top of page

TENDER in the ROSE GARDEN

​

Sufi Weekend Retreat  AND  ASHK Unplugged JAM

with

SHERIF BABA CHATALKAYA

​

sherifbaba.jpg

Coming to the Bay Area, Sherif Baba and his dervishes, after their visits to Washington and Seattle, are delighted to invite you to a Sufi Weekend Retreat with four intimate gatherings at San Pablo and an Ashk Unplugged session with Sufi+Alevi Music, whirling and Semah to share the scent of Ashk with a wider audience in Berkeley… 

 

Through his decades of learning, teachings and travel, Sherif Baba brings a message that is deeply grounded in the Turkish Sufi tradition of “sohbet” and ‘meshk’ and universal in its application. Sherif Baba weaves a tapestry of wisdom stories, conversation, wit and humor, illuminating listeners and inviting transformative insight through music and whirling meditation.

 

Sherif Baba, embodies the spirit of spiritual freedom, and offers a reinterpretation of conventional norms in matters of religions and spirituality. In a world where conventions, rituals, and the superficial repetition of spiritual words have overshadowed the direct connection to a greater wisdom, he brings a fresh perspective and rekindles the essence of inner exploration. 

 

Turkish Sufism is a unique blend of Alevi-Bektashi traditions and Sufi practices, encompassing stories from various traditions. It celebrates inclusivity and interconnectivity in a time where separation is putting thorns into our hearts.

 

Let the Gardener tend gently to the thorns and petals alike…

​

​

​

 

​

Sufi Weekend RetreaT : 

intimate gatherings with SHerif baba   

​

Sherif Baba’s intimate Sohbets and Meshks are not scripted; instead, they flow from his unstructured love, enabling participants to embark on an inspired journey through mystic sounds, singing, chanting, exercises, whirling, talks, prayers, and the profound impact of his presence. This form of intimacy acts as a gentle reminder of our own connection with the Beloved, for a master teaches by example rather than through mere words.

​

Friday Nov 10, 2023                         

​

Session 1 Sohbet and Meshk

 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

 

Saturday Nov 11, 2023                     

​

Session 2 Sohbet 

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

​

Lunch Break

2:00 PM- 5 PM

​

Session 3 Sohbet and Meshk

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

​

Sunday Nov 12, 2023                      

 

Session 4 Sohbet 

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

​

ADDRESS : San Pablo Sufi Space

5680 Casino Ave, San Pablo, CA 94806

 

FOOD :

The tea and soup pot will always be boiling for all sessions, the Sufi way. Corn bread, salad, fruits and refreshments will be provided on Saturday for Lunch. If you'd like to offer your own flavors to share, you are more than welcome.

 

We invite you to fully immerse yourself in the experience, while still offering the flexibility to choose your level of participation.

​

Register for full retreat:

​

  • Nov 10, 2023, 7:00 PM – Nov 12, 2023, 2:00 PM
    San Pablo, 5680 Casino Ave, San Pablo, CA 94806, USA
    Sherif Baba’s intimate Sohbets and Meshks are not scripted; instead, they flow from his unstructured love, enabling participants to embark on an inspired journey through mystic sounds, singing, chanting, exercises, whirling, talks, prayers, and the profound impact of his presence.

OR CHOOSE DROP-in SESSIONS:

  • Drop-in
    Sun, Nov 12
    San Pablo
    Nov 12, 2023, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    San Pablo, 5680 Casino Ave, San Pablo, CA 94806, USA
    Nov 12, 2023, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    San Pablo, 5680 Casino Ave, San Pablo, CA 94806, USA
    Sherif Baba’s intimate Sohbets and Meshks are not scripted; instead, they flow from his unstructured love, enabling participants to embark on an inspired journey through mystic sounds, singing, chanting, exercises, whirling, talks, prayers, and the profound impact of his presence.
  • Drop-in
    Sat, Nov 11
    San Pablo
    Nov 11, 2023, 5:00 PM – Nov 12, 2023, 8:00 PM
    San Pablo, 5680 Casino Ave, San Pablo, CA 94806, USA
    Nov 11, 2023, 5:00 PM – Nov 12, 2023, 8:00 PM
    San Pablo, 5680 Casino Ave, San Pablo, CA 94806, USA
    Sherif Baba’s intimate Sohbets and Meshks are not scripted; instead, they flow from his unstructured love, enabling participants to embark on an inspired journey through mystic sounds, singing, chanting, exercises, whirling, talks, prayers, and the profound impact of his presence.
  • Drop-in
    Sat, Nov 11
    San Pablo
    Nov 11, 2023, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    San Pablo, 5680 Casino Ave, San Pablo, CA 94806, USA
    Nov 11, 2023, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    San Pablo, 5680 Casino Ave, San Pablo, CA 94806, USA
    Sherif Baba’s intimate Sohbets and Meshks are not scripted; instead, they flow from his unstructured love, enabling participants to embark on an inspired journey through mystic sounds, singing, chanting, exercises, whirling, talks, prayers, and the profound impact of his presence.
  • Drop-in
    Fri, Nov 10
    San Pablo
    Nov 10, 2023, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM PST
    San Pablo, 5680 Casino Ave, San Pablo, CA 94806, USA
    Nov 10, 2023, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM PST
    San Pablo, 5680 Casino Ave, San Pablo, CA 94806, USA
    Sherif Baba’s intimate Sohbets and Meshks are not scripted; instead, they flow from his unstructured love, enabling participants to embark on an inspired journey through mystic sounds, singing, chanting, exercises, whirling, talks, prayers, and the profound impact of his presence.

ASHk UNPLUGGED JAm:
Sufi+alevi ritual traditions from anatolia

 

An expression of the enchanting strains of Sufi and Alevi music, featuring Sherif Baba, Gulistan Ensemble and Bay Area musicians, whirling dervishes and Alevi group dances. Active participation from the audience is greatly encouraged, but even observing will be integral to becoming part of the circle of the jam/cem/meshk. 

 

Feel free to join in the exercises, immerse yourself in the chanting, and gracefully engage in the art of whirling and Semah.

​

Refreshments will be available for sharing, fostering togetherness.

​

Sunday Nov 12, 2023                      

7.00 PM - 9.30 PM

 

VENUE 

ASHKENAZ Music and Dance Community Center, Berkeley

​

buy tickets for the experience:

GLOSSARY:

 

  • Sufi: A follower of Sufism, which is the mystical Islamic belief system focused on the inward search for God's love and knowledge.

  • Sema: A sacred Sufi ritual of whirling dance, often performed as a form of devotion.

  • Ashik: In Turkish culture, an ashik is a folk poet and musician who typically plays the saz (a stringed instrument) and sings songs that often revolve around love, nature, and spirituality. Literally means somebody fallen into a mad love.

  • Sohbet: In Sufism, "Sohbet" refers to spiritual conversation or discourse between a spiritual teacher (or Sufi master) and their disciples.

  • Meshk: A Turkish word meaning "training" or "exercise," in the context of Sufi spiritual refers to a gathering or event in which Sufis come together for spiritual practices and to experience states of deep devotion and love for the divine, often described as "ashk" or "ishq," which represents intense, passionate love. The aim of a Meshk is to help participants connect with their inner selves and the divine through a shared spiritual experience. It is a way to cultivate and express the love and longing for the divine, which is a central theme in Sufi mysticism. Meshk can be a deeply transformative and emotional experience for those who participate.

  • Beloved: A term commonly used in Sufi poetry to refer to the Divine.

  • Alevi: A branch of Islam with a distinct set of beliefs and practices, including the Semah ritual and a focus on the spiritual significance of "Ali," the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. 

  • Bektashi: A Sufi order with Alevi beliefs, known for their unique rituals and practices.

  • Semah: The Alevi and Bektashi form of spiritual dance, often performed in a group setting.

  • Cem: A spiritual gathering in Alevi and Bektashi traditions, incorporating rituals, music, and communal worship for spiritual connection and community building.

  • Gulistan: "Gulistan" (Rose Garden) is often used metaphorically in Turkish and Persian Sufi literature to symbolize a place of beauty, spiritual growth, and enlightenment. It represents a metaphorical garden where the soul can blossom and flourish, much like a rose in a lush garden. 


 

Note on "ch" and "sh" in Turkish:

 

  • "Ch": The "ch" sound is typically represented by the letter "ç" in Turkish. For example, "Chatalkaya" would be written as "Çatalkaya."

  • "Sh": The "sh" sound is typically represented by the letter "ÅŸ" in Turkish. For example, "Sherif" would be written as "Åžerif."

​

​

THIS EVENT 

​

is organized by:

 

ANA+, as part of the In ASHIK SERIES program. UNESCO commemorates the 50th anniversary of the death of poet-musician-bard Ashik Veysel in 2023. Turkey recognized this year as the year of Ashik Veysel. ANA+ commits to organizing concerts, research projects, lectures, film screenings, and workshops on Ashik Veysel and Ashik Culture. Recognizing the diversity of ASHIK Tradition in Anatolia, ANA+ will also explore the lineage of Women Ashiks; Ashik cultures in Armenian, Greek, Kurdish, and other communities, past and present. ANA+ is an interdisciplinary platform for events+research+education, bringing diverse arts and cultures of Anatolia to the Bay Area and beyond.

​

ASHIK SERIES program is partially funded by the California Arts Council and The Center for Cultural Power.

........

This event's revenue is covering the expenses of Sherif Baba and 5 dervishes' US trip from Turkey. All the organization work by ANA+ and a collective of his lovers is dedicated to bringing this esoteric/ancestral tradition to the US. If you wish to become a patron of our programs, please contact us so that we can offer more sponsorships to low-income artists and bring them more often to the US.

bottom of page