Connecting with the Elements Retreat

Music and Sema Workshops, Zikr, Sema Gathering, Sacred Circles, Sohbet

Join us on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery and healing at Metanoia Retreat Center, Lebanon for five days of immersion of heart centric prayer and movement medicine. We will open the portal to a deeper space of healing and transformation. Your day will be filled with 6 hrs of ancient Persian and Central Asian sacred healing rituals and whirling, sacred dance, meditation, intensive training in metaphysical practices and yoga.

With Dr. Farima Berenji, Professor of Mysticism, Sufi Master/Reverend and Doctor of Metaphysics

Fire, Water, Earth, and Air are considered so valuable in Persian mystic and Sufi tradition. Among the four elements, Fire is the most holy element as it pervades the entire creation. Ancient Persian culture revered the Elements as the basic building blocks of the universe. The mystic beliefs from early times attribute the interactions between the elements as the cause of development for everything in the universe. Each element is of spiritual growth and vibrations of the root energy. Each element contains 7 sacred elements within it self that connect us to our spirit or one with the Wheel of Mitra (Divine Light). The symbolism of the four elements is found in the Tree of Life, the four directions, the four seasons, and the four Archangels.

Retreat includes:

• Sharing Circle and Lecture
• Dance Medicine and Healing Circles
• Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation
• Poetry, Music, Iranian Zikr (Prayers and Remembrance), and Sama (Sufi Whirling)
• Sightseeing or Rest (your option)

Our setting is the beautiful Metanoia Retreat and Wellness Center, Lebanon. Secluded in lush forest, free from civilization’s grasp, experience the pure, healing embrace of nature within nearly 2,500 square miles of pure tranquility.

Payment and Rules

$600 – Early-bird price until September 18, 2023
$700 – After September 18, 2023

Payment does not include transaction fees or visa fees. Payment may be by Paypal or other methods. Contact us for details.

Online Registration

Space limited. Registration required. Register early to ensure your spot and obtain a discount.
A refund is given if for any reason the retreat is canceled.

Contact us for questions prior to the start of the retreat.

Payment Includes

• Shared lodging in beautiful cabins
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, except as noted in the retreat schedule
• Daily refreshments and snacks. Tea, coffee, and water are always at your 
disposal.
• All healing and dance workshops

Payment Does NOT Include

• Visa fees (based on your departure country)
• Airfare
• Transportation or taxi fees
• Personal expenses or extra stay
• Personal sightseeing
• Extra food and drink not included on the menu
• Tips or extra services you may require

Retreat Schedule

Come with an open heart and please be receptive to what comes up for you.

Day	Timeline
Thursday	Air – An uplifting session in finding softness and length in the body and connecting with a sense of lightness. Breakfast – Welcome -Sharing Circle and Lecture -Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation: Air -Dance Medicine and Healing Circles: Silence – Calling the Angel of Air. Lunch -The Ouj – Earth to Sky: Mystical Dances, Rituals, and Whirling based on Air. Dinner Sacred Circle Gathering: Poetry, Music, and Iranian Zikr (Prayers and Remembrance) and Sama (Sufi Whirling).
Friday	Water – This session focuses on extension, the fluid flow of complete range of motion movements. Breakfast -Sharing Circle and Lecture  -Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation: Water -Dance Medicine and Healing Circle: Solitude, Water Therapy, Calling the Angel of Water. Lunch -The Moj – The Waves and Frequencies: Mystical Dances, Rituals, and Whirling based on Water Dinner -Sacred Circle Gathering: Poetry, Music, and Iranian Zikr (Prayers and Remembrance) and Sama (Sufi Whirling)
Saturday	Rest or Sightseeing Option Breakfast -Sightseeing – Fun Day Dinner and Free time
Sunday	Fire – A high intensity session to invigorate the senses, make you sweat and connect you with the power and energy that burns inside you. Breakfast -Sharing Circle and Lecture -Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation: Fire -Dance Medicine and Healing Circle: Fire Rituals, Gwati (Ancient Iranian Healing Dance) and Gazing – Calling on the Angel of Fire. Lunch -Fana – The Ecstatic Realm: Mystical Dances, Rituals, and Whirling based on Fire -The Calling: Farima’s Unique Healing Mediation Ritual based on the 7 Senses and the 7 Sacred Realm. Dinner -Sacred Circle Gathering: Poetry, Music, and Iranian Zikr (Prayers and Remembrance) and Sama (Sufi Whirling)
Monday	Earth – a grounding and stabilizing view of posture and movement that generates from natural energy relationship between your body, your heart center and the earth beneath your feet. Breakfast -Sharing Circle and Lecture -Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation: Fire -Yoga Session Lunch -Forud – The Return and Awakening: Mystical Dances, Rituals, and Whirling based on Earth -Dance Medicine and Healing Circle: Heart Connection and Stone Therapy – Calling on the Angel of Earth. -Ancient Iranian Sun Set Ritual based on the 4 Elements Dinner -The Wheel of Mitra – Ancient Prayer and Mystical Circle Dance of Unification and Purification. -Closing Ceremony
Tuesday	Option – People may stay or leave

Farima Berenji

Farima Berenji has an MA in Anthropology/Archaeology, MA in Iranian dance ethnology both from Cal State Hayward, and an M.Msc. and a PhD from the University of Sedona in Iranian metaphysics and mysticism, specializing in Iranian mystic traditions, Sufism, and women’s mystic rituals. She is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer and has been recognized as one of the few world scholars of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden, the EU, and the UN. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the SoulTM, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization member, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. She has excelled in artistic and innovative forms of cultural preservation and has been recognized by the international press. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to research, lecture, perform, educate, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..