The Zephyr, October 2022

19 October 2022

Dear Companions on the Path,

Greetings to you on this fine October day.

Here in Richmond (and online), last weekend the Universal Worship held its much-anticipated Convocation (photos here). It was an opportunity for cherags and other members of the Church of All and of All Churches to come together to pray, converse, and more deeply explore the meaning that the unity of religious ideals holds in our time.

To speak of our interfaith initiative as the “Church of All,” as it has been known since its founding a century ago, admittedly sounds audacious. How can we claim to represent all of the doctrines expounded by all of the believers of all of the religions of the world? Of course, we cannot. Our aim, however, is something different.

“Down whichsoever path love’s dromedaries speed / that is my religion, I profess that blessed creed,” wrote Shaykh al-Akbar Ibn al-‘Arabi.

Throughout history the voice of revelation has always communicated its message in a mode suited to the minds of its recipients, even when confronting them with inconvenient truths. Can there be any doubt that the Spirit of Guidance speaks at least as many languages as people do? Yet while there are many articulations of the sacred, the sacred itself is really always the same one thing. It’s the call of the One to the many, reminding us of what is infinitely vaster than our cantankerous, hidebound little selves. Whenever the summons of the sacred reaches a ready psyche it ignites a fervor for presence, a love of love, and an eagerness to travel the path of devotion and service to the All.

At the Convocation we celebrated the many contributions of Amina Hall, who has served with great dedication for the last six years as the Moin-ul-Maham (Vice President) of the Universal Worship for the Americas and Oceania. Amina is now passing the torch to Mumtaz Kammerer, who has worked closely with her for some time, and who has for decades led a weekly Universal Worship service in Baltimore. Another transition is occurring simultaneously, and equally bears marking. Since even before Amina’s tenure, Tara Muir has been steadfastly overseeing the administrative work of the Universal Worship in the Americas and Oceania. She is now entrusting this work to Cathy Fattah Layland. Please join me in expressing deep appreciation to Amina and Tara and a warm welcome to Mumtaz and Cathy Fattah.

Friends on the West Coast of the U.S., I hope to see you in Berkeley early next month. Friends on the European continent, I hope to see you in Paris in December. As we emerge from the isolation of the last two years, I look forward to the many ways in which, God willing, we will be able to be together in the year, and years, ahead.

Yours ever,
Pir Zia

The Journey of the Soul w/ Pir Zia Inayat Khan
Berkeley, California, November 5th – 6th, 2022
Paris, France, December 3rd – 4th, 2022

Pir Zia will offer two more in person events this year, both focusing on the theme of ‘The Journey of the Soul’. From November 5 & 6 it will take place in Berkeley, California, and from December 3 & 4 it will be offered in Paris, France.

Remember! That is the injunction of the prophets. Remember where you came from and you will know where you are going. Hazrat Inayat Khan’s The Soul, Whence and Whither offers a panoramic unveiling of the soul’s journey. Guided in this contemplative retreat by Hazrat’s grandson and lineage-bearer, we will recall our descent through the spiritual and imaginative worlds we knew before our birth. Then, looking toward the horizon, we will anticipate the interdimensional itinerary that still lies ahead. Situating ourselves, in this way, within a vaster map, we will be brought to a clearer understanding of what is needed here and now.

Register Berkeley
Register Paris

Suluk Global Online Course
March 2023 – December 2024
Applications due by November 18th, 2022

We are happy to announce the launch of a new Suluk Global Online class beginning March 2023. If you are interested in potentially becoming a student of Suluk, please email suluk@inayatiyya.org.

The first Suluk Academy Global Online Class graduated successfully in June 2022 with 142 students from Turkey, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, United States, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Norway, Scotland, Denmark and The Netherlands. Suluk is designed for initiates, called murids, within the Inayatiyya’s Inner School. Over the course of two years, students deeply explore the fundamentals of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s school of Sufism under the rubric of Concentration, Contemplation, Meditation and Realization.

More Details & Application

Inayatiyya Sufi Healing Retreat
Untying the Knots: Thriving on the Spiritual Path
October 27th – 30th, 2022

Healing practices support people in times of great change. They can also expand our capacity to serve humanity and the world.Over four days this fall, we invite you to explore themes of healing in the tradition of the Sufi mystic, Hazrat Inayat Khan (1882-1927). We will focus on practices and meditations to awaken inner spiritual and magnetic power, unwind, find freedom, and tend to life in a stressful world. The first two days of this retreat are open to senior teachers (Shafayats) and active Healing Conductors in the Healing Activity. The second two days are open to Shafayats, Healing Conductors, healing members and anyone interested in healing. Both sections of the retreat will be via Zoom.

Register Today

21 Day Kinship Challenge
October 31st – November 21st, 2022

Kinship North America and Oceania invite the Inayatiyya community to engage in a 21 Day Challenge to increase our personal awareness about the histories and experiences of marginalized communities. Through this experience, we hope to increase our understanding of whole-truth history and our ability to build habits and practices of inclusion and belonging. This 21 day practice is about seeing from another’s point of view. Setting our intentions and adjusting how we spend our time is essential to transforming ourselves.

Register Today

The Inayatiyya’s Call of the Earth Initiative, galvanized by the climate needs of our collective moment, unites us all in spirit and action through the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan. This month we hear from the Young Adults Council: 

“If there is something that can be accomplished today, we need not wait for it to be accomplished tomorrow“… Read more

The Zephyr is a monthly newsletter of Inayatiyya, an interfaith mystical fellowship with branches worldwide. For more gatherings, please visit our Inayatiyya Digital Programs Calendar for Fall 2022.