“Breath, to a Sufi, is a bridge between himself and God; it is a rope for him, hanging down to earth, attached to the heavens.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan
9 December 2025
Dear Friends,
If the mountaintop is the symbol of arrival, then the valley is the place of preparation. It is in the valley that the seeker learns humility, gentleness, and trust. Unlike the peak, which may be exalted and solitary, the valley is receptive. It gathers the waters, the winds, the echoes of things spoken and unspoken.
The valley teaches us how to receive.
In Sufi cosmology, valleys are associated not only with humility and inwardness, but with the element of air – that which moves subtly through all things. In the valley, air moves differently than it does on the open plain. It gathers, concentrates, swirls gently in quiet pockets and sudden gusts. It carries whispers from afar, and fragrance from what lies just beyond view.
It is said that the Prophet Muhammad received many revelations not in the high places, but in the stillness of valleys and caves – those places where the noise of the world falls away and only the breath of the Beloved remains.
In The Conference of the Birds, the seekers pass through many valleys – the Valley of Love, the Valley of Annihilation, the Valley of Bewilderment. Each valley is a landscape of the soul, a descent that leads, paradoxically, to elevation.
In the Inayatiyya, we honor the valley as a spiritual terrain – one that teaches stillness, surrender, and the sacred art of listening to what breath alone conveys.
This fall, as part of our landscape-themed campaign, we turn toward the valleys – those quiet sanctuaries of air and awakening, where the unseen winds of spirit gather strength. With your help, we are cultivating spaces that reflect the soul of the valley, as well as programs and teachings that offer depth and shelter for seekers navigating uncertainty.
Thank you to everyone who gave on Giving Tuesday. Because of your generosity, we’ve now raised $122,820 (61.4% towards our goal), a powerful wave of support that lifts us closer to our goal and strengthens the foundation of our work.
That momentum matters. It reminds us that this is not a journey we walk alone but a shared path walked by many. As more of us join in – whether through small or large gifts – we deepen our communal roots, and together make the valley a sanctuary of spirit for all who enter. If it is within your means, we warmly invite you to help us continue this momentum by contributing toward the remaining $77,180, bringing us step by step closer to completing this valley passage together.
Let us breathe together in the hidden hollows of the path. Let us listen, once more, for the wind that carries the Name.
With gratitude and deep breath,
Josh & Tajalli
on behalf of the Inayatiyya Fall Appeal 2025 Committee
Nazish Riaz, Board Chair | Ambreen Coombs, Treasurer | Nilufar Maryam Hasnaa, Board Member | Mika’il Petin, Executive Director | Tajalli Roselli, Astana Staff | Josh Octaviani, Astana Staff
The Inayatiyya is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization (Tax ID #23-7159641). Your donation may be fully deductible for tax purposes per United States IRS guidelines. Please note that donations made by check must be received by Friday, December 26th to be considered as within 2025. If you would like to make a donation by mail, please send it to Inayatiyya, 112 E Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219.
