The first time I did a Sufi Workshop with Adnan Sarhan, the founder of this moving meditation work, he didn’t actually begin for about 45 minutes. I felt uncomfortable -- wondering what was wrong or whether I had misread the flyer. 

I soon learned that this was how Adnan always started his workshops. The wait, it turns out, is part of the work -- a time to settle down, talk with friends, and fully arrive. It was also time for him to assess the capacity of the students and what they needed. I would see him sitting on the stage or his blanket completely focused -- watching and sensing the energy and readiness of the group. He began when it felt right to begin.

The workshop that unfolded was always in response to the people in the room -- an energetic dance between Adnan and his students. His workshops were not thought out or planned. They evolved in the moment.

When I first taught Sufi classes in Berkeley in the early 2000s, I did not understand this aspect of his teaching. I often spent hours the previous day choosing my music carefully. Of course, I chose the music based on my intuition of what would work for me, but once I got to the location it was pretty well set regardless of who showed up. I know better now.

In my Zoom class, I don’t even look at my playlist until 20 minutes before class. I might play some music to assess my mood and inclination. However, any ideas about the sequence of the class will change depending on who shows up and how things feel.

The change is not rational, e.g. I have a new person, so I better play this! It just a clear sense of what will work best. Even after I begin the class, how long I do something and what I will do next is always dependent on how it feels in the moment.

It is best for participants to come at the beginning. Because the class is only 90 minutes long, we don’t hang out very long. Maybe ten minutes. But those ten minutes are essential to calibrating my class. 

Last Friday, no one showed up in those first ten minutes so I started the class alone. I fell into a very deep state because it was only me and it was exactly what I needed.

About 45 minutes later a person showed up with the video off. I was dancing at that time, and too deep into the movement to stop. So I didn't. I simply continued until it felt right to stop.

My visitor left as soon as I stopped dancing and came over to the computer screen. It did feel a little weird probably for both of us.

Had she stayed, I would have enfolded her into my moment and continued the class. It would not have been easy, but that is what the work is all about -- being in the moment.

I would teach the class to one person if that were who showed up. I would do it just for myself. It is not about how many people are in the class. It is about being present and surrendering to what is. I could do it every day.

I hope this person returns and experiences the class from the beginning. I will be there for her if she does.

I have observed Adnan doing a workshop for as few as 4 people. He never expressed disappointment. He just did the work. He is my inspiration.

It is difficult to join late in the progression of the Sufi class because each part builds on the previous part. More experienced Sufi students might be able to adjust to coming late, but even they may feel a little out of sync. It’s a little like coming to a movie 45 minutes late. You waste a lot of your time adjusting to what is going on and probably miss some of the subtleties.

At summer camp, the evolution happens over the entire 2-months of July and August. Some people come in August because they assume that is when the work is the deepest. But if you are not in synch, it will take you at least a week to adjust. 

It has often happened that I would discover a new person at camp only to discover they had already been around for a week. I suspect they simply weren't visible to me until they had fully arrived and integrated. Like we were vibrating at a different frequency.

In addition to starting at the beginning of a Sufi class or workshop, it is better to stay until the end. Enjoy the full meal. Only when you enjoy all the courses will everything fit into place. 

Nevertheless, Adnan always said it is better to come for a little while than not at all!

Join me tomorrow for my Sufi Moving Meditation class -- Friday, October 13th at 9 am PDT.

Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89999494833?pwd=V2pOS28yYUdXM3hkaW1rVWIvSjBUdz09

Meeting ID: 899 9949 4833

Passcode: SUFI

9 am PDT is early morning on the West Coast! Here's a time converter link if you need to check the time in your location.

Be brilliant.

Michelle

Dr. Michelle Peticolas

Life Transformation Coach

Empowering Women to Reinvent Their Life After Loss

Secrets of Life and Death

https://www.facebook.com/secretsoflifeanddeath.com