"Khilvat is the Sufi practice of seclusion. Although Sufis are not monastics, instead practicing their spirituality amidst life's everyday challenges, mureeds/initiates periodically seek the solitude of the inner life to review, renew, and refresh their sacred connection to life's Divine Source." -Murshida Khadija Goforth

We wish to introduce you to the Khilvat Council. The council, formed this past winter, ushers in a new chapter in the discipline of khilvat or retreat. Historically the Ruhaniat khilvat concentration was held primarily by a single individual. Sheikha Najat Roberts was one of the first people to focus this path; she was given this responsibility by Pir Moineddin Jablonski. Najat held the concentration for several years and in the early 2000’s Murshida Asha Greer stepped into the post. After a period of time, Asha wished to put more of her efforts into nurturing the growth and use of meditation and the khilvat post was handed over to Khalif Saladin Pelfrey. Last year Pir Shabda Kahn and Saladin discussed the idea of establishing a Khilvat Council, much in the same way the Ruhaniat has done with other concentrations of our esoteric school such as the Ziraat, Siraj, and Living Wisdom councils, and others.

The Khilvat Council members are Sheikha Julie Esterly, Murshida Rahimah Sweeney, Murshid Rahmat Moore, Murshid Jelaluddin Sturm, Khalif Saladin Pelfrey (chair), and Pir Shabda. Sheikha Najat serves as an emeritus to our council, gifting us with her depth of experience. It is our intention to help promote khilvat as a useful tool in our spiritual awakening, to refine guidelines for those who are called to guide retreats, and to develop resources for people to have available for retreat.

We will use this newsletter to keep people informed about khilvat resources and activities, and encourage people to share their insights and experiences with khilvat. We will be updating the reference material on the SRI website which will include contact information for people who are currently leading retreats and retreat sites.

In this issue we feature essays and teachings about khilvat to shine light on this profound practice. As Saladin says, "Silence opens the door to everything".

For more information on khilvat, contact Saladin Pelfrey: walkinginnature@gmail.com

by Murshida Rahimah Sweeney

Many of us are re-opening to the world after a time of isolation. The past few years have touched our hearts differently. Depending on living circumstances, this time has challenged some of us with being involuntarily alone. It makes a difference if you live alone. Our human hearts long for human connection. The idea of retreat as we begin to cautiously move into the world may seem counter-intuitive or even foreboding. It may be a time to begin planning a retreat while moving into our social comfort zones simultaneously. Thus allowing ourselves to fully consider the rare time we set aside to commune with the Divine within.

We might look at this time that we are moving toward ourselves as a bridging time. Are you able to attend a group retreat, a dance, a camp? The group experience is a healing balm after isolation. To look into eyes and drink in aliveness is healing. This might be the first step toward solitary Khilvat, as we re-engage in spiritual community. Adding our experience of a solitary retreat may be filled with more ease after that.

by Murshida Khadija Goforth

Introduction from Saladin:

INQUIRE WITHIN: Khilvat is the Sufi practice of seclusion. Although Sufis are not monastics, instead practicing their spirituality amidst life’s everyday challenges, mureeds/initiates periodically seek the solitude of the inner life to review, renew and refresh their sacred connection to life’s Divine Source.

Retreat formats may be: (1) solitary, (2) solitary in a group setting, (3) group (4) guided on-site, and/or (5) guided at-a-distance depending upon intention, geographic realities, and prior experience. Formal khilvat involves intensive personal practice without social interaction except for brief conferences with the retreat guide; after-camp and “Sufi Sesshin” retreats alternate solitude with group Zikr/Dances, teachings, and...continue reading

Contact Amira Sara for more information: sarapelfry@gmail.com

While it is the general practice that one goes on khilvat away from home to sever ties with the daily world, it is recognized that economic or health factors sometimes make that difficult or impossible. If it is necessary to go into khilvat at home, there are guidelines for achieving the sense of being away from home.

Suggested Elements for a Positive Khilvat Experience:

Choose a specific room in which to carry out the retreat. This will be one’s worldview for the length of the khilvat. All indoor practices are done in this room and one sleeps and eats in this room...continue reading

A Message from Pir Shabda Kahn

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