07:00 pm - 12:00 pm
This retreat offers an exploration of the Black Latifa — a subtle, luminous quality of presence that evokes profound peace, inner stillness, beauty and mystery. When this essential center is activated, our mind grows quiet, and at times, the entire inner landscape feels completely still, clear, and free of our usual agitation.
From this stillness, insights and truth may arise — not through effort or thinking, but as spontaneous knowing. You may not understand where the knowing comes from; you simply find yourself open, intuitive, and connected to truth in a way that transcends the thinking mind.
The Black Latifa is the presence of consciousness as stillness — luminously black, and quietly powerful. As we rest in it, we reconnect with the foundational peace and unshakable power at the depth of our being.
This retreat is a vital part of our exploration into the five Lataif; a group of essential aspects that not only enrich our lives but help us build the capacity for spiritual deepening in all aspects of our development.
New students:
At 6 PM on Friday, there is an introduction to the retreat for new people and anyone interested in reviewing the retreat format and practices.
For those new to the Diamond Approach, this is a great opportunity to check out the Diamond Approach in person with an ongoing, open group.
Retreat Structure
This is an ongoing retreat group in the initial stages of the Diamond Approach work called MIdwest Group 4. We are meeting 4 weekends a year, with a mix of in-person and online retreats. As the group gets established, additional sessions will be added which will extend the retreat.
Weekend retreats will be composed of meditation, breath and movement practices, lectures, and self-reflection, exercises geared toward connecting with our True Nature and facilitating the unfoldment of our souls.
Youth Scholarship:
If there’s anyone you know who’s under 40 and on the fence about checking out the DA, a youth scholarship application can be found at this link: https://dayouthfund.org/. It can cover part of the costs for retreats, either online or residential/in-person, 1:1 session work and can also cover child care costs!
This retreat is a vital part of our exploration into the five Lataif; a group of essential aspects that not only enrich our lives but help us build the capacity for spiritual deepening in all aspects of our development.
See Pricing and Register Online
More Information about Midwest 4 Diamond Approach Retreats
The Diamond Approach is the core teaching of the Ridhwan School (www.diamondapproach.org) and has been in existence since 1977. The method has become well known through the many books published by A.H. Almaas and the multiple opportunities currently to participate in Diamond Approach retreats throughout the world.
The Diamond Approach path, DA Upper Midwest Group 1, was first introduced at the Christine Center in 1996 by Sr. Johanna Suebert. Since then Groups 2 and 3 were also formed. This new group, DA UMW Group 4, is an open group, accepting new students for the next few years. The current teachers have been active members of the school and the DA UMW Group 1 since 1996, were ordained in 2016-2017 and live and practice in various places in the Midwest.
Most of us spend our lives within a thin layer of reality, unaware of the deeper realms of our consciousness. What we call emotional reality—the layer where most people believe human richness lies—is onion-skin deep compared to the totality of reality. Beneath this thin layer of emotions and thoughts lie indescribable beauty and freedom. Many people wander in that onion-skin layer forever, but in the inquiry process, it’s a layer we need to go through and not get stuck in. To support us in this movement into and through our emotions, reactions, and beliefs, the White or Will Essence—plays an important role.
(A.H. Almaas, Spacecruiser Inquiry, p 285)
