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Who are the Ruhaniat Sufi Youth?

The Ruhaniat sufi youth are a group of young adults who practice sufism and attend the anual camp held at Mendocino Woodlands State Park. preceding the week-long Mendocino Sufi Camp.

The anual Sufi Youth Retreats are for youth aged 16 to 29. However, if you will be fifteen at the time of the next retreat and would like to participate, please send us a letter or email expressing why you would like to attend.

 

What is a Typical Day at Youth Camp Like?

The day starts with morning Raga or silent prayer for those able to wake up at 7am.

Breakfast is served around 8 am. Each morning we have eggs or tofu, yogurt or soy milk, granola, a variety of fruit, and coffee or tea to drink, which makes for a delicious breakfast. We then begin the first of our three daily camp gathering (consisting of Zikr, Dances of Universal Peace, and Sufi practices with our wonderful teachers).

At around 12 noon we have another delicious meal. For lunch we normally have an assortment of breads and sandwich fixings, fruit, salad, juice and tea. We have a break after lunch to visit the river or play some basketball.

At around 3 pm we start our second gathering. During our afternoon gathering we may do a women’s and men’s circle or do breathing practices in addition to Zikr and dances. Then it’s time for a third meal —probably the best. We may have lasagna one night, burritos another, and Indian food another, all served with many side dishes. Then we have dessert: brownies, chocolate chip cookies or maybe bread pudding.

After dessert we gather for the third and final time of the day. We dance the Dances of Universal Peace and we chant Zikr as at the other gatherings, but sometimes we also play a little electric guitar while we dance. The night ends with some of us drumming away on drums in a circle, some communicating and sharing while grabbing a bite in the kitchen, while others share around a fire at the fire circle.


What is Zikr?

Zikr is the remembrance of God. To engage in Zikr is to have awareness of God. Zikr as a devotional act includes the repetition of divine names, supplications and aphorisms from hadith literature, and sections of the Qur'an. More generally, any activity in which one maintains awareness of God is considered Zikr.


What are the Dances of Universal peace?

The Dances of Universal Peace are a form of spiritual meditative dance conducted in the company of a number of other dancers in a circle. The dances draw on all the world’s spiritual traditions and are led by a teacher who plays guitar or drum accompaniment. Each dance usually has a chant which is sung as the dance is performed.

The emphasis is on participation regardless of ability, the dances are almost never performed before an audience. Dancers of all levels of ability dance together and each dance it usually taught afresh at each performance.

Wahiduddin Shelquist has a great description of the dances on his web site.




Are you interested in attending sufi youth camp? If sharing time with friends in the majestic redwoods while exploring sufi practices, Dances of Universal Peace, zikr and much more sounds good —Sufi youth camp might be for you.

Sign up for the this years youth retreat.