Welcome to ISLAMIC ILLUMINATIONS!

Salaam, one and all! We welcome you with heart-felt prayers for God's peace and mercy and blessings.

This blog is maintained for the readers of In the Light of a Blessed Tree, as well as for all those interested in the wider work of Dr. Timothy J. Gianotti: including the Islamic Institute for Spiritual Formation (IISF, Toronto), which he serves as the Director and Principal Teacher, the Studies in Islam program at Renison University College (University of Waterloo), where he serves as an Associate Professor, and the American Islamic College (Chicago), where he served as the Director of Islamic Studies (2013-2015).

Please stay tuned for new blog entries and announcements for new programs in Toronto and beyond!


New LIGHT UPON LIGHT this Friday!

THIS FRIDAY: "Tests and Trials" Revisited
October 2, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
lower level at the Noor Cultural Centre, 123 Wynford Drive map

This Friday will mark the revisiting of a favorite topic from the first season. As is often the case in our LUL gatherings, our evening of fellowship and discussion will arise from short yet evocative texts taken from the Qur'an, the prophetic traditions, from the writings of spiritual sages, and even from the sacred texts and spiritual writings of sister traditions.

NEXT TOPICS:

"Glimpses of the Religious Ideal: Spiritual Masters, Sages, and Other Friends of God in the Jewish and Islamic Traditions"
-- Friday, Nov. 6, 2009
"The Mysteries of Light and Darkness" -- Friday, Dec. 4, 2009

The Light Upon Light Spirituality Discussion Series features a variety of spiritually nourishing subjects in an inclusive space where participants of all faiths actively contribute in a manner that is respectful to all.

This series is led by Dr. Timothy Gianotti
2008-2010 Noor Fellow in Islamic Studies, York University
2007-2008 Noor Chair of Islamic Studies, York University


Light refreshments will be served. Admittance is $5.

Previous Topics:

Spiritual Knowledge / Love / Tests & Trials / Loving Universally while Living within Particularity (featuring the writings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook) / On the Importance of Being a Stranger in the World / Dreams, Death and the Journeys of the Spirit / On the Art of Being Grateful / The Importance of Solitude / Core Paradoxes: freedom in servitude, wealth in poverty, life in death, gaining by spending, spiritual advancement through sin / The World of the Unseen / Spiritual Storytelling / Being a Perpetual Beginner / The Poetry of Kabir / "with a little help from my friends..." The indispensability of community for walking the path to God / Rumi & the Wisdom of the Reed Flute /Spiritual Chivalry /