A Taste of Divine Love
A Program for Newcomers to the Path of Sufism
December 3-8, 2025
Imagine living from the radiant light of your true self, bestowed by God.
Let go of limiting beliefs and painful experiences, and open to the Divine reality that lives within your heart.Our hearts contain a boundless source of love and wisdom, deeply connected to the divine love that permeates all existence. The Sufi path gently guides the student to lift the veils that obscure this inner vastness and helps us to reconnect with the origin of all love: God.
If you’ve ever yearned to understand your true nature or to draw closer to the Divine, we invite you to embark on a journey inward into the sacred depths of your heart, where divine love resides.
This path of purification of the heart (Tazkiyya) leads us to live from the radiant light of our true selves, bestowed by God instead of being shaped by limiting beliefs and painful experiences.
“You think you are a small star while the whole of the universe is hidden inside you.” – Sidi Muhammad Al -Jamal
Workshop Highlights
- Discover the deep heart as a gateway to the Divine through the Sufi practice of remembrance
- Uncover and release the misconceptions and wounds that veil the heart
- Walk the Sufi path through understanding the Stations of the Way, and prayer as a source of connection with the Divine
- An introduction to our guide, Sidi Muhammad al Jamal, and learning about the sacred promise
What to Expect
This workshop welcomes everyone, regardless of background, belief, or familiarity with Sufism; even if you’re simply curious.
Participants in the workshop will have the opportunity to learn in a community of fellow seekers, making new friendships and connections.
This Taste of Divine Love workshop will take place alongside the larger gathering of the Shadhiliyyah Sufi Community, Light Upon Light. We will join the larger group for meals, core teachings in the morning, and optional salat prayers, evening khalwa prayer retreat, and some other special offerings.
Expect to leave this workshop equipped with a set of tools you can take home with you to continue returning to your connection with the source of all wisdom and love, throughout life’s changes and challenges
Schedule
Early mornings begin with group prayer practices
Breakfast – A warm breakfast followed by the option to join a qualities walk with Dr. ‘Abd al-Godlas outside in prayer with the Names of God.
Two core teachings will be offered after breakfast given by our knowledgeable and honored faculty. Our newcomers group will join the whole group for the morning sessions.
Lunch– A nourishing and halal meal with gluten free and vegetarian options
Our afternoons will be spent within our smaller newcomers group, learning essential ways to carry the Sufi teachings into our lives.
Dinner– A nourishing and halal meal with gluten free and vegetarian options
After dinner we will have the option to join the larger group again for chanting dhikr circle, and a prayer retreat on Sunday night
How to Register
- Access the general registration form for the Light Upon Light gathering through the “Register Now” button below.
- Enter your contact information and answer the event-related questions.
- When you reach the question: I’m new to Sufism and not sure how much I will participate answer Yes.
*** To support your journey, we are thrilled to offer you almost 60% off of the general program registration fee! ***
- Enter the coupon code SUFILOVE300 before you submit your registration.
- Someone from our Taste of Divine Love team will contact you.
Facilitators
Rahima Schmall, Ph.D.
Rahima met Sidi in 1999 after which she moved to the Mother Center in Pope Valley where she was the director of the Zawiyyah Retreat and then the Program director of the Healing Intensive, which she still facilitates. In 2004 she helped design the University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism and until 2016 was the program chair for the Healing and Counseling MA.
Rahima is a clinical psychologist, registered nurse and master healer in the Sufi way. She currently lives in Santa Fe, NM where she helps people through Sufi healing, teaching and mentoring. As a teacher, she has a passion to help each student find their unique gift as a healer and human being.
Rahima serves the SSC Board of Directors facilitating the creation of programming to serve the Sufi community and anyone whose heart is longing to know divine love.
Dr. Alda Zuleikha Sainfort (Murrabi)
Zuleikha is a gifted healer whose work harmonizes medicine, mysticism, and service. With dual doctorates in Western and Eastern Medicine and board certification in holistic care, she blends Acupuncture, Ayurveda, and spiritual insight into a truly integrative healing practice. As the founder of Advanced Healing Wellness Center, she has dedicated her life to a comprehensive approach to wellness; one that honors the physical, emotional, nutritional, and spiritual dimensions of healing.
In the Sufi tradition, Zuleikha holds the esteemed title of Murrabai, a cherished spiritual guide and teacher. Her decades of service have touched not only individuals but entire communities, reflecting her unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and devotion to the Divine.
Zuleikha’s unique fusion of clinical expertise, spiritual depth, and heartfelt compassion brings to life the essence of Shifa, healing in service to Divine Love. Her teachings unfold in a gentle, sacred space where hearts awaken, wisdom is shared, and transformation begins. To receive her guidance is to be reminded that healing is a sacred reunion that within each of us burns the light of the Divine, capable of profound miracles.
Other Teachers
The morning core teachings will be led by some of our honored Sufi teachers who will be present to lead the larger gathering, including Murshid Dr. Ibrahim Jaffe, Murshida Dr. Fawzia al-Rawi (joining remotely), Murshida Salima Adelstein, Murshid Dr. Wadude Laird, Dr. Kamila Shenmen, Amina al-Jamal, Mahdi al-Jamal, Dr. Abd al-HaqqGodlas, Amany Shalaby, and Nura Laird.