Reflections, by Murshida Khadija Goforth

Transmission, by Hakim Saul-uddin Barodofsky

Rise Up, by Murshida Rahimah Sweeney

Video Selections - Pir Shabda Kahn, Abraham & Halima Sussman, Omar M'Sai

Murshid Sam Archive, Selected Readings

Beloveds All,

Based upon 45 years of Ruhaniat experience, with your permission, I offer the following for your consideration:

1) Having lived through a couple of previous Ruhaniat rebirths, I acknowledge the pain of transition; as in childbirth, it's unavoidable. As we cry out, our hearts open and life’s next mysterious facets are disclosed. Every new birth, in whatever form, invites new ways to know One Another in God.

2) In an organizational tent of 3,000-ish people, even Soofies, each person is working on at least a couple of issues. Minimally, that’s 6,000 issues, all clamoring for resolution in the great Heart Presence of our shared spiritual ideal. What an opportunity for transformation!

3) I don't know anyone of any age who isn't still working on some karmic issue or another. Our issues don’t simply disappear at some point, but with diligence and grace we become more skilled in taking responsibility for (a) facing and (b) healing them. Though initially traumatic when our (individual and collective) "stuff" arises in the light of our ideal, confidence increases with practice.

4) It is pointless to try to solve group issues at an individual level. Most of us grew up in hyper-individuated Western culture, with much to learn about groups, circles, and functional, collaborative processes. Yes, we need to address situations when our buttons get pushed, but we don’t want outer issues to become distractions. Often, they point toward some necessary inner or group change.

5) Hierarchy and circles unite everywhere in nature, God’s infinite collaboration. Sufis seek to appreciate this unified Reality. It's not about doing away with either; life’s process requires both, engaged, each perfecting its particular purpose, contributing its essential gifts, dancing in the One.

6) Sufi schools have always grown and evolved when a mature mureed's realization becomes substantial enough to birth another circle. Joined by a few close mureeds, they set up a new tent somewhere down the road, perhaps with a slightly different orientation…the same, but also different. This isn't the only thing happening with the Ruhaniat right now, but it is happening. After necessary tears are cried and after new forms arise, a celebration awaits…but not quite yet.

7) Why should we imagine that our particular community be without shadows to illuminate? May we always remember where to find the light!

Love & MORE LOVE,

Murshida Khadija Goforth • Seattle, Washington

Transmission by Murshid Saul Barodofsky

Beloved Family,

We are so blessed to have such a lineage to call upon. From Hazrat Inayat Khan, through Murshid SAM, and Pir Moineddin Jablonski. They are all links in the Chain of Blessings (our silsila) which connects us to our lineage and with which we can connect, both in need and in thankfulness.

In addition, it is also important to honor and recognize all the G-D parents we had in those early days of our independence: Joe and Guin Miller, Frida Waterhouse, Father Blighton, Jiyu Kennett Roshi, Teddy Rich, Rev. Gene Wagner, Dr. Seo, plus all those known and unknown to us, who gave us the strength of their support and recognition...read more

Rise Up by Murshida Rahimah Sweeney

Do you remember Greta Thunberg? Young and alone with her pain, she was concerned about the predictions of the extinction of the planet. She was one person, listening to her inner voice, who created a ground swell around the world, moving us all Toward the One.

How long ago was that? How quickly must we move Toward the One? The wave has gathered strength and has called us to our Truth. Our eyes cannot be shut, our ears cannot be closed, our voices must learn to speak as we turn and turn. We are moving Toward the One.

The planetary call is undeniable. The call to allow all beings dignity. The personal call to be sensitive about how we apply Presence in our daily lives, so that we leave no one out of our consciousness. This is a lot!...read more

Himayat Inayati received the sacred transmission of Murshid Samuel Lewis, through bayat and training with Sheikh Mansur Johnson, and received the initiation of Murshid by Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan in 2001, a post re-affirmed by the Ruhaniat Murshids’ Circle January 2020.

Himayat was a member of the Sufi Order of the West, and the Inayati Order, from the early seventies until 2020. During that time, he was a teacher in the esoteric school for several decades, the International Kefayat The Sufi Healing Order for 20 years, and a founding faculty member of Suluk Academy...read more

From the Murshid Samuel Lewis Archives

Selections from archivist, Murshid Tansen O'Donohoe

Video and Audio

Your donations help us to answer the continuing call of our mission. We are grateful to our donors, volunteers, teachers, the Murshids' Circle and the Board of Trustees, who help us in our work and service. Thank you ~