? The donkeys spend lots of time looking in the doors -- probably admiring the donkeys they see inside. And this is Krishna Paul's house getting underway. You can't see it in the first photo because it's tucked among trees. Rashad has put out a call for wine bottles to build with, so stay tuned.  He spent Thanksgiving in Alaska with a daughter; kept sending news about -10 degree temperatures. We dance in town on the second and fourth Saturday nights at the Church of What's Happening. This year's Thanksgiving was also in town at Khankah Jemila Nur. Much, much to be thankful for.

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from the spiritual director  Last month we were blessed with a weekend spent with the beloved Turkish Rifai Sufi teacher Sherif Baba, who now lives in North Carolina.  He came to Silver City and engaged in sohbet (spiritual conversation) with us all day Saturday, zikr Saturday night, and more sohbet Sunday morning. Being with Baba set my heart on fire.  It reminded me why we do all this - why we work and meet and plan and cooperate and take care of the land and pray, eat, and dance together.  It's all about Ashk, Divine Love.  It's the reason for it all--not just for the SSC, not just for the Silver City Sufi Circle, not just for the Ruhaniat, not just for Sufism--but the whole shebang. So here's a poem that came right after Baba's visit: He brings us The message of Ashk Divine Love He sets our hearts on fire He teaches us The only gift we can give Allah Is the love we feel For other human beings Loving and serving Makes us beautiful We become the Beauty we seek We become mirrors for each other His presence His teaching Makes it so Ya Jamil! Ya Shakur! With all love, Azima

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