An Introduction to the Inayatiyya Inner School
The Quest for Meaningfulness
A Four-Part Course
October 2nd – December 4th 2021
In this four-part course of introductory classes, we will explore some of the essential themes and aspects involved in entry into the Inayatiyya Inner School or, put differently, initiation as a student on the path, which is called a Murid. These include:
- the quest for meaningfulness
- the sacred relationship between the guide and murid
- the spiritual path
- unlearning and developing an ideal
- attuning to one’s own inner guidance
- the path of the heart
- practices of the Murid and initiation
The aim is to establish the primary foundations and transformations which occur within the Inner School of the Inayatiyya. Each session provides insight into the teachings of Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan and offers an understanding of what is involved when one becomes a murid in the Inner School of the Inayatiyya. The spiritual path of the Inner School shines a light which helps one navigate the waters of life, while the spiritual friendship between a murid and their guide creates a bridge for spiritual growth and the attainment of one’s highest ideal.
Besides presentation, we will share examples of the practices which are the spiritual nourishment of the seeker in the Inner School such as breath, sacred sound, inspiring phrases, light, energy, and divine emotion. There will be an opportunity for questions during each class.
The course will be led by an international group of senior Inner School Representatives and Coordinators from North America, the EU, and the UK.
All interested seekers are welcome. This course will be especially valuable to ashiqs and other new friends on the path interested in learning more about initiation.
Dates and themes are as follows:
- October 2 – The Quest for Meaningfulness and The Sacred Relationship of the Guide and Murid
- October 23 – Practices of the Murid and Initiation
- November 13 – Unlearning and The Spirit of Guidance
- December 4 – Prayer and the God Ideal
Please see the sidebar for the time in your local area.
Advance registration is required with the course offered on a sliding scale, with a recommended tuition of $60. You may participate in the course in real time or watch the videos as they are posted after each session.
If you have questions about the content of the course, please email innerschool@inayatiyya.org. Questions about registration, payments, and logistical details may be sent to astana@inayatiyya.org.
Date
- Dec 04 2021
- Expired!
Time
- 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Local Time
- Timezone: America/New_York
- Date: Dec 04 2021
- Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Cost
- Free - $60
Location
Organizer
Language: English, German, French, Turkish
Speakers
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Amatullah Fisher
Amatullah Fisher is a Representative in Training in the Inner School of the Inayatiyya, and a coordinator with a center in Nova Scotia, Canada, where she conducts study circles. An educator and counsellor by profession, she works in post-secondary education in the fields of health, human services, access, and language. She promotes equity, inclusion and conscious community through relationship to love harmony and beauty. She is a Naubahar graduate of Suluk Academy.
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Aziz Dikeulias
Aziz Dikeulias was born in Greece, moved to England at 17, and studied mathematics. While in university, he became very active in social justice struggles and started travelling. When he was 28, he reconnected with his spiritual tendencies and discovered (or was discovered by?) Universal Sufism. He started retreats in 1982 and his life was transformed. After much struggle and surrender, he found a lot of support and discovered Pir Vilayat. Afterwards, he went to Sufi Camp every summer, where he enjoyed sharing, dancing, singing, teaching and learning. After 40 years, Pir Vilayat is more present than ever in his consciousness. Aziz is very happy to walk on this endless path!
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Khaldun Michael Sturm
Khaldun Michael Sturm is currently serving as the Interim Director of the Abode of the Message in New Lebanon, NY. Khaldun is a Coordinator in the Inayatiyya, graduate of Suluk, and has led Message classes, Zikr, and other activities. He holds a graduate degree in Social Work from Columbia University and a B.A. in Religious Studies from Skidmore College. Khaldun enjoys writing and playing music, spending time in nature, and exploring creative expression through digital media.
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Akbar Appels
Akbar Appels has been on the Sufi path for more than 40 years and has a Inayatiyya Centre in Schilde near Antwerp, Belgium. Akbar is a retreat guide and mentor in the Suluk Academy.
http://inayatiorde.nl/centra/centrum-universel-schilde-vlaanderen/ -
Siddiqi Heather Johnson
Siddiqi Heather Johnson has been a student of Hazrat Inayat Khan for over 25 years and was Administrator of Suluk Academy in its early years. Originally from the US, she now lives in southwest Wales with her husband and three sons and is a counselor in private practice. She has recently started a new Inayatiyya group in southwest Wales and is currently in the leader’s training program.
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Widad Sabina Cox
Widad Sabina Cox is a Teacher and Guide in the Inayatiyya, first initiated in 1998.
Since 2017, she has been facilitating online Gathas and Githas classes with Naima Brown, Vice President of the Inner School. Widad recently started offering her first independent teaching series of Murshid’s Gatha transmissions on Breath and is deeply inspired to be of Service in this way. Widad hosts weekly online Animal and Nature Assisted Awakening Gatherings, in the Presence of a unique herd of horse beings who act as amplifiers of Presence. She follows a creative calling to weave the palpable Presence of the “Herd of Light” into her offerings in the Inayatiyya. She lives a nature-inspired life in Northern California, on the land with the Herd, and is a full-time caregiver for children and their families. oneherdoneheart.com -
Yaqin Aubert
Yaqin Joseph Aubert is the Vice President of the Inayatiyya and Director of the Pir Vilayat Center at the Abode of the Message in New Lebanon, New York. Yaqin has been studying Sufism for more than 40 years and is a senior teacher in the Order. He was a student of Pir Zia’s father, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan. Yaqin is a Cherag (minister) in the Universal Worship and has been a teacher within Suluk Academy. He is a founding member and former director of both the Abode of the Message and Mountain Road School, founded on the Abode’s grounds. Yaqin is a storyteller, retreat guide and leads group retreats and seminars in North America.
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Nizam un Nisa Ayeda Husain
Nizam un Nisa is a Shaykha, Cheraga, Guide, Representative and Facilitator of the Anjumani-Islam group in the Inayatiyya. A student of classical Chishti Sufism since 1988 and a devoted follower of the Inayatiyya since 2004, she has led Inayatiyya centers in Lahore, in Dubai and now in Oakville, Ontario where she lives. A journalist and editor by profession with an MA in Journalism/Near Eastern Studies from NYU, Nizam un Nisa is a graduate of the first European Suluk class, Knight of Purity, and mentor to the Naubahar Suluk class. She has led Sufi retreats, taught Sufi meditation to Buddhist monks in Tokyo and been invited to the UN as part of an international delegation of spiritual leaders. She is currently working on setting the Urdu poetry of Hazrat Inayat Khan to music.
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Naima Khabira Brown
Naima Khabira Brown teaches online Internationally offering Leaders Training Modules for the Inner School, Esoteric Classes and Retreats. She was initiated by Pir Vilayat and studies with Pir Zia. She served as Vice President of the Inner School for 6 years where among other responsibilities she directed and developed the new leaders training program. She is a founding mentor for Suluk Academy and has participated in many supportive roles since its inception in 2003. She is a member of the Esoteric Training Committee and a Center leader in the Boston area.
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Zumurrud Butta
Zumurrud Butta serves as Vice President of the Inner School of the Inayatiyya in Europe and leads the Inner School in Germany. She offers individual and group retreats and retreat guide training, has taught at Suluk Academy in North America and Europe and is serving on the Suluk Global Committee. Zumurrud teaches courses on Sufi mysticism in Europe and online, with a focus on the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan, Ibn ´Arabi and the female transmission of mysticism.
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Saki Lee
Saki Lee is a senior teacher and guide in the Inayatiyya and is a long time practitioner and wellness coach in East Asian medicine. Sacred music is her joy and delight, and she is a dance leader and mentor for the Dances of Universal Peace. In the Netherlands she co-hosts regular Music of Life programs featuring world music concerts as a way to inspire and awaken awareness of humankind’s oneness beyond boundaries of race, culture and religion.
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Farzana Dalila-Boyle
Farzana Dalila-Boyle has been on the endless path in the Inayatiyya for over 30 years. She serves as the UK Shefayat and as a representative in the UK Inner School. She has moved recently to Portugal, where she is leading solo and group retreats. She works a a transpersonal psychotherapist and combines different healing modalities, ceremonies and indigenous teachings in her work.. She is a retreat guide in the Inner School and on the retreat guide training with the Healing Activity in North America. The Dances of Universal Peace captured her heart for many decades and so she dances and is a certified leader in the dance network. Farzana is a mother and a grandmother. mariehelenedalilaboyle.com