As we officially return to multi-day gatherings at the Astana, the Inayatiyya’s headquarters in Richmond, Virginia, we invite you to come together with Pir Zia and many friends for three days of teachings, practices, music, spiritual conversation, zikr, tea and sweets. 

There is no set theme—only where inner guidance might take us. We have space for 50 people in person in Richmond, and for the multitudes of us online. 

We will begin on Thursday, May 25th, at 7:30 pm ET, and go until Sunday, May 28th at 12:30 pm ET. Please note that Monday, May 29th is a legal holiday (Memorial Day) in the United States and that the Astana will be closed. We are aiming for ease in travel by beginning and ending outside the typical travel days for the holiday weekend.  

Tuition is $285 to participate in person and includes two community meals as well as tea and snacks throughout the program. If you plan to join us online, tuition is $185.

Video will be provided to all who register in advance and posted by the end of each day. Evening programs will not be livestreamed or provided as video recordings. 

If you have questions about our gathering and/or would like to request a discount, please email us at astana@inayatiyya.org. Our current Covid policy is shared below. 

BIOGRAPHY

Pir Zia Inayat Khan, Ph.D., is a scholar of religion and teacher of Sufism in the universalist Sufi lineage of his grandfather, Hazrat Inayat Khan. Pir Zia is president of the Inayatiyya and founder of Sulūk Academy, a school of Sufi contemplative study and practice. He is author of Immortality: A Traveler’s Guide; Dream Flowers: The Collected Works of Noor Inayat Khan with a Critical Commentary by Pir Zia Inayat Khan; Mingled Waters: Sufism and the Mystical Unity of Religions; and Saracen Chivalry: Counsels on Valor, Generosity and the Mystical Quest. He is editor of Caravan of Souls: An Introduction to the Sufi Path of Hazrat Inayat Khan and A Pearl in Wine: Essays in the Life, Music and Sufism of Hazrat Inayat Khan. Pir Zia divides his time between Richmond, Virginia and Suresnes, France.

SUFI TEACHINGS & SUHBAT SCHEDULE

Times listed are for Eastern Daylight Time (New York), and Central European Time (Paris). Otherwise, please use timeanddate.com to convert times for your time zone.

EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME

Thursday, May 25th, 2023

3:00 pm – 7:30 pm ET Check-in at Astana 
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm ET Zikr & Dessert 

Friday, May 26th, 2023 

9:00 am – 9:30 am ET Astana Doors Open
9:30 am – 10:45 am ET Teachings & Practices w/ Pir Zia 
10:45 am – 11:15 am ET Tea Break
11:15 am – 12:30 pm ET Teachings & Practices w/ Pir Zia
12:30 pm – 3:00 pm ET Lunch at the Astana
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET Suhbat w/ Pir Zia & Friends
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm ET Free Evening in Richmond

Saturday, May 27th, 2023 

9:00 am – 9:30 am ET Astana Doors Open
9:30 am – 10:45 am ET Teachings & Practices w/ Pir Zia 
10:45 am – 11:15 am ET Tea Break
11:15 am – 12:30 pm ET Teachings & Practices w/ Pir Zia
12:30 pm – 3:00 pm ET Lunch Break
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET Suhbat w/ Pir Zia & Friends
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET Community Dinner

Sunday, May 28th, 2023 

9:00 am – 9:30 am ET Astana Doors Open
9:30 am – 10:45 am ET Teachings & Practices w/ Pir Zia 
10:45 am – 11:15 am ET Tea Break
11:15 am – 12:30 pm ET Suhbat w/ Pir Zia & Friends

CENTRAL EUROPEAN TIME

Thursday, May 25th, 2023

9:00 pm – 1:30 am CET Check-in at Astana 
1:30 am– 3:30 am CET Zikr & Dessert 

Friday, May 26th, 2023 

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm CET Astana Doors Open
3:30 pm – 4:45 pm CET Teachings & Practices w/ Pir Zia 
4:45 pm – 5:15 pm CET Tea Break
5:15 pm – 6:30 pm CET Teachings & Practices w/ Pir Zia
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm CET Lunch Break
9:00 pm – 11:00 pm CET Suhbat w/ Pir Zia & Friends
12:30 am – 3:00 am CET Community Dinner

Saturday, May 27th, 2023 

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm CET Astana Doors Open
3:30 pm – 4:45 pm CET Teachings & Practices w/ Pir Zia 
4:45 pm – 5:15 pm CET Tea Break
5:15 pm – 6:30 pm CET Teachings & Practices w/ Pir Zia
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm CET Lunch Break
9:00 pm – 11:00 pm CET Suhbat w/ Pir Zia & Friends
12:30 am – 3:00 am CET Community Dinner

Sunday, May 28th, 2023 

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm CET Astana Doors Open
3:30 pm – 4:45 pm CET Teachings & Practices w/ Pir Zia 
4:45 pm – 5:15 pm CET Tea Break
5:15 pm – 6:30 pm CET Suhbat w/ Pir Zia & Friends

TRAVEL PLANNING

Please visit our recently updated Astana RVA Web Page for details on Travel, Accommodations, and Food & Meals near the Astana. If you hope to join us, we recommend that you secure your housing and finalize travel details as soon as possible.

For this event, there is a special discount at both of the following hotels:

The Holiday Inn Express is right across the street from the Astana. A special rate of $139/night plus tax is available if reserved by May 11, 2023. Please contact the hotel directly at 807-788-1600 and request a reservation with the Inayatiyya Group. You can also register online at hieexpress.com/richmonddtwn. Enter the dates and click on group rates. Enter INA in the group field. Parking under the building is $10 per day.

The Graduate Hotel is a few blocks away and is offering a special rate of $229/night plus tax. Please call (804) 644-9871 and mention the name Inayatiyya.

ASTANA COVID POLICY 2023

The Astana is pleased to once again host in-person classes and programs in 2023. As we continue to follow CDC guidelines, we will not require wearing a mask or vaccination to attend Astana gatherings. We welcome your wearing a mask and/or taking other precautionary measures as needed. We ask that if you have any signs of illness, or if you have been exposed to Covid within 10 days of a program, that you forgo coming to Astana events. We will continue to monitor community levels and update our policy to meet current needs. The health and welfare of our community remains our top priority. If you have questions about the Astana’s Covid Policy, please email us at astana@inayatiyya.org.

CANCELLATION POLICY

We accept cancellations (minus a $50 processing fee) through Friday, May 5, 2023. After this date, we accept cancellations (50% refund) through Wednesday, May 24, 2023. With limited space to hold guests, we appreciate your understanding the importance of this policy.

GLOBAL DISCOUNT INFORMATION

DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE FROM PARTICULAR NATIONS DUE TO CURRENCY VALUATION. THESE NATIONS LISTED INCLUDE CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, TURKEY AND PAKISTAN. IF YOUR NATION IS LISTED, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR DETAILS. IF YOU FEEL YOUR NATION SHOULD BE LISTED, PLEASE EMAIL ASTANA@INAYATIYYA.ORG.