Meet Jahanara
A few months before my fathers death, in the spring of my 22nd year and in the fertile soil of my fresh grief, my father planted a hard won seed by giving me a powerful benediction. Looking me straight in the eyes, his voice waivering from the heaviness of the emotion he was trying to navigate, he said, “Daughter, whatever you do, follow your bliss.” It sounds almost trite, all these years later, when these words have lost their power, but in that instant the helm of my life changed course and the moth of my spirit flew ever toward the light of Love. This is the moment when I shifted my allegiance away from the surface of life and toward the deep listening of the inner guidance that lives below, that flows inside, tuning my hearing, sight, and feelings toward this Holy Reality of Being. Bliss, as grace, is the sacred journey of nurturing from seed to flower our divine purposes in this life. This is the great and holy adventure of Becoming and what stirs my own deep curiosity and divine purpose.
Through music, storytelling, working with the hands and voice, exploring the mysticism of the Aramaic language, and gentle coaching, together we endeaver to court this velvety treasure, this pearl of great price that lives within each of us to rise to the surface. With the nearness and growing intimacy of this Inner Guidance, we strive to hear and feed the Music of Life, whose gentle ecstasy re-tunes our hearts to what is important, real, and in alignment with our truest nature.
I am fortunate to be called into service of this Guidance and of the Spirituality of Becoming, which constantly whispers to us and reminds us of our Source in Love. Through alliance with Sacred Creativity we journey toward recovering the fullness of our imagination, hearts and being, drawing the possibility for healing and wholeness closer. It would be my honor to serve you in this way as you awaken more and more fully into the bliss that enflames your unique heart and being.
Jahanara Laura Mangus is a guide, teacher and Sheikah in the Sufi Ruhaniat International, a longtime student of Bolad’s Kitchen (Martin Prechtel’s international school), and an international recording artist whose music has appeared in the movies: Argo and Son of Aram. Jahanara is a mother, daughter, sister, partner and 3rd generation Colorado native living in Boulder, CO. An artist in multiple mediums (textiles, metalwork, painting), Jahanara is also a storyteller, instrument maker, author and teacher.
Jahanara’s classes are an antidote to the pain of separation, fear, and anxiety/depression that so many of us suffer. Her teachings are like a thread that knits us back together, creating beauty, love, and connection with life. You will feel held in a way that allows your life force to stir and awaken you to your aliveness. You will grow the courage to hear more — and feel more — of the magic of life . . . to remember again and again. With gratitude and love, I wish for more seekers to allow their longing to land in the intricately woven nest of Jahanara’s teachings.
– Rebecca Juan, MA, LPC
My experience of being in Jahanara’s Daughters of the Ground circle is hard for me to put into words. This compelling journey turns me inside my skin like a slow spindle held by a wise and gentle hand. Through the magic in my hands, riddles and clues, songs and stories, Jahanara patiently shows our sister circle little ancestral fires that have gone cold and how to blow them back into life. In the tradition of her longtime teacher Martín Prechtel, she reminds our hearts minds and bones what it is to be human. I love this circle and count myself very blessed to have met Jahanara and been drawn to it. As the mystery continues to unfold into deeper and deeper places, I slowly get more present with the sacred ways of humans as part of the living world.
Karla Refoxo
Jahanara as a Spiritual Teacher and Guide has brought great guidance to my understanding of my personal path. She offers information and insight. She holds beautiful space through prayer, music, teaching and meditation. And very joyfully, she witnesses us in our states of growth, or awareness, grief, resistance. Through all this beautiful calming can occur. Jahanara is like a person drawing back the curtain to the circus of the spiritual world, watching your face beautifully as she sees your wonder.
