The word “mysticism” often brings to mind suspicions of an obscure hobby having little or nothing to do with real life. What the reader of An Emerald Earth will discover, however, is exactly the reverse: a mystical orientation that is accessible, relevant, and eminently natural.

 —Pir Zia Inayat Khan, Spiritual Leader of the Sufi Order International

"With the environmental crisis finally recognized throughout the world, is it too late? No! An Emerald Earth celebrates Sufi wisdom that, since its very beginning, has held the sacred green earth at its center. Today this wisdom guides us toward restoring ourselves and our relationship with the natural environment."

—DEAN JAMES PARKS MORTON, FOUNDER OF THE INTERFAITH CENTER OF NEW YORK, DEAN EMERITUS OF THE CATHEDARAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE, NEW YORK CITY.

"This book is filled with much gentle wisdom and its message is one of peace and service. I hope that the authors’ call for a life devoted to doing what is beautiful will find its way into many hearts."

—Tom Cheetham, author of “The World Turned Inside Out,” “Green Man, Earth Angel” and “After Prophecy: Imagination, Incarnation and the Unity of the Prophetic Tradition”

*****
"An Emerald Earth is an open invitation to those who are longing to rediscover the primordial harmony of the human soul and the natural world, both mirrors of each other and helpers to each other, both woven from the same cloth by the same Weaver. This wonderful book is constructed as an actual spiritual travel, using the stepping stones of meditation practices which guide the reader to experience how contemplation of the creation reveals human reality, and conversely how awakened humanity protects and elevates the creation to its own divine potential.

"

—Shaykha Fariha Fatima al-Jerrahi, Spiritual Guide of the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Sufi Order

 

 

Emerald Earth Retreats & Workshops

(listed on the right) affirm the true goal of the spiritual path: a natural and spontaneous freshness, a broad vision and the upholding of the beauty, sacredness of all life. These events, open to all, employ classical Sufi meditation methods to balance and purify our beings and to uncover and live more deeply from our essence. Using practices of breath, light, sound and creative imagination, we will affirm the sowing of the divine seeds of love, harmony and beauty in life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

book cover

“An Emerald Earth” celebrates the naturalness of spirituality. Drawing upon the universal teachings of the Sufi master Hazrat Inayat Khan on the “natural self” this book likens the unfolding of our being with the process of cultivating a field or garden. Unfolding of the natural self brings us to “An Emerald Earth”—a life in harmony and deep resonance with nature and Her elements, receptive to and serving the Creative Beauty that ever seeks to unfold. This practical guide incorporates basic meditation methods, rich teaching stories and poetry from Sufi, Buddhist and other spiritual traditions to describe a way of spiritual unfolding most relevant to our present age. Accenting our uniqueness, creativity and need for an ever fresh vision, “An Emerald Earth” affirms the infinite power of the heart. It points us towards an uplifted world and a joyous and fulfilling spirituality, rooted in service to life.

The Authors

Felicia Norton and Charles Smith are senior teachers and meditation retreat guides in the Sufi Order International. Felicia is the leader of the Ziraat Activity of the Sufi Order in North America. She is a classically trained dancer, performing internationally, and teaches at the United Nations School and the Educational Alliance in New York City. Charles teaches organization theory, leadership skills and group dynamics at Hofstra University, and writes on applications of Sufi perspectives to decision making, creativity and leadership. He is a trustee of the Sufi Order International. The authors are married and live in New York City, and guide workshops and retreats internationally on the central practices found in An Emerald Earth.

 

To view the Table of Contents and Sample Chapters, please click here:

AN EMERALD EARTH- SAMPLE CHAPTERS

 

 

 

 

2013

Upcoming Events
with Felicia Sharifa Norton
and Charles Muinuddin Smith

 March 17, 2013

 Spring Equinox Retreat

 New York City, New York

 contact: Isa Pyle, pyle@mindspring.com

 June 15, 2013

 Ziraat Retreat: Cultivating The Heart and Mind of Awakening

 Rochester, New York

    
contact: James Inayat Leff,
315-946-9854, jrleff_dc@yahoo.com


 
August 5-9, 2013
Emerald Earth
The Mystic Heart: Practices, Prayers and Poetry of the Sufi Tradition 
 Chautuaqua Institution
 Chautauqua, New York
contact:  info@themysticheart.com

November 1-3, 2013
Emerald Earth Ziraat Retreat,
Abode Programs
Abode of the Message
New Lebanon, New York
contact: 518-794-8095, programsoffice@theabode.net

 

 

Recent Past Events

2012

October 19-20, 2012 Emerald Earth Ziraat Retreat, Abode Programs, New Lebanon, New York

August 6-10, 2012 The Mystic Heart: Poetry, Practices and Prayers of the Sufi Tradition with Sharifa Norton and Muinuddin Smith, Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, New York

June 9-10, 2012 Emerald Earth Ziraat Retreat
Eureka Springs, AK

February 19, 2012, Retreat: The Illuminated Heart with New York City, NY


   2011

November 12-13, 2011, Emerald Earth Retreat,
Abode of the Message, New Lebanon, NY


August 1-5, 2011, The Mystic Heart: Practices, Prayers and Poetry of the Sufi Tradition Chautauqua Institute, Chautauqua, NY


June 4, 2011, Emerald Earth Retreat, Quiet Meadows Retreat Center, Canadaigua, NY


May 3, 10, 17, 2011

Spring Classes at The Open Center, New York City, NY

"The Path of the Heart: Sufi Teachings for Spiritual Awakening"


March 19-20, 2011 Emerald Earth Retreat,
Madison, WI


February 27th, 2011 Emerald Earth Retreat,
Morristown, NJ