DISCOVERING WHAT DEATH CAN TEACH US ABOUT LIFE AND WHAT LIFE CAN TEACH US ABOUT DEATH


STARTING JANUARY 2026

This year long training program, based on the book A Year to Live by Stephen Levine, is designed for people of all walks of life and stages of life. In community, we will focus on waking up and living life more fully through the exploration of death as a spiritual practice.

Most aspects of our largely death-denying modern culture discourage us from actively contemplating the inevitability of our death, or that it may meet us at any time.

The prophets and sages recommend a very different approach to the fact of life's transience: that we use remembrance of death, not to put us in a state of anxiety or morbidness, but as a contemplative practice to assist us in our journey to awaken to that which does not die but lives beyond the ephemeral nature of our lives in this world.

Their lives bear witness to the fact that there is a way to die to the attachments and distortions of the ego and come to the realization of a deeper self that transcends death and the perishing realm. This is reflected in the prophetic injunction, "die before you die."

This core teaching of all wisdom traditions—that we can realize that which is eternal and transcends our physical bodies—paradoxically provides the means to live more fully and more presently while savoring the gift of each precious breath on earth. 

Ultimately, this is a year-long practice in living with presence and intention; as well as forgiveness and gratitude, while letting go of what no longer serves us on our journey

Through reflections from sacred texts, the prophetic teachings, and the great sages—as well as guided meditations, inquiry and small group discussions— we will journey with the support of community, through a process of living this year as if it were our last. 

All are warmly welcome!

Join Us

PROGRAM INCLUDES

  • Teachings: Monthly (12) large group sessions

  • Community Support: Monthly (12) micro-cohort sessions

  • Private Groups: Ongoing engagement with community and spaces for sharing

  • Home Practices: Guided meditations, readings & journaling

  • Access: Video and audio recordings

PARTICIPATION COMMITMENT

You’ll meet twice each month — once with the large group and once with your micro-cohort on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Together, these two monthly sessions form the rhythm of the program.

Participants are expected to:

  • Attend at least 9 of the 12 monthly large group sessions — the first session is required to establish trust, safety, and shared commitment within the group container.

  • Attend at least 9 of the 12 monthly Micro-Cohort sessions.

  • Participate as fully as possible — with video on and full engagement during sessions.

  • Complete assigned readings, practices, and reflections.

    *If you are unable to make this level of commitment at this time, we kindly ask that you wait and join a future offering when you’re ready to participate fully.

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facilitators

This training is taught by 4 lead facilitators who each bring a unique area of specialization to the program. 


Core Facilitation Team

Baraka Blue 

Micah Anderson 

Adeyinka Muhammad Mendes

Tasnim McCormick Benhalim


In addition to our four lead teachers, we feature several guest teachers whose sessions offer valuable insights from their areas of specialization.

Guest Teachers 

Arshe Ahmed (live)

Sohaib Sultan, rA (recording)

Abdal Hakim Murad (recording)

Abdallah Rothman (recording)

Ieasha Prime (recording)

Mirabai Starr (recording)

FACILITATOR BIOS
  • January - The Prognosis & The Practice

    February - Fear of Death & Dying

    March - Who or What Dies?

    April - What Comes Next?

    May - Grief

    June - Caravan of No Despair: Loss and Transformation

    July - Unfinished Business & Forgiveness

    August - Life Review and Making Peace

    September - Last Will and Testament

    October - Letting Go, Leaving your Legacy

    November - We Are Not Alone

    December - Saying Goodbye

    *Monthly topics subject to change.

  • We will meet twice each month — once on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The second Saturday session is 3 hours and the fourth Saturday session is 90 minutes.

    — 2nd Saturdays (10:00 AM–1:00 PM PST)

    • Jan 10, Feb 14, Mar 14

    • Apr 11, May 9, Jun 13

    • Jul 11, Aug 8, Sep 12

    • Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12

    — 4th Saturdays (10:00 AM–11:30 AM PST)

    • Jan 24, Feb 28, Mar 28

    • Apr 25, May 23, Jun 27

    • Jul 25, Aug 22, Sep 26

    • Oct 24, Nov 28, Dec 26


      Time commitment varies, and like all things—you get out of it what you put into it. We meet every other week, alternating between large group and Micro-Cohort sessions, and as long as you can dedicate a few hours each week, you’ll be able to stay engaged and keep up with the course.

  • We will be meeting online using

    https://zoom.us

  • Participants can choose one of two payment options:

    • Monthly plan: $99/month for 12 months

    • One-time payment: $900 (best value — save $288)

    Payments are processed automatically and remain duewhether or not you complete the program.

    Registration closes on December 31st.

REGISTRATION

Monthly plan: $99/month for 12 months
One-time payment: $900 (best value — save $288)

TESTIMONIALS

  • Overall, I really enjoyed this course. A huge thank you to all those involved. There were several things that enabled this. Firstly, the facilitators were simply outstanding - Micah, Baraka, Sh Mendes, Tasnim, and others. The guest speakers were also inspirational and added much value to my learning. I absolutely loved the international flavour of the course and it being online made it very accessible. I loved the respectful way in which people of different faiths were included, with our dear Bilal giving translations in the chat box every time an Arabic word was mentioned :) I loved the focus on meditation and journalling, and allowing enough space for people to speak. There was incredible wisdom in the group and this was beautifully facilitated. The presence of our dear Imam Sohaib Sultan had such an impact on me, he is with me in my prayers so often and his words continue to ring inside of me. May he be granted the highest place in Jannah, Ameen. I loved the flexibility of the course with us being able to witness his janazah.

    NAZEEMA

  • I had a very positive, insightful, introspective, and productive experience. This course was therapeutic and nourishing for the soul. It was like having heart surgery then having a hundred friends and family support you through the recovery. I am very grateful for this experience.

    NEHA

  • I can honestly say it was one of the most life-changing things I have ever attended.

    AMEERA