JOURNEY TO THE SPIRITUAL HEART
KONYA, TURKEY
September 23-30, 2025
KONYA: WHERE THE VEIL BETWEEN WORLDS GROWS THIN
In the ancient heart of Anatolia lies a city where the spiritual and material realms dance in eternal harmony. Konya, the resting place of Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi, calls to those whose souls yearn for transformation and illumination.
For over eight centuries, this sacred city has been a pulsing center of Sufism, drawing seekers from across the world to its threshold. Here, amid the whispers of prayer and the echoes of sacred music, time itself seems to bend toward eternity.
Rumi Center invites you to our fourth annual pilgrimage to this luminous city, a journey not merely across continents, but across the landscape of your own spiritual heart.
THE CITY OF THE BELOVED
Konya is not simply a destination; it is a living testament to the enduring power of Divine Love. Within its ancient walls, the presence of Rumi – the great poet and spiritual master - permeates every stone, every smile, every breath and every moment of silence.
At the heart of the city is Rumi’s tomb. Here, beneath the iconic, majestic turquoise dome, the air vibrates with devotion and remembrance. Seekers from across faiths and traditions come to stand in the presence of the one who taught that the path to God is the path of love.
Beyond Rumi's tomb, Konya reveals itself as a tapestry of sacred heritage, from its intricately adorned Seljuk architecture, magnificent mosques with soaring minarets and hidden tekkes (or ‘Sufi lodges’), where the flame of tradition still burns bright.
YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO
Your week in Konya will be filled with experiences that nourish body, mind, heart, and soul.
Sacred Pilgrimages to Rumi's tomb and the makams of other revered Sufi saints and mystics who walked Konya's streets
Immersive Spiritual Practices including nightly dhikr and qasida ceremonies, salat (prayer) in community and contemplative walks through ancient sites
Living Traditions through attendance at authentic Mevlevi Sema ceremonies with expert guidance on their profound metaphorical symbolism and meaning
Artistic Immersion through hands-on workshops with master craftspeople who have preserved Konya's rich artistic heritage and legacy.
Cultural Exploration of magnificent Seljuk architecture, historic marketplaces and hidden gems known only to locals
Culinary Delights sampling the distinctive flavors of Central Anatolian cuisine at rustic family-owned establishments, enjoy daily Turkish breakfast spreads amd hot tea
Musical Transcendence at the renowned Sufi Mystic Music Festival, featuring world-class performers of sacred music
Communal Connection through shared meals, spiritual conversations, and the unique alchemy that forms when seekers gather in sacred space and with intention
Inner Reflection with ample time for personal contemplation, journal writing and integrating your experiences
Transformative Teachings through daily sessions on Rumi's poetry, Sufi psychology and the practical application of mystical wisdom
Between structured activities, find yourself lingering over warm cups of Turkish tea, engaged in heart-opening conversations with fellow seekers and local wisdom and tradition-keepers.
Come, come, whoever you are.
Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving.
It doesn't matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vow
a thousand times.
Come, yet again, come, come.
- Mawlana Rumi
These words of Rumi echo across eight centuries, inviting you to this sacred journey. The city that sheltered him in life now guards his eternal rest, continuing to illuminate the path for seekers.
This is not merely a retreat; it is a pilgrimage to the source and an opportunity to drink directly from the wellspring that has nourished countless souls.
In Konya, you will not simply learn about Rumi's teachings; you will experience the very essence from which they flowed. You will walk where he walked, pray where he prayed and perhaps, in moments of stillness, glimpse the reality he beheld inshallah.
Return home carrying not just memories and souvenirs, but a sense of inner awakening that continues to unfold long after your journey ends.
SOLD OUT
Our Konya retreat is fully booked!
However, due to demand from our community, we are expanding the opportunity for a few more to join us with a new package option!
Book Your Own Accommodation Package
$1800 USD per person (does not include accommodation)
payment plans available:
3 monthly payments of $600 USD per person
Please note: this new package would require that you book your own accommodations in Konya as we have reached full capacity at our hotel (Araf Hotel). We recommend you book accommodations near Mawlana Rumi’s tomb for walking distance access to the retreat group.
In order to make the booking process easier for you, we have compiled a list of recommended hotels and airbnbs located centrally near our hotel:
- Hich Hotel Konya (4 min walk)
- Bablin Butik Otel (1 min walk)
- Rumi Hotel (2 min walk)
PRICING
Special prices are available for Turkish residents, email rumicenterworkshop@gmail.com
*Limit one discount per customer, discounts can not be combined. All sales final
We look forward to welcoming you.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
✔️ 7 nights accommodation in an authentic Turkish boutique hotel for book your own package
✔️ Daily breakfast and 3 special group dinners featuring regional cuisine
✔️ All ground transportation within Konya
✔️ Daily teachings on Rumi's poetry and the Sufi path led by Baraka Blue
✔️ Evening gatherings of dhikr and suhba with Baraka Blue and a musical guest
✔️ Attendance at authentic Sema (whirling dervish ceremony) with expert guidance on its ritual symbolism
✔️ Sacred arts workshops led by master artisans
✔️ Guided visits to museums, historic sites, and places of spiritual significance
✔️ Special access to the internationally acclaimed Sufi Mystic Music Festival
✔️ A curated collection of readings and practices to prepare for and integrate your journey
✔️ The invaluable opportunity to experience Konya with knowledgeable guides who understand both its outer history and inner significance.
WHAT’S not INCLUDED
❌ Accommodations in Konya for duration of the retreat (for book your own package only)
❌ Airfare and Visa Fees
❌ Breakfasts
❌ Travel / Medical Insurance
❌ Airport Transfers to/from hotels
❌ Extra meals
❌ Additional Expenditures / Shopping
Featuring:
Baraka Blue
Baraka Blue is a Sufi poet, musician, author and founder of Rumi Center. In addition to releasing multiple studio albums, authoring books of poetry, and performing internationally, he has a degree in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Washington and a Masters in Islamic Studies from Berkley’s Graduate Theological Union. After a life-altering encounter with Rumi’s poetry as a teenager he has been a student of Sufism and Sufi poetry for the past 20 years.
+ Musical GUESTS
Ali Keeler & Omar Benlamlih from the al firdaus ensemble
Ali Keeler & Omar Benlamlih are members of the Al Firdaus Ensemble, based in Granada. The group takes its inspiration from the word “Firdaus,” which is the Arabic name, of Persian origin, for the highest abode in Paradise.
The unique sound of their music is due to a synthesis of different musical styles. These include original compositions of a more Western classical character, with influences from both Celtic and Flamenco traditions, and new arrangements of songs drawn from the rich heritage of traditional sufi music from Arabic, Andalusi, and Turkish sources.