A Special Event
“Practical Mysticism and Emotional Survival:
Navigating the Imperfect in Troubled Times.”
Presented by John Hakim Bushnell, a teacher and guide of the
Light Upon Light Sufi Center in Minneapolis
Friday: September 11, 2026
7:00-8:30 p.m. CT
In Person
The overarching theme of the evening is praying with the body. The focus is on simple words and simple movements with not too much talking. We will use a bit of seated “Sri Ram” mantra to establish familiarity, then a bit of “Aramaic Jesus,” a bit of traditional zikr, some Sufi methods for making practice stronger, and a closing. The group will move back and forth between seated practice and standing Dances, which will keep us from tiring the body..
We’re soon to offer a new “Dances of Universal Peace” meeting based on the first principles of Murshid Samuel L. Lewis and Hazrat Inayat Khan. Murshid SAM liked to quote Sufi Al-Ghazzali who famously said, “Sufism is based on experience and not premises.”
Each person is their own spiritual laboratory. The pure research is how to swiftly change one’s interior state through Breaths, Walks, and Turns, Applied research is specific “Dances of Universal Peace” which demonstrate the same principle.
John Hakim Bushnell has followed the Sufi Path for 36 years under the guidance of Murshid Saadi ,Dr. Neil Douglas Klotz, of the Chisti Sufi lineage. Murshid Saadi has given Hakim permission to teach and to give initiation into the Chisti Sufi lineage . Hakim teaches the Way of the Heart through singing Divine Names and is a certified mentor of the Dances of Universal Peace.
Hakim has played 2nd guitar for Murshid Saadi at many retreats. Hakim presents the traditional foundations of Middle Eastern Mysticism, The Aramaic Words of Jesus, and more. He combines friendly informality with an experienced leading style that helps people to feel both comfortable and included.
He leads the “Zikr of Divine Remembrance” on Wednesday nights. He currently teaches “Practical Mysticism and Emotional Survival, a Toolbox for Life in the World,” on most Sundays in 2026/2027.
