Mevlana In America

By D. Andrew Kille, *Sufi leader to speak in Sunnyvale* - Examiner.com - USA
Monday, August 24, 2009

Kabir Helminski, Shaykh in the Mevlevi tradition of Sufism that traces its history back to the mystic poet Rumi, will be the guest speaker at the next gathering in the Interfaith Conversations Series sponsored by Pacifica Institute in Sunnyvale, CA.

Together with his wife Camille Adams Helminski, Kabir is co-Director of The Threshold Society, a non-profit educational foundation rooted in the tradition of Sufism and the work of Rumi. They believe that when people apply principles of spiritual development "we inevitably transcend much of the conditioning of our culture and identity."

He is one of the signatories of A Common Word Between Us and You, an open letter by islamic scholars to Christian leaders, calling for peace and understanding.

Helminski has translated many of the works of Rumi, as well as other Sufi literature, and has written two books on Sufism: *Living Presence: A Sufi Way to Mindfulnessand the Essential Self*, and *The Knowing Heart: a Sufi Path to Transformation*.

He and Camille came from Putney, Vermont to Aptos in 1999, and continue their work of writing, recording, and educational consulting. Together, they have published two collections: *Rumi Daylight: A Book of Spiritual Guidance* and *Jewels of Remembrance, 365 Selections from the Wisdom of Rumi*. Their books are now translated into at least seven languages.

He will be speaking on "Traveling the Way of Mevlana in America," sharing his experience as a Sufi in the US.

The Pacifica Insitute seeks "to promote cross-cultural awareness within the diverse communities we live in and help establish a better society where individuals love, respect and accept each other as they are."

Formerly known as Global Cultural Connections, it was founded in 2003 by the Turkish-American community of California as a non-profit organization.

The Pacifica Institute organizes conferences, panels, public forums and art performances in order to bring together people of diverse backgrounds and communities.

The event will be held on Sunday, September 6th, beginning at 6:30 pm at the Pacifica Institute Silicon Valley Branch, 1257 Tasman Drive, Unit B in Sunnyvale, CA.

RSVP is required by August 31st for dinner arrangements, and can be made by calling (408) 423-8543 or writing to pacificasv@pacificainstitute.org.

Visit the Pacifica Institute http://www.pacificainstitute.org/