Wisdom of the Heart Egypt Pilgrimage
Heart of the Nile to the Heart of the Sinai
September 21 – October 4, 2008

 21/9 – Arrival in the Heart of Egypt- Cairo - Be warmly welcomed with open arms at Cairo Airport. Learn about your fellow pilgrims and guides through introductions in the gardens of our beautiful hotel. Our hotel for the next two nights overlooks the magnificent pyramids. What lured our hearts to this time and place?  o/n Movenpick Pyramids Hotel

 22/9 – Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum- the Heart’s Beginnings as the Space of the Divine - Stand in awe and wonder at one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, the great Pyramids, and listen to its mysteries by a renowned Egyptologist. A fabulous falafel lunch in the heart of Cairo is followed by a visit to the world-famous Egyptian Museum.  Here we discover why the human heart remained in the mummies and how death masks were the beacons to bring the spiritual heart back home. To gaze into the eyes upon a painted death portrait was to gaze into the very heart and soul of that person. What does our heart reveal through our gaze and what is it we see?  o/n Movenpick Pyramids Hotel

 23/9 - Aswan and the Nile - The Heart of Egyptian Civilization – Be mesmerized as we see the very heart of Egypt pulsating its life giving waters through the desert sands. The Nile has long been the source of life in Egypt, bringing the spring floods in a desert region to provide for agriculture. We fly this day to Aswan, the southern-most Egyptian city with an African atmosphere, enriched by Nubian culture and a vibrant marketplace.
 Sailing to the Island of Philae, the temples which were dismantled and moved to this higher ground after the construction of the Aswan dam, we walk among the sacred temples where many ancient pilgrims came to worship the goddess Isis until the 6th century. 
 We hear about the heart of Egyptian mythology, the story of Isis, Osiris, and their son Horus and discover the similar threads with the Christian story of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. The temple was also used as an early place of Christian worship and gives us evidence of ways Christians defaced and destroyed symbols of prior religions yet also incorporated these very rituals and symbols into the new worship. We wonder how we approach others who hold different beliefs in God and how our own faith has changed over time. How has our image of God changed? What symbols are important to us?
Before we board the Cruise Ship, we will sail on the Nile in a felucca, a sailboat powered by wind, to see Kitchener’s Island, the Agha Khan Mausoleum and the effects of the Nubian culture on this region.  We may ponder the question of “What is the source of life for me?” o/n – 5 star Nile Cruise Ship

24/9 - Sailing to Kom Ombo- Temples and Bodies-the Source of Structure for the Heart - Enjoy a lingering Nile cruise to let the body rest - We sail to Kom Ombo, site of the Temple of the gods Sobek and Horus. Remaining pillars and walls give us a sense of the decorated chapels, hypostyle halls and vestibules that once were a spectacle of beauty. Remnants of sophisticated medical instrumentation and knowledge give us insight into a culture that was advanced scientifically while simultaneously believing in the power of gods. As we wander this temple, we ponder, “Is my body a temple for the Holy? What if we saw each other as temples and approached one another with reverence? o/n – 5 star Nile Cruise Ship

25/9 – Temple of Edfu - A Buried Heart - Covering the Source of Light in Sand: Be surprised at the marvels of hidden treasures - This morning we visit Edfu to see the Temple of Horus, the largest temple after Karnak. Buried in sand until the 1860’s, the temple inscriptions highlight the fight of Horus and his uncle Seth for control of the world. This well-preserved, immense structure, features colonnades, a façade and many statues. Walking towards the Holy of Holies, we enter the heart of the temple. Standing in this massive space, we may question; “How could such an immense and beautiful structure have been completely buried for so long?  What is buried in my own heart that needs to be uncovered and its treasures revealed to the greater world?” “What needs to come into the light of day?” As we sail to Luxor this evening we enjoy a Nile Cruise Celebration with traditional music and dance - o/n – 5 star Nile Cruise Ship

 26/9 - Luxor and Karnak- The Evolving Heart: Learn about the wisdom of ancient Egypt. We visit the Valley of the Kings and Queens, where royalty decorated the walls of their tombs with elaborate drawings and texts to make their path to eternal life accessible. We learn how the heart was a key element in both this and the after life. The heart, like a compass, gave a person direction in life. Enjoyment was closely tied to the sensations and emotions of the body. Following one's heart meant living a full life: The west seeks to hide (death and that which is forgotten about self) from him who follows his heart. The heart is a god, the stomach is its shrine. (The inscription of Nebneteru, High Priest of Amun under Sety I, 1295 BCE).
 One of the most remarkable of prehistoric human achievements was the ability to work with stone on a seemingly gigantic and effortless scale revealing the presence of a sophisticated and complex people. This shows an extraordinary understanding and wisdom of the seen and unseen worlds and continues to have relevance for us today.
 The Temple of Hatshepsut located nearby is a phenomenal monument built into the side of a mountain and dedicated to one of the greatest women in Egyptian history. 
 Moving into Luxor, we walk through the Temple of Karnack, the largest worship structure from the Pharaonic era. Massive pillars, colonnades, a lake, numerous statues to adorn the entrance way and obelisks indicate how several rulers added to this site to make a majestic temple to the gods for the people. The Temple of Luxor now stands around a worshipping mosque demonstrating how this land has integrated many ways to worship the divine over the years of history.
 We continue to the Colossi of Memnon, two separate giant statues each carved from a single stone. After an earthquake in 27 BC, part of the northern colossus collapsed and from then on each morning at sunrise, the statue produced a musical sound. People came as pilgrims to hear the singing to the rising sun. The stones became silent when they were attempted to be restored.
 During this day as we have gazed upon numerous stone statues and temples, we may ponder upon the phrase in the Bible, “You are living stones used to build a spiritual house.” o/n Luxor

 27/9 - Sinai Desert – Heart of the Cosmos: Live passionately! We leave the continent of Africa to fly to the continent of Asia, landing at Sharm El Sheik.  We drive into the Heart of the Sinai desert to spend our first night under a 5 billion star hotel.  During our night under the stars we will be guided in a meditation that invites us to experience the heart of the cosmos by looking “down at the stars” and feeling the speed in which we sail through space on this planet earth. o/n the desert

 28/9 – Sinai Desert – Heart of Silence: Press the world’s pause button to take time and let the soul catch up. The day is spent slowly, slowly with a camel trek through the desert. As we pause in the shade for rest we learn about the ancient traditions of the early 3rd and 4th century Desert Fathers and Mothers. We suspend thought and judgment and let only our own questions bubble within us during our time in the desert. o/n the desert

 29/9 – Sinai Desert – Prayer of the Heart: Rediscover two ancient spiritual tools for modern-day transformation: “Solvitur ambulando…” It is solved by walking…St. Augustine. We will meditatively walk the desert land with a few pebbles in our pockets similar to the 3rd and 4th century Desert Fathers and Mothers. During this time we learn the ancient but powerful Prayer of the Heart creating our own prayer of the heart. o/n desert sands

 30/9 – St. Catherine’s Monastery – The Heart of Heaven -Feast the eyes upon ancient icons many from the early 6th – 8th centuries. We leave the desert and head towards the 6th century monastery, St Catherine’s, at the base of Mount Sinai, the Mount of Moses. Icons are considered visual prayer. They invite the viewer to gaze at it as the window into the heart of the heavens and as a mirror into the soul.  Some are moved to tears, others are left in awe of the beauty and many wonder “what is the greatest icon?” The evening is free for rest. o/n St. Catherine’s Monstery

 1/10 – St. Catherine’s Monastery – Sinai’s Heart - Be exhilarated this day by climbing Mt. Sinai. We begin our journey ascending the mountain in the early hours of the day.  In the darkness we walk in silence and arrive at the way station, “Camelot”, for tea, breakfast and to marvel at the sun rising over the desert landscape. Along the way we hear of the Biblical stories saturating this mountain. At the peak we gather to celebrate and linger in quiet reflection as we gaze upon the stark mountainous landscape. What captured our hearts this day and the words “blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God?” o/n St Catherine’s Monastery

 2/10 – Red Sea – From the Heart to the heart - Celebrate life and this amazing journey you have just made – Following the Exodus route we end our days at Nuweiba on the Red Sea for a day of rest and relaxation.  Nuweiba, which means "bubbling springs" in Arabic, is a 7-km long town stretched along the Aqaba coast of the Sinai Red Sea. This is a wonderful opportunity to just linger on a beach chair or go snorkeling among the many clown fish and coral reefs. 
Later in the evening we celebrate our time as a community and ponder upon the many gifts received. o/n Helnan Hotel

 3/10 – Drive to Cairo – Coming Home to the Heart – Be Amazed at not only the land traversed within Egyptian history, culture and wisdom sources from all the faith traditions but also at the land traversed within your own heart.
 Looking at the heart wisdom of the ages and our current interpretations, we ponder the threads that bind us together. Returning to home, we transition back to the demands and lifestyle that we left, entering with a new sense of compassion and insight. We reflect on the spiritual tools we have learned in our group time and how we can integrate these practices into our ordinary routines. May the memories of the people and place continue to inform our hearts, form our journey into the everyday, and transform the life of our spirit into one of greater compassion and wisdom.  o/n Novotel Hotel
   
4/10 – Departures – Blessed Travels Home

We travel as a pilgrimage community surrounding all our days with prayer and meditations appropriate to the site.  The program has been structured to allow for a gentle rhythm of teachings, reflection and quiet time, celebrations and free time.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Camel trek and sunrise climb up Mt. Sinai
•  Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor
• A Five-Billion Star accommodation – the soft sands of the
   Sinai Desert
• Authentic daily bread baked as in ancient times
• Rest and relaxation at the Red Sea
•  Dr. Rabia – the Jewel of the Sinai
• Daily guided meditations as practiced by the early Christian Desert Fathers and Mothers to discover “soul-making”
•  Learning the Wisdom traditions of the Heart from the ancient Egyptian, Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths.
•  Optional visit to Abu Simbel  ***
  *** The optional visit to Abu Simbel is for an additional $275.  Departure is on a 6:00 am flight from Cairo to Abu Simbel with a return to Aswan later that afternoon to reconnect with the pilgrimage group.  Please note this is separate from the pilgrimage and participants will need to sign disclaimer forms for liability release.  A tour guide is provided for Abu Simbel.

Your Guides:
Dr. Rabia, resident of Cairo and a partner of Abanoub Travel, specializes in journeys to the Sinai Desert and has been leading groups for over 15 years. He left the field of medicine to follow this passion. 

Regina Roman is founder and director of Sapira, an educational and spiritual resource organization for pilgrimages to New Mexico, Ireland, France and Egypt. In addition, Regina is an experienced and certified Spiritual Director following in the paths of the desert Fathers and Mothers in Wisdom of the Deep Heart.

Marcus Losack is founder and director of Ceile De, an ecumenical organization in Ireland specializing in the development of study programs and pilgrimages in Celtic Spirituality. He has worked as an Anglican priest in the United Kingdom and Libya and as Course Director at St. George’s College in Jerusalem.

ALL-INCLUSIVE cost of $ 2,950  (does NOT include transportation to and from Cairo) includes: 13 nights of accommodations - 8 nights in 5 Star accommodations (double occupancy) in Cairo, Red Sea and the NILE CRUISE, all meals and bottled water, all land and air transportation within Egypt, pre-journey preparation materials, Master Guides for study programs, guided prayers and meditations appropriate to site, local resource guides such as Egyptologist, entrance fees (except entry into the Great Pyramid- optional if available), all tips, guided journal, and the most authentic cultural experience not offered by any tour organization.  NOT Included - personal expenses, required travel insurance, optional camel ride up Mt. Sinai and beverages. Single room rate supplement an additional $450.

Please visit www.sapira.com to register.  A Non-refundable Deposit of $500 due by April 15, 2008 - space limited.  Full Payment due by June 1.  Or call Angela or Regina at 703-535-1114.

Your Guides:

Marcus Losack is founder and Director of Ceile De, an ecumenical organization in Ireland specializing in the development of study programs and pilgrimages in Celtic Spirituality. He has worked as an Anglican priest in the United Kingdom and Libya.  Marcus is also author of the beautiful book, Glendalough, A Celtic Pilgrimage.  From his time as Course Director and Lecturer at St. George’s College in Jerusalem where he developed pilgrimages to the Holy Land and Egypt stems his love and particular interest of the relationship between Celtic Spirituality and the Desert Spiritual Tradition.

Regina Roman is founder and director of Sapira, Inc., an educational and spiritual resource organization for pilgrimages to New Mexico, Ireland and Egypt.  Study programs for each of these areas are offered by integrating the history, cultural and spiritual stories of the people and place. As an icon painter, Regina offers a unique perspective to icons, which originated in the Egyptian culture, as a window to the soul. She is co-author of Journey with Purpose, A Guided Journal to Discover Your Way.  In addition, Regina is an experienced Spiritual Director following in the paths of the Desert Mothers and Fathers and the Celtic soul-friend. 

Please visit www.sapira.com to register.  Deposit of $500 due by April 15, 2008 – space limited

"On earth we are but pilgrims"
— Teresa of Avila

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