Summer Light Retreat: Embodying the Received Light
July 1-6 2026 | Edmonton, Alberta
Following the profound spiritual experiences of Dhul Hijjah and Eid al-Adha, this retreat offers a sacred pause for integration. The themes of sacrifice, surrender, and renewed devotion you witnessed or embodied during the holy days now need time to settle into your being. How do these lessons transform your daily practice of caregiving? This sanctuary helps you weave the blessings of the pilgrimage season into lasting, embodied wisdom.
The Light After Surrender
You have navigated the profound depths of Dhul Hijjah, a time of sacred remembrance and surrender. You understand the weight of offering, yet now may wonder: How do I carry the light of that experience back into my daily life of service?
The gentle fatigue after spiritual intensity. The sense of holding a sacred insight that seeks integration. The longing to translate the profound trust (tawakkul) you touched into a tangible, enduring peace. These are not signs of disconnect. They are signs you are ready to embody the wisdom received—the divine light (Fidyah) that follows sincere offering.
This retreat is your sacred integration. A container to receive, ground, and embody the luminous wisdom of Dhul Hijjah, weaving it into a sustainable resilience that illuminates your path of service.
The Summer Sanctuary: Embodying the Received Light
The "Summer Light" retreat is founded on the principle of Tajalli (divine manifestation). Following the sacred surrender of Dhul Hijjah, we contemplate the profound exchange in the story of Ibrahim (AS): the act of offering and the divine light (Fidyah) that replaced it. This retreat explores what it means to receive and embody that light in your own life of service.
We focus on integration and embodiment. What wisdom, strength, or clarity has emerged in the space created by your sincere offering? Through contemplative practice and somatic awareness, we help you identify this "received light" and weave it into the fabric of your being. This process transforms the lesson of surrender into a tangible, luminous resilience that illuminates your daily path.
Held in the expansive days of midsummer, this retreat provides the structured container for this deep integration. We create a nourishing space to gently land after the holy days, using guided reflection and healing practices to help you anchor the trust (tawakkul) you cultivated and fully receive its gifts.
This is about completing the sacred cycle: from intention to surrender to received blessing. It is about learning to carry the light of faith not as a fleeting insight, but as an embodied truth that guides your service, enabling you to lead and heal from a place of illuminated wisdom and enduring peace.
"This retreat is the sacred integration that allows caregivers to embody the light received after sincere surrender, weaving the wisdom of Dhul Hijjah into a luminous and sustainable resilience for their path of service."
A Synthesis of Spiritual Wisdom and Holistic Healing Practice
This is a professional development intervention, a modern Itikaf (spiritual seclusion) designed specifically for caregiving professionals integrating the lessons of Dhul Hijjah.
What Makes This Retreat Different
While many programs focus on preparation, the Summer Light Retreat focuses on the spiritual embodiment that follows sincere surrender. We help you integrate the profound lessons of Dhul Hijjah by exploring the divine exchange in the story of Ibrahim (AS). Our methodology weaves this narrative of received light with somatic healing, creating a culturally competent container to embody wisdom, anchor deep trust (tawakkul), and cultivate a luminous resilience for sustainable service.
Illuminated Reflection
Grounding in the spiritual principles of Grace, Illumination, and Abundance that follow surrender. Includes reflective dialogue, Dhikr, and practices to identify and integrate the wisdom and "light" received during the sacred days into your consciousness.
Integrate the wisdom received. Anchor the light within.
Embodied Illumination
Utilizing gentle, integrative healing practices to help your nervous system and body somatically embody the peace and trust cultivated during Dhul Hijjah. This process translates spiritual insight into physical ease and a grounded, radiant presence.
Embody spiritual peace. Carry a grounded light.
Receptive Trust
A specialized 3 hour Equine Gestalt Coaching session facilitated in partnership with Equine Reflections. Horses mirror our internal states, offering profound non verbal insight into the dynamics of receptivity, trust in support, and the graceful acceptance of what has been given.
Practice graceful receptivity. Deepen trust in support.
Luminous Rhythm
A sacred rhythm of silence, reflection, and guided practice designed for deep integration. Five days of intentional seclusion to weave the embodied lessons of trust and received light into a sustainable, luminous practice for your ongoing journey of service.
Weave light into your rhythm. Walk forward illuminated.
Designed for Those Who Serve
This retreat is specifically structured for professionals in high-stress caregiving roles
Military & Hospital Chaplains
Providing spiritual care in crisis, trauma, and end-of-life situations
First Responders
Police, fire, paramedics carrying the weight of emergency response
Healthcare Professionals
Nurses, doctors, therapists bearing witness to suffering daily
Clergy & Spiritual Leaders
Ministers, priests, imams holding sacred space for their communities
Non-Profit Leaders
Social workers, advocates, and humanitarian workers
Educators & Counselors
Those supporting vulnerable populations through trauma and transition
The 5-Day Sanctuary Experience
A comprehensive professional development investment in your resilience
Your Personalized Retreat Includes:
Pre-Retreat Intention Setting
A 75-minute consultation to customize the retreat around your specific needs, stressors, and professional context
5 Days of Fully-Facilitated Retreat
Daily spiritual practice, mind-body integration sessions, spiritual dialogue, and structured reflection time
Private Sanctuary & Accommodation
A quiet, dedicated space for your seclusion, rest, and restoration in Edmonton, Alberta
Specialized Equine Gestalt Session
3-hour experiential coaching session facilitated in partnership with Equine Reflections
Post-Retreat Integration Plan
Personalized practice plan and curated resource package to ensure benefits continue long after you return home
Professional Development Investment
$1,960 CAD
This is a targeted professional intervention and prices can vary due to individual needs. It is an investment in your resilience is an investment in your mission and those you serve.
Build Your Own Retreat
Design a retreat that fits your needs and budget. Choose your duration (3-5 days) and add optional experiences to create your perfect sanctuary experience.
Retreat Duration
Select 3-5 days for your retreat experience.
Core Retreat Components
These essential elements are included in every retreat.
Optional Add-Ons
Enhance your retreat with these healing modalities and nourishments.
Your Retreat Summary
Total Investment
$0 CAD
Your 2026 Sanctuary Dates
Each retreat carries a unique seasonal theme. Find the one that calls to you.
Winter Immersion
February 11-16, 2026
Sacred preparation in the final days before Ramadan
Explore This Retreat →Spring Renewal
April 1-6, 2026
Grounding Ramadan's spiritual ascent into daily resilience
Explore This Retreat →Spring Emergence
May 13-18, 2026
Preparing our hearts for Dhul Hijjah's themes of sacrifice & service
Explore This Retreat →Summer Light
July 1-6, 2026
Embodying Dhul Hijjah's lessons and the received light
You Are HereAutumn Reflection
September 2-7, 2026
Reflecting on the Prophet's ﷺ example of compassionate service
Explore This Retreat →Autumn Harvest
September 30-October 5, 2026
Harvesting prophetic wisdom ﷺ for our caregiving journey
Explore This Retreat →Questions You May Hold
Clarity for your journey to sacred pause and renewal.
The retreat takes place in a private, serene sanctuary in Edmonton, Alberta. Accommodations are provided in a dedicated local zawiyah space or carefully selected Airbnb, ensuring a quiet environment conducive to spiritual seclusion. Your space includes a private room for rest, prayer, and contemplation.
This is designed as a true itikaf (spiritual seclusion) experience. We request no phones, internet, or external connections except for emergencies. This digital detox allows for deep immersion in your spiritual practice and relationship with Allah. Emergency contact information will be provided.
After your initial consultation, each day begins with morning practices, followed by personal reading and reflection. Your teacher will join for afternoon al-wird (dhikr) and check-in (2-3 hours total). Evenings include integration practices and night-time dhikr. You'll have solitude overnight until the next evening session, with groceries or additional needs provided as required.
Yes, fasting is welcome and can be integrated into your retreat experience. You may also attend with a spouse, friend, or sibling—the space accommodates companions. The investment remains the same per person, as each receives personalized guidance and the retreat's full benefits.
The retreat focus is on spiritual seclusion and resilience building. Healing sessions are generally recommended after the retreat to support integration. However, we offer post-retreat check-ins to help anchor your insights and can arrange healing sessions afterward if needed.
Simple, nourishing provisions are provided (e.g., tea, basic staples). We encourage minimal sugar and light eating to support clarity and spiritual presence. Specific dietary needs can be accommodated—please discuss during your consultation.
Absolutely. This retreat meets you where you are. The practices are gently introduced and focus on universal spiritual principles—Compassion, Mercy, Peace—that resonate across traditions. Many caregivers arrive with little prior experience and find profound connection.
You'll receive a personalized Post-Retreat Integration Plan with practices and resources. Optional check-ins are available, and healing sessions can be scheduled to support your transition back to service. The goal is sustainable resilience that continues long after you return home.
Yes, we can arrange flexible payment plans. Please contact us directly at info@sufisoulgarden.com to discuss a schedule that works for you. All payment plans must be finalized at least 30 days prior to the retreat start date.
To honour the detailed planning and limited space for this sacred container, we have a compassionate credit-based policy:
- Deposits are non-refundable but fully transferable as service credit valid for 12 months.
- Remaining payments can be converted to credit up to 30 days before the retreat.
- Within 30 days, all payments are committed, except in cases of genuine emergency.
- Service credit can be used for any Sufi Soul Garden offering within one year.
The "Life Happens" Clause: We understand that genuine emergencies—health crises, family needs, or unexpected life events—occur. We approach every situation with sincerity and compassion, working with you in good faith to find a fair solution, which may include extending deadlines or offering partial credit.
For full details, please see our Terms & Conditions.
Carry the Light Forward
The profound trust (tawakkul) you touched and the divine light (Fidyah) you received during Dhul Hijjah are not meant to fade. They are gifts to be carried, embodied, and allowed to illuminate your path long after the holy days have passed.
The Summer Light Retreat is your sacred integration. A professional development investment to ground the wisdom of your spiritual ascent, somatically embody the peace of deep trust, and weave this luminous resilience into the very fabric of your daily service, allowing you to lead and heal from a place of enduring grace and illuminated wisdom.

