Arif Leininger and Amina Silk will present an afternoon of Dances of Universal Peace and zikr. Simple, evocative circle dances and songs that draw on sacred phrases, scripture, and poetry of the Earth’s spiritual traditions. Combining Arif’s musicianship and Amina’s graceful, heartfelt movement, they express their love for this powerful practice of healing, community, and peace.
Registration: $20-$50 for the Afternoon Retreat + Potluck following, bring something to share! Please RSVP for the potluck and we will send you the dish signup form.
Amina Silk – an artist, a cook, a crafter and lover; lives in a small city in Massachusetts with her husband Arif on their artsy permaculture half acre. An ordained priestess in the order of Melchizedek, initiated in the path of the Ruhaniat and the Sufi Movement, a certified dance leader for the Dances of Universal Peace and a Ziraat Gardner. Certified in permaculture under the guidance and work intensive with Starhawk . Plant spirit practitioner and herbalist; a lifetime study, starting as a child with my Grandmother Ninin and through the years have had the privilege of working alongside many amazing herbalists including Rosemary Gladstar, Susan Weed, Pam Montgomery and many more . A Kriya Yogi initiate in the path of Paramahunsa Yogananda.
In 2018 received a 200 hour Hatha yoga certification, although I have taught yoga for 30 years, I started practicing yoga as a young child with Lilith on public television. Healing touch and Reiki practitioner under the supervision and guidance of John Gray. With a passion for building community one gathering at a time along with Arif, we offer opportunities to eat, dance and pray together, a recipe for peace on earth given to us by Murshid Sam. Forever grateful for all the amazing guides and teachers who have inspired and encouraged me to share these gifts.
Arif was initiated into the Sufi Order back in the early 1970’s, he took a break from active participation while he concentrated on his family and career. Returning to active participation in the early 2000’s.
Music has always been important to Arif. He began playing clarinet when he was 6 years old. Now he mostly plays guitar, for the dances, for kirtan, for local singalongs, and leading hymns for the local UU church.
Another long term passion is healing. Arif has studied and practiced several healing modalities, but his long time favorite healing modality is qigong. He has studied and practiced qigong since the mid 1990’s. Studying with Chunyi Lin, Ken Cohen and Robert Peng. He has completed Robert Peng’s healing intensive.
Arif and Amina teamed up in 2007. We are both dance leaders and we lead dances together as a team. We are passionate about bringing people together in community and connection and feel that it is so important for both our individual and our collective healing. So we host retreats and travel around the country leading dances and connecting with other beloveds.
