Southwest Sufi Community

First, a vision...

revealing a natural southwestern landscape with a stream, meadows, trees, rock formations, and vistas to magnify the human spirit. The sense of a land-base that draws a variety of people into intentional community is strong, as is the feeling that the land serves as a spiritual refuge, retreat facility and healing center.

The land, respectfully approached through the principles of Permaculture, provides scope for environmentally sensitive habitation and extensive organic gardening. Camps and seminars feature stewardship training in addition to spiritual teachings. Community members develop an intentional village to which the wise from sacred cultures around the world are invited to share their knowledge. Inspired by our spiritual practice, creative and ennobling possibilities emerge for us and future generations as we share this experience of transformative community in conscious harmony with the land.

... and now a home

on 1500 panoramic acres of land in southwestern New Mexico. The Southwest Sufi Community is the people who are connecting with each other through the Bear Creek land near Silver City, and through the vision of what can unfold there. We are creating a center of Sufi teaching and practice that serves as a retreat facility, a residential community, an experiential school in the interweaving of ecology, art, healing, and inclusive spirituality. We are privileged to steward the Bear Creek land as a perpetual wilderness habitat for native plants and animals.

At present, we are:

hosting visitors, sponsoring camps, and offering facilities for personal retreat
forming a residential village; developing community and extended family
raising money to complete the purchase of the Bear Creek land

Join us. We can make a difference.

Sufism is the religious philosophy of love, harmony and beauty.
Sufism is the religion of the heart.
The Sufi's religion is the service of humanity, and the Sufi's only object of attainment
is the realization of truth.
A Sufi is one who is able to see from the point of view of another,
as well as from her or his own point of view.
To learn wisdom at every step on the path of life is the only work of the Sufi.

~Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan

Living gently, respectfully, harmoniously.

The principles of Ziraat (sacred cultivation of the heart and land together) and Permaculture are being used to develop environmentally sensitive habitation, with an overall focus on land stewardship.

Developed areas will be clustered; a memorial garden will be created for burial and scattering of ashes. Portions of the land will be designated as Nature Preserve areas with no development within these boundaries.

Southwest Sufi Community land is the first site to be listed on the New Mexico Nature Conservancy's Registry of Natural Areas. The New Mexico Nature Conservancy recognizes the Bear Creek ecology and riparian system as an important component of the Gila River watershed, one of the richest areas of bio-diversity in the United States. To protect this area from free ranging cattle, we have received a grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to fence the property under our care.

At a glance:

1500 acres; 5200 to 5900 feet elevation;
16 miles from Silver City, New Mexico; 40 minute drive on county maintained road.
high cliffs, mesas, canyons, bottom lands & habitat for many species of plants and animals;
garden and orchard areas.
bordering Gila National Forest, other government lands, and some private land;
Gila National Wilderness is to the north.
a four bedroom house, a one-room adobe bunkhouse, and a small barn and corral;
camping and kitchen facilities for group use; solar power
water: 4 well permits, several springs, irrigation rights from Bear Creek
which flows 2 miles through the property year-round, and a swimming hole, of course.
Silver City Chamber of Commerce, 1-800-548-9378, provides information about the mild climate,
medical facilities, Grant County airport, Western New Mexico University, museums, and area attractions.

Join us in Community:

Do you want to come for a visit?
Do you have a skill to share?
Do you want to enjoy the camaraderie of a camp?
Do you want to be a resident?
Will you take on a piece of the challenge to help this happen?
Will you help us complete the purchase of the Bear Creek land?
We welcome your support and participation.
Let us know your interests.

Help us:

restore and preserve ecologically important land, a resource for plants, animals and people
educate ourselves and others in the harmonious interaction and
interrelationship of all of life
work cooperatively and collectively, as all people must learn to do
hold an inclusive view, a global perspective, affirming the common ground
that underlies differences and distinctions
honor the sacred traditions of the world

Join us as a Member Donor

Those who resonate with our guiding vision and who are associated with an inclusive spiritual path are welcome to be members of the Southwest Sufi Community. Member Donors vote for directors, as specified in the SSC bylaws, and receive various discounts and benefits.

Be a Friend of the Southwest Sufi Community

Hundreds of people have donated money to help purchase this land. Your tax deductible contribution is a gift to present and future generations. All Friends of the SSC are welcome as visitors to the land. Inquire about reservations. Our newsletter will keep you informed of events.

Be a Special Benefactor

Perhaps you are someone, or know someone, who would like to invest in this project by lending or donating a sum of money. Please share this information with them, or tell us how we might contact them.

General Information :
Azima Lila Forest
Spiritual Director, SSC
907 West St
Silver City, NM 88061
azima@zianet.com

Spiritual Protector:
Shabda Kahn
shabda@marinsufis.com

For information on upcoming Voice of the Turtle Retreat Center camps, and other events and activities
see www.southwestsuficommunity.org