Tajali Tolan and Ted Ryle will offer a taste of the Sufi Zikr practice on Sunday, March 23, 4pm. Zikr means “Remembrance” and involves simple thythmic movements while chanting the name(s) of God in Arabic and phrases like “la illaha il Allah” which means “There is no God but God” or “There is no Reality but God.”
The event will be held with the Community for Interfaith Celebration on Sunday, March 23rd, 4pm at United Churches, 110 11th Ave SE, Olympia (use rear entrance).
Ted and Tajali are both guides in the Sufi Ruhaniat International and certified leaders of the Dances of Universal Peace. Tajali hails from Montana and is the President. Ted a director of the DUP North America Board, as well as co-leader of the Olympia Dance Circle. They will offer some brief orientation and then alternate moving zikr with periods of seated contemplation on the words of Sufi adepts.
“When I say ‘la illaha,’ I erase everything. When I say ‘il Allah,’ I establish the Eternal in my heart.” — Mansur al-Hallaj
“Remembrance polishes the rust of the heart until it shines like a mirror.” — Al Ghazali
“Silence is the language of God, but Remembrance is the way to hear it.” — Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi
“Unity is not learned; it is remembered, for your soul has always known it.” — Rabia al-Adawiyya
“Remembrance is not for God’s benefit but for yours. The more you remember, the more you awaken.” — Hazrat Inayat Khan