An alankara is a classic style of Sufi communal contemplation. Gentle meditative music is played softly, and every couple of minutes the music is faded into silence when a short aphorism or saying is read by the Alankara leader. Then the music is resumed, allowing us to contemplate together the saying and its resonant meaning. The Alankara leader will have selected these sayings from teachings of the world’s spiritual traditions and poetry, usually relating to a single theme. A powerful aspect of these Alankara contemplations is the sense that a group of us, however physically distant we might be, are opening to the meaning of these sayings at the same time. Our communion is with both the significance of the sayings and with each other’s simultaneous presence. The Alankara sessions will last about 30 minutes. Our video cameras will not be open – a simple photo of a scene from nature will be on our screens to reduce distraction.

An alankara is a classic style of Sufi communal contemplation. Gentle meditative music is played softly, and every couple of minutes the music is faded into silence when a short aphorism or saying is read by the Alankara leader. Then the music is resumed, allowing us to contemplate together the saying and its resonant meaning. The Alankara leader will have selected these sayings from teachings of the world’s spiritual traditions and poetry, usually relating to a single theme. A powerful aspect of these Alankara contemplations is the sense that a group of us, however physically distant we might be, are opening to the meaning of these sayings at the same time. Our communion is with both the significance of the sayings and with each other’s simultaneous presence. The Alankara sessions will last about 30 minutes. Our video cameras will not be open – a simple photo of a scene from nature will be on our screens to reduce distraction.