( ENSPIRE Mind, Body & Soul ) 3 Day Conference “Recreating Lives In Love”
ENSPIRE Contributor: Gabrielle Maya
Entering the Holy of Holies, An Institute of Learning and Healing, Inc. (ETHOH) is founded by CEO Reverend Nafisa Sharriff. Entering the Holy of Holies is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization that helps individuals balance mind, body, and spirit through the power of meditation, healing, and spiritual tools for transformation. They celebrated their 20th Anniversary with a Three-Day Conference called “Recreating Lives In Love,” which was held Oct 25-27, 2024. This exciting event had a unique blend of meditation workshops, African dance masterclasses, holistic healing sessions, and a vendor village to explore. The three-day conference was held at the Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture. The first day of the conference (Oct. 25) commemorated the life and legacy of New York State Assembly Member Inez E. Dickens. The event included a photo gallery showcasing the 20 years of success of helping others in Harlem, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Followed by a video retrospective display.
The Holy of Hollies brought movement on October 26, where they had African, Fusion, and Funkmaster dance classes held at The Gibney: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center with instructors: Pat Mabry, Maguette Camara, Darian M. Parker, Crystal Harrison, Daaimah Taalib-Din and Reverend Nafisa Sharriff herself. Oct 27, ended with meditation practices and interactive sessions, will experience mental health empowerment, yoga, aromatherapy, sound therapy, and massage. Instructors include Reverend Nafisa Sharriff, who went over meditation fundamentals, then yoga instructor Dr. Aminata (Amikole) Maraesa, mental health instruction and suicide prevention from Dionne C. Monsanto, Deidre A. Johnson, a licensed physical and massage Therapist, Beverly Aminata Spencer’s MASS – Meditation Aromatherapy Sound Session.
For more details, Reverand Nafisa Sharriff shares the ETHOH’s impact on the community, including the experience held at the Three-Day conference. She also discusses how African dance connects with the mission of fostering inner peace and holistic healing sessions. In addition, Sharriff dives into the success of “Recreating Lives in Love,” how it resonated with all the participants, and what ongoing programs and resources are available.
Entering the Holy of Holies has reached a significant milestone. Please share some of the most impactful moments you’ve witnessed from the organization’s work over the past two decades. How has ETHOH brought the community together?
The single most impactful moment we’ve witnessed repeatedly over the past two decades is the healing of the heart and the transformation of people and their families who have participated in our programs for generations now. Using Meditation Classes and Workshops, West African dance, music and folklore, Retreats, a Woman’s Rite of Passage, Seasonal Cleanses, and various Spirit, Mind, and Body healing modalities, we have assisted thousands of people to unblock their potential, reach their goals and create the life of their dreams by releasing stress, fear, anxiety, and pain, which allows them to live a balanced, peaceful and joyful life.
Entering the Holy of Holies brings people together by presenting forums where people feel welcomed, safe, and encouraged to participate regardless of color, culture, class, or creed. This is most demonstrated in our programs that honor both Movement and Meditation: Dancing in the Park, Dancing Into Spring, and Dancing Into the Light. These programs celebrate community, diversity, culture, and healing.
Please elaborate on the different experiences offered at the conference. How does the combination of dance, meditation, holistic healing sessions, and mental health discussions create a well-rounded approach to personal growth?
The different experiences offered at Entering the Holy of Holies’ 20th Anniversary Retrospective Three-Day Conference included:
All-day interactive instruction from various holistic practitioners who shared various ways people can incorporate wellness and balance in their lives.
- A testimonial video from people sharing how ETHOH has inspired and/or changed their lives.
- A Photo Gallery of past pictures depicting the community we serve at various events.
- All-day West African Dance Classes and Community Vendors selling a variety of products.
- All-day interactive instruction from various holistic practitioners who shared various ways people can incorporate wellness and balance in their lives.
The combination of dance, meditation, holistic healing sessions, etc., creates a well-rounded approach not only to personal growth but to LIFE itself. People are more centered, balanced, grounded, and in touch with their feelings. They have learned to embrace their “humanness” and to remove the guilt, shame, and stigmas often associated with judgment, criticism, and outrageous expectations. They are more honest with themselves and others and have learned to speak their Truth and “respond” versus “react” to life’s various circumstances and make choices that serve their Highest Good and the good of those around them.
ETHOH offers African dance classes as one of its services. This element was introduced at the Recreating Lives In Love Conference. Was there a specific intention for including it, and how does it connect with your mission of fostering inner peace and spiritual development?
African dance, music, and culture have been a part of Entering the Holy of Holies, An Institute of Learning and Healing, Inc., since before its incorporation in 2004. It was not introduced at our Retrospective Three-Day Conference but has been the catalyst and connecting tissue between the West African dance world and the Meditation/Healing world for over 20 years.
People feel “good” in our West African dance classes. They are welcomed with a hug and a smile and know they are accepted, whether a beginner or a seasoned dancer. They are encouraged to do their best simply and are inspired to return again and again and again. Every class ends with a meditation and relaxation segment that fosters inner peace and self-acceptance. Learning a simple breathing technique to help people quiet their minds, relax their bodies, and open their hearts is something they can take away with them and integrate into their lives, family, and community.
Looking back at the success of the “Recreating Lives in Love” conference, what resonated most with your attendees? Did specific workshops, speakers or activities generate a particularly positive response?
Everything resonated with people in our Recreating Lives In Love Conference!
On Friday Night, people were greeted with a seven-minute video about what Entering the Holy of Holies is and the profound work we have accomplished over the past 20+ years. They listened intently as a libation was poured for our ancestors and to various Guest Speakers who spoke from a leadership position about the community classes we have provided and their impact on the people in their programs and how our work impacted their lives. You could hear a pin drop when Honorable Assembly Member Inez E. Dickens spoke for 15 minutes, and the joy abounded when we danced her off the stage at the Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture with LIVE African drums and dancers.
Throughout the day on Saturday, people could not get their money out fast enough to pay for one of the AMAZING West African dance classes offered by six (6) uniquely gifted dance instructors (including yours truly! smile). The Vendor Village was a particular treat! People sold everything from baked goods to holistic bath & beauty products to African books, clothing, jewelry, etc.
Sunday rounded out the Recreating Lives In Love Conference beautifully with a combination of instruction and participation. All the Wholistic Presenters interacted directly with the participants and continued creating community amongst strangers. We ended the Conference on Sunday the way we began it on Friday with traditional West African dancing and drumming from the Old Malian Empire. We created what is known as “the bantaba” or “dancing circle,” and everyone had an opportunity to enter the circle and express themselves through movement freely and joyfully!
Does ETHOH offer ongoing programs or resources for those seeking to continue their journey of self-discovery and well-being after the conference?
Yes! Entering the Holy of Holies, Inc. started the New Year with a five-day Detox and is offering the following programs and resources throughout 2025 for those seeking to continue their healing and self-discovery journey:
- FREE! Morning Meditation: Mon, Wed, Fri on Facebook and Instagram.
- FREE! Monthly Meditation on the ETHOH website (www.ethoh.org) 24 hours a day.
- Eight-Week Meditation Transformational Workshops for beginners and advanced students.
- Four Seasonal Cleanses that uniquely honor the change of season.
- West African Dance Classes: Dancing In the Park (summer) and Dancing Into the Light (winter).
- An Introduction Class On Chakras: The seven main energy centers of the body.
“We believe that world peace is possible and that it must first be inspired, nurtured, and developed within each individual before we see it on a global scale,” said Reverend Nafisia Sharriff. The “Recreating Lives In Love” Conference offered an exploration of growth for many to cultivate inner peace and find a supportive community for all. For more information on ETHOTH and the dance lessons, meditation practices, and workshops they offer, visit https://ethoh.org/. You can view their services and 2025 events and programs here.
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