Sufism: an inquiry - Vol17.3

Vol.17N.3 an inquiry

Oneness

The Foundation of Being

Letters from Sufi Masters The Universal Journey of the Heart Reflections on the Self

Steve Uzzell photography

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Sufism: An Inquiry Vol XVII, No. 3

I wished to find the mysteries of being

with the eyes of my head I found my head lost In the whirpool and vortex of time and beyond

- Ibn Sina

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A Development Project

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A Project for Peace sponsored by the

International Association of Sufism

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Sufism: An Inquiry Vol XVII, No. 3

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The world's longest running journal on Sufism 30 years of service toward cultivating peace and understanding in the world Since its founding in 1983, the International Association of Sufism has been proud to be a home for Sufis, spiritual seekers, and people of all kinds devoted to uplifting the quality of humanity around the globe. Over the last three decades, the IAS has been blessed with phenomenal growth and has worked hard to be a leader in a wide range of areas. Among the longest running of its traditions of service is our journal, Sufism, An Inquiry, which we first published in 1987. Since that time, Sufism, An Inquiry has been a living reflection of the dynamic energy and growing global community of Sufis and searchers who are deeply engaged in the work of the IAS. Over 60 volumes, the pages of Sufism, An Inquiry have championed women’s rights and the work of the Sufi Women Organization; published scientific inquiries ranging from the physiology of heart math to the latest findings of astronomers; shared new translations of classic works of Sufi literature previously unavailable in English; offered works by leading psychologists on human development and the spiritual path, reported on human rights and other diplomatic movements ranging from the work of the United Nations to interfaith organizations such as the United Religions Initiative; explored the cultural gifts of world religions diversely embodied around the planet; and provided insight into a wide variety of effective practices for spiritual development. As a whole, the tradition at Sufism, An Inquiry of featuring the work of great teachers, scholars and scientists from a wide variety of global perspectives, historical contexts and fields of specialization runs deep and strong throughout our journal’s history and shall continue to grow far into the future.

Since the time the IAS first began publishing Sufism, An Inquiry, the world has also gone through an amazing transformation full of new opportunities and new challenges. One notable dimension in which the world has changed completely is the world of media under the influence of the internet and high technology. Just as the IAS has been at the forefront of leadership efforts for peace, human rights and equality, religious freedom and international cooperation, critical to meeting the opportunities and challenges of our changing world, today the IAS is proud to announce that it is relaunching Sufism, An Inquiry in a new online, digital format that will make it more dynamic and more accessible than ever to a worldwide population. We look forward to developing video content, mp3 audio files, social interactivity, links to websites with related content, and a beautiful full-color layout. At the same time, we plan to offer the journal, not just online, but in print, in downloadable pdf format, and in other formats readable on e-readers.

To all our readers who have added so much to our community over these many years, we wish to extend our great appreciation for making us part of your life and we extend to you and to all our enthusiastic invitation to journey with us into this new and exciting period of growth for our journal.

We hope you will enjoy this, our inaugural issue in our new online, digital format! Let us know what you think in an email to: sufismjournal@gmail.com.

Peace to you and yours,

Sufism, An Inquiry Editorial Staff, The International Association of Sufism Sufism: An Inquiry Vol XVII, No. 3

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Publisher: International Association of Sufism a nonprofit corporation.

Editor-in-Chief: Seyyed Ali Kianfar, Ph.D. Executive Editor: Nahid Angha, Ph.D. Journal Board: Matthew Davis, Munir Hedges, Elizabeth Miller, Hamed Ross, Taher Roybal, Sarah Hastings Mullin.

Photography:

Susan W. Lambert

www.SusanWLambert.com

Steve Uzzell

www.SteveUzzell.com

Inside Cover Photo: Steve Uzzell Cover Art: “Nasruddin’s Tears” The various articles in SUFISM: an inquiry represent the individual views of their authors.

SUFISM: an inquiry does not imply any gender bias by the use of feminine or masculine terms, nouns and/or pronouns.

SUFISM: an inquiry is a quarterly journal (ISSN: 0898-3380) published by the International Association of Sufism.

Address all correspondence regarding editorials and advertising to: SUFISM, P.O. Box 2382, San Rafael, California 94912 Phone: (415) 472-6959 email ias@ias.org All material Copyright © 2017 by International Association of Sufism.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication (including art) may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

The publication is published by the International Association of Sufism, a California nonprofit corporation.

The publication of any article, essay, story, or other material herein constitutes neither an endorsement of, agreement with, or validation of the contents of the author’s views expressed therein.

Although the Publisher has made all reasonable efforts in its editing of such material to verify its accuracy, the Publisher takes no responsibility for any innacurate or tortious statement by the author set forth therein.

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Editorial Advisors: Dr. Shahid Athar, MD The awardee of “Dr. Ahmed El-Kadi Award for distinguished service to the Islamic Medical Association of America Dr. Arthur Beuhler Naqshbandi-Mujaddidi Sufi Lineage Scholar in the field of Islamic Studies Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz (Saadi Shakur Chishti) Edinburgh Institute for Advanced Learning www.eial.org Dr. Aliaa R. Rafea Ain Shams University, Women’s College, Egypt The Human Foundation: Chair and Founder

Dr. Nahid Angha masterfully produces an English translation of Abdu’llah Ansari’s The One Hundred Fields or Sad Maydan, as it is known in Persian. The book includes an introduction with biographical information on Ansari, the 11th century Persian Sufi mystic, theologian, philosopher, and poet, in the context of the Persian literary and spiritual renaissance. In Sad Madyan, Ansari details for the reader the “One Hundred Fields” or stations of the spiritual path that the “wayfarer” experiences on his or her journey towards God. Dr. Angha provides extensive footnotes that reveal to the reader Ansari’s Quaranic references, note nuances contained within the author’s farsi word choice, and indicate where variations exist between the several published versions of the work. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Persian literature and poetry, mystical traditions, and the journey towards the self.

- Ashley Werner, JD

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editors’ desk

09. A Letter from the Desk of the Editor

Shah Nazar Seyyed Ali Kianfar, Ph.D.

13. Principles of Sufism:Oneness

Nahid Angha, Ph.D.

17. Essential Practices: Self-Evaluation Nahid Angha, Ph.D.

19. Selected Teachings: Peace and the Eternal Hazrat Moulana Shah Maghsoud

history and inquiry

49. Reflections: Love is Everywhere Musa Muhaiyaddeen

51. 40 Days Practice: Salat

Matthew Davis, Ph.D.

60. Memoriam: Dr. Nevit Oguz Ergin

Millicent Alexander

64. Memoriam: Daniel Abdul Hayy Moore Ahamed Muhaiyaddeen

69. Memoriam: Hidayat Inayat-Khan

78. 99 Most Beautiful Names: Al-Muhvi

Sarah Hastings Mullin, Ph.D.

reports

43. #Cut50: reduce the prison population

with Jessica Sloan, Mayor of Mill Valley

46. Publishing: History and Implications with Patricia Holt

47. Annual Dinner with Peter Coyote

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global reports 30. GAIA: Bringing Healthcare to the Far End of the Road to end AIDs

35. Women Gathering for Change Conference

37. Be yourself... Be Happy

Aisha Rafea

74. UN Report

poetry

23. The King is withdrawn into solitude Ibn Sina

25. Hakim Sana’i and Shabestari

translated by Hamaseh Kianfar, Ed.D.

62. 4 Poems from a lifetime

Daniel Abdal Hayy Moore

73. Rumi: Do you know what love is?

translated by Nevit O. Ergin, M.D.

literature review

71. The Enclosed Garden of the Truth reviewed by Salim Matchette

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Letter from the Editor

Fitra

the primordial foundation for knowledge

Begin a quest to understand

the totality of Self

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If you wonder about the origin of your being, and if you therefore begin a quest to understand the totality of Self, beyond the limitations of your genetics and culture, then you have a yearning to search and discover such reality. If you are brave enough to acknowledge your ignorance and genuinely seek to understand, then you will truly begin your quest for such understanding. This quest is a necessary first condition for receiving guidance, which is requisite in your effort to find your way to the origin. If you surrender to this guidance with the goal of achieving knowledge to become capable to read the book of your life, resolve to master yourself by disciplining your nafs, then your quest will be grounded by intention. Your intention must not waver if you wish to reach ultimate self-knowledge.

But where and to whom do you turn for guidance when your goal is knowledge of Self, particularly when the search begins with an admission of ignorance? If the goal is self-knowledge, are you sufficient as an answer to yourself? Yes, and, no.

You are the beginning and the end of the search, yet you do not know where you begin or where you end. Nor can you find your way out of the state of ignorance when you have not yet developed the eyes to see, the ears to hear, and the heart to understand reality beyond the limitation of your senses. While the seed for knowledge has been entrusted to you, yet it is hidden behind the veils of limitations. The seed must be activated, but how do you activate it?

For many the initial search for source, and guidance for how to access it, leads to the sacred books.

Instincts in this regard are strong, as the holy books do provide guidance and certainly contain the knowledge you need to unlock the book of Self and begin the process of discovery. However, there are multiple challenges: how do you truly access the knowledge contained within the sacred books, whom can you trust to help you access it, and how can you guard against compounding ignorance and misunderstanding?

Shah Nazar Seyyed Ali Kianfar, Ph.D., the Editor in Chief of the journal, is

the Co-Director of the International Association of Sufism. He is an acclaimed Sufi Master with students around the world, an international lecturer and the author of numerous books including An Introduction to Religion.

You might also wonder how there can be so according to the capacity and station of knowledge. many different traditions all stemming from the The Book provides a map for where you need to look same book with each claiming to be the ‘right’ way. and tells what signs to expect as you search for your When carefully considered it becomes obvious that own reality. The language of the Book is the language traditions – the ideas, interpretations, methods, and of your heart, beyond the limitations of mind-dimenrules of a particular community – are supplements, sions, for your heart is the vehicle of communication but not the book. They are addendums to the revelawith the divine. The more your heart is in alignment tion. In fact, these very traditions limit the freedom with fitra, the more it will receive and understand dito discover the origin of your being and thus to read vine communication. Similarly, the more your heart the book of your own fitra, the primordial. Any misunderstands, the more your tongue communicates understanding will lead you to a different direction, reality. far from the original meanPeople do a great dissering. Misunderstood words vice by imagining they have The language of the Book is accessed and understood the and misapplied practices lead to divergent lines of language of your heart, beyond the Book when they have simthought, realms of imaginalimitations of mind-dimensions, ply read a printed book or tion, and unstable practices listened to words and then for your heart is the vehicle of that have no direct connecreshaped the messages accommunication with the divine. The cording to their own tastes. tion to the source and no chance of helping the seekmore your heart is in alignment with Do not be satisfied with a er find one’s own origin. philosophy of the book! Don’t fitra, the more it will receive and add misunderstanding to unIf you cannot rely on traunderstand divine communication. derstanding. Don’t mix them. ditions, where should you turn instead? The holy book This mixture is exactly what is a guide, but how do you has happened to religion over access it? First, you need a filter on your action betime. The second person after the prophet’s revelafore taking a step. Make sure of the source, especialtion thought he understood and thus put his mixture ly about religion. You need to ask yourself how you forward. It is important to understand that this is not can trust a collection presented as a book? How do just a story of traditions straying from revelation. you know this book will lead you to absolute realMore important, it is the story of you trying to read ity? the book of your own reality.

For you, the one who is seeking your origin, the In order not to add to your mixture you must return holy book is neither a historical artifact nor a story to self with the intention of removing everything, letof previous people in a prior time establishing rules ting go of your constructed identity with all of its imfor their community. Rather, it is a revelation of the ages, words, beliefs, and ideas. Then you need to set a stages and stations of Self-discovery. The Book condeep quest to follow the path that originates and ends tains the knowledge of fitra, e.g. absolute reality, on one stable point. The potentiality of knowledge of life, unity, as it has been discovered, experienced, ultimate reality, of your origin or fact, lies with you. revealed, and communicated by each messenger You are a manifestation of ultimate reality, a temporal

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You have to discipline and master your own self in order to find the light and your unique position within the universe, the mirror of the whole

It is here that you need a teacher to guide you form and a temporal expression of fitra, the one, life.

Within this temporal form lies the fact of your being.

You do not need to search without to find that which is contained within. As you seek this point, you must clarify your intention from beginning to end and check your intention regularly to see and ensure that you are going in the right direction.

It is here that you need a teacher to guide you, one who has direct experience of fitra and thus has knowledge of both the apparent and the hidden by experience. Such a one knows the Book, the blueprint, or map and can recognize the signs. This guide leads you back to your own point of origin, making clear the direction and the way. Just as with the holy books, the student has to guard against adding his or her mixture and getting trapped in words. This is your own responsibility, not that of the teacher.

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Although the reality is revealed and lies within, and there is also a guide there to help you, nevertheless you have to work to uncover this reality for yourself. You have to practice in order to have your own direct experience of the one point of light, the seed of iman, faith. You have to discipline and master your own self in order to find the light and your unique position within the universe, the mirror of the whole, the creature of the seventh day; and you must carefully guard against adding your mixture.

The more you polish heart the clearer become the signs of reality and unity within yourself.

You cannot see or understand anything other than your own Self – “you can’t put the ocean in the cup.”

Self must merge with primordial oneness. Then and only then will you achieve the knowledge of the self.

You cannot see or understand anything other than your own Self

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Oneness

Nahid Angha, Ph.D.

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Principles of Sufism

To experience ‘oneness,’ and understanding that behind the curtain of the finite exists the reality of the infinite, we have to review our understanding of oneness and duality, eternal and temporary, Divine and human, soul and body, heart and mind. These subjects have been the topics of our inquiries, whether philosophical explanation, spiritual quest, or scientific inquiry for a long time. Within all of our research and learning, we hope to conclude that the human self is a part of the great world of existence, that we are relevant and important in this design of being, and that existence itself may lose its meaning without the existence of the individual self.

Each nation and religion’s definition on how to arrive at the gateway of spiritual oneness may vary. Some of us seek knowledge, and others seek peace and harmony. Some of us seek enlightenment, and others seek illumination. Looking at the beautiful world of nature, with its magnificent designs, harmonious melodies, colorful reflections, and time-space dimensions, we may become mesmerized by such beauty that all we see is dimensions and designs, forgetting the root that is present at the heart of a seed, and hidden at the heart of nature. This seed is nourished by the same nature, so it can open its shell, stretch its arms toward the sunlight, rise above the dust, and bring its potentiality into actuality. Or as the 14th century Persian Sufi Hafiz wrote: All these beautiful manifestations,

dimensions and designs Are just the reflection of the divine presence

in the cup of heart With a deeper understanding and revered appreciation, Sufis admire the seed of potentiality and its importance in creating the beauty and

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world of nature that surrounds us. They recognize that it is the seed that unfolds, guides and designs the knowledge within the heart of creation, and that it is the seed that brings potentiality into actuality. The same process of potentiality unfolding to become the actual applies not only in nature, but also in the spiritual journey. In Sufism, it is the knowledge of the heart that leads the way to understanding the unity behind all that exists: apparent and hidden, universe and Being.

Sufis focus their attention on the journey of heart.

That journey is achieved through taking actual steps based on the principles of the essential Being passed through the world of multiplicity to discover the unity with the being of one’s own self; where, from the depth of attraction, after complete annihilation, the seeker discovers within one’s own self the divine presence in its ultimate unity. So, knowledge has found new definition according to Sufism, and this definition is based on the saying of the Prophet, who says: “Knowledge, or knowing, is not gained through scattered studying, but is light that awakens the alert (attentive) heart.” It is from here that heart represents more than just an organ in the human system. The heart becomes the beginning and the end, and it is the school for a Sufi.

The Sufi remains with his heart, and the aware and awakened heart remains with the Sufi.

In Sufi teaching, the pursuit of knowledge becomes an actual step through which seeking becomes united with that which is sought; and seeing becomes united with the Seen. The Sufi and his heart are to step out of the field of duality, intellectual reasoning and philosophical explanations, and enter into (realize) the realm of unity, where ultimately the heart becomes the all seeing, the all hearing.

As it is the heart of the seed that brings potentiality into actuality, there must be a center within all that exists, where infinite reality is transformed into finite reality. The center of this transformation that carries within itself such attraction is the heart, and the knowledge of the heart has been the principle teaching and practice of Sufis for the last fourteen centuries.

It is from the limited and finite self that one begins to journey towards that ultimate reality, and it is from this station that we advance from the outward edge of being toward the inward realization of the ultimate.

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The Sufi and his heart are to step out of the field of duality,.. and enter into (realize) the realm of unity, where ultimately the heart becomes the all seeing, the all hearing.

Multiplicity becomes nothing other than the manifestations of the divine essence, the infinite reality with many reflections; just as the tree with its many branches, leaves and fruits that spring from the heart of the seed. The Sufi poet says: What is this cell and particle…nothing but the sun What is this raindrop, nothing but the ocean Every discipline has sought to understand the entirety of our world and the governing laws within our existing universe. Our science has analyzed the particles to the point where it seems they can no longer be divided, realizing there is a very existence of the indivisible life at a core that is beyond (and inclusive of ) the particular and the particle. The core that declares its existence – here I am, and I exist – has its centrality in the continuation of the life of the universe, maintains its relevance to all that exists, and is the continuity of such existence. Thus, the essential centrality within the heart of all that which exists remains, everything is relevant, and everything declares its being, its uniqueness, and the unity that holds all that which exists together. This is the very core of the apparent and the hidden of Being, the hidden essence unfolding in many perceivable colors.

In Sufism, it is the knowledge of the heart that leads the way to understanding the unity behind all that exists: apparent and hidden, universe and Being.

These questions also have been the subjects of almost all our theological, philosophical and mystical explorations. Theologians (of monotheistic religions) declare that there is only one God, philosophers explain such oneness through their logical reasoning, and mystics strive to arrive at the meaning behind words.

The question for a Sufi is: What is the principle that brings me to become attuned with my heart; to fall in love so my searching is not an obligation but a willful longing to realize and become one with that which I seek to know? In Sufism, it is the “attraction” between the seeker and the sought that unites – attraction drenched in harmony, the finite realizing the infinite within, duality realizing oneness. Sufi master Moulana Shah Maghsoud writes:

The question for a Sufi is: What is the principle that brings me to become attuned with my heart; to fall in love so my searching is not an obligation but a willful longing to realize and become one with that which I seek to know?

We searched a while for the divine Within the depth of our illusions Looking there to find his signs In the being of you and I When love appeared You and I were dissolved And no more need to follow signs

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Essential Practices along the Spiritual Path

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Self-Evaluation

by Nahid Angha, Ph.D.

As the seekers on the path of spiritual enlightenment, self-examination becomes an important part of the spiritual pursuit. We are to distinguish between corrupt and sound business affairs. Any interaction that results in oppression is a dishonest affair; any interaction and affair that causes harm to the people and communities is corrupt; and any action that is against the well being of creation is unjust.

Yet providing service to the people and all creation is a worthy cause. It is of great importance that we, whether we are on a spiritual path or not, evaluate our action and our worth.

We are to differentiate between what is a beneficial transaction and what serves corruption, then decide what is it that we are serving and where our actions lead us.

The Sufi mystic, Al-Ghazali said that someone asked the Prophet for advice. The Prophet said: Evaluate the consequence of your action before you do it. If your action leads you towards the straight path, then carry on. If it leads you towards loss and corruption, then avoid such action. In other words, when we begin the day, we must advise ourselves to follow the right action, and at the end of each day we must also set aside time to review and evaluate our actions during that day. If we all remember and remind ourselves of such simple self-evaluation, we will not only honor politeness and chivalry as essential principles in our practice, but we will also interact more honorably in our community, in our world and within the creation.

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Selected Teachings

Hazrat Moulana Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha The acquaintance and harmony of the soul with truth in nature brings true knowledge. When the function of senses becomes something more than touching and apparent harmony with the figures and forms of things, then the human intellect and soul can acquire an intellectual and qualitative insight with every observation. Then, his sensual and perceptional limitations change in accord with reality. At this time, the knowledge of the soul is perceived through nature.

This is the place where man confesses his ignorance (his limited knowledge) and the

true knowledge and the recognition of the existence and will search for the way from his internal world to infinity.

Kant says that beauty, or any beautiful thing, will not open up the outside world to us, but it shows and indicates our own special state of soul. The characteristics and properties remain hidden from us. There is a power in them which can excite our intellect and ethical virtue and make them harmonize with each other. We do not perceive the tunes of things, rather what we perceive is our own potentials.

Passage from Manifestations of Thought

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ETRI Publciations San Rafael, 1980

Translated by Dr. Nahid Angha

Selected Teachings

We do not perceive the tunes of things, rather what we perceive is our own potentials.

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Annual Retreat January 27-29, 2017 www.IAS.org

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The Alchemy of Tranquility

@

Santa Sabina Center

This weekend retreat will explore the higher reaches of human development through the lens of spirituality. Drawing on the Sufi tradition, the concept of Unity refers to the absolute essence of Being, the ultimate Reality, of which all manifestation is an expression including our own Self. The teachings and practices this weekend will provide participants with an opportunity to experience knowledge of this Unity within their own being. The retreat will include spoken presentations, experiential exercises, and dialogue, as well as music and movement practices. This retreat is for those interested in exploring their own potential transformation. It will also be of value to therapists who would like to increase their capacity to bring presence to their work.

Facilitator Bios and Program details @

www.IAS.org/programs/fortydays His Holiness, Shah Nazar Seyyed Ali Kianfar, PhD, a world-renowned Sufi Master and teacher of spiritual practice for over thirty years developed the 40 Days Program, and continues to guide its public offering. Dr. Kianfar provides spiritual wisdom and deep knowledge of the psychology of the human being in ways that provide participants with the opportunity to gain full awareness of themselves, and to learn to act in ways that reduce conflict and foster love and wisdom. It is the first time that this highly spiritual practice of purification has been combined with psychological training.

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Rhythms of the Heart From the conclusion of Hayy ibn Yaghzan/Zendeh-i-bidar

by: Ibn Sina

The King is withdrawn into solitude, no one may know His origin, no one may claim to praise Him as He deserves, no one may compare Him to any, as He is beyond comparing.

The most beautiful manifestation is His, all Being is under His command. He is the most generous.

He is the most praiseworthy.* It is as if His manifest goodness veils His goodness; His manifest appearance hides Him. Realizing Him will conceal Him. He reveals Himself to His own people, and towards them He is generous of His sight.

They who experience His beauty will long for Him and never lose of His sight.

Those who come close to Him are overwhelmed by His mercy and generosity, they are made aware of desolation of the world. When they return from Him they are blessed with richness.

* In Sufi poetry the metaphor of ‘King’ refers to the Divine Presence.

Ibn Sina was an 11th century Persian philosopher Translated by Dr. Nahid Angha

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Rhythms of the Heart by: Translations by Hamaseh Kianfar, Ed.D.

From Hadiqat al Haqiqi of Hakim Sanā’ī Ghaznavi 12th century Persian Poet

My friend: do not make your life the dwelling of hell Do not make your memories intolerable Do not journey into vain Do not reside at the door of illusion Leave the impossible to impossible Find a way to the house of the Beloved The eternal universe is at your reach Do not suffocate in the house of finite Take the ladders that take you to high sphere Reach out, and become content

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From Golshan-i-raz of Sheikh Mahmoud Shabestari 14th century Persian Poet

In the Name of the One who taught the essence of life to think And kindled the lamp of the heart with the light of that essence Shabestari devotes a section of his book to the famous hadith qudsi: “I was a Treasure unknown then I desired to be known so I created a creation to which I made Myself known; then they knew Me.�

And writes, in a beautiful poetry: Reflect on the sacred hadith To unveil the secret That the universe is wrapped within human and the human within the universe Look into depth of hadith: The seer, the sight and the seen become all one The universe becomes the mirror Every particle holds a mystery Open a drop, hundreds of oceans will flow Open a sand, thousands of humans unveiled From one grain many fields will grow The universe is wrapped within the heart of every grain

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New Courses Coming Spring 2017!

Through the Holy Qur’an, Hadith and Bible

Over three Sundays May 7, 21 & June 4 Understanding the Qur’an 1:00 - 2:00 pm Hadith 2:15 - 3:15 pm Understanding the Bible 3:30 - 4:30 pm These classes provide reflections on holy books by a wise Sufi Master. They will provide a valuable resource for people of all religious and spiritual traditions who are seeking to deepen and enrich their own understanding and spiritual practice. $30 for any one of the three-week series; $85 for all three series Reserve a space, send a check made out to IAS to the address below or call (415) 382-7834 fmi: www.IAS.org

Institute for Sufi Studies 14 Commercial Blvd. #101, Novato

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The doorway to our destination is the heart and that is where we discover the meaning of the Names. The heart is a house of worshipping and the mind should be a pilgrimage around the heart. from the manuscripts of Sufi Master Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar: (author of Illumination of the Names)

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Science, Religion & the Self

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Global Works Good health facilitates our experience of the world and our connection with one another. Every person deserves access to quality basic primary healthcare and the chance to live her best life.

In too many places around the world, extreme poverty, inadequate government resources and underdeveloped infrastructure exclude the most vulnerable and in need from essential health services that many of us take for granted.

Not often covered by U.S. media, Malawi is a country in Sub-Saharan Africa facing pressing development challenges, where a severe HIV/ AIDS epidemic strains an overburdened health system. Nearly a million of Malawi’s 16.7 million citizens are living with HIV and 530,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS. Ranked among the poorest economies with a GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) of only $381 (World Bank 2015), the vast majority of Malawians live in rural villages, most surviving as subsistence farmers from vegetable gardens on small plots of land.

The nearest government health centers are often several hours’ walk from home, and sick villagers often arrive to find facilities understaffed or out of vital medicines.

Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA) is working to ensure that rural villagers in Malawi have access to primary healthcare and integrated HIV services, both to improve care for those living with and affected by HIV and to prevent new infections. GAIA was founded in the Bay Area in 2000 by Episcopal priest The Reverend Dr. Bill Rankin and world-renowned University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Wilson. GAIA empowers local Malawian staff to design and implement grassroots local solutions to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, targeting remote, rural districts with the highest HIV prevalence and fewest resources. In coordination with the local Ministry of Health, GAIA identifies gaps in available health services and deploys its projects and programs to fill areas of need. GAIA mobilizes Muslim, Christian and traditional leaders, village chiefs and local volunteers to help combat HIV stigma. Together with GAIA, they educate people about HIV prevention, raise awareness of HIV treatment and the importance of seeking medical attention, and build trust in communitybased services.

Bringing healthcare to the far end of the road to end AIDS:

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• • • •

Over 1 million mobile clinic visits to date 46,000 tested for HIV with 4,400 (12%) found positive linked to treatment 483 nurses supported with scholarships Over 30,000 orphans supported and 1,500 high school scholarships provided

GAIA core programs include: GAIA Villages – trains local women as village health workers to provide support for AIDS orphans, homebased care for those living with HIV and the ill, and door-to-door health education, HIV prevention and referrals.

GAIA Elizabeth Taylor Mobile Health Clinics – 7 mobile clinics rotate to serve 35 sites weekly across two remote rural districts, filling gaps in healthcare access and providing HIV services integrated into basic primary care.

GAIA Nursing Scholarships – provides financially disadvantaged young women and orphans with comprehensive support at university nursing programs, from their first year all the way to graduation, in return for a commitment to serve as nurses for 3-4 years at high-need government facilities to improve healthcare infrastructure.

When GAIA first began, antiretroviral therapy (ART) was only just becoming available in Malawi, and rural coverage was extremely low. AIDS stigma was pervasive and deadly; family members in rural villages hid sick relatives in back bedrooms and those suffering from HIV and AIDS often learned their status or received treatment too late, if at all. In the decade and a half since, the HIV prevalence rate among adults has

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declined from 16.6% in 2000 to 9.1% nationally. In the remote, extremely affected areas where GAIA works, GAIA programs have contributed to a drop in adult prevalence from 20% to 17%. Today, when GAIA’s community nurses and village health workers conduct their rounds, HIV-positive clients greet them on front porches alongside supportive family members.

While there has been enormous progress in reducing stigma and improving the willingness for villagers to be tested for HIV and learn their status, much remains to be done to get Malawi’s HIV epidemic under control and to ensure that those living in the most remote areas have access to life-saving treatment.

Thirty-nine percent of people in need of ART still do not have access and 27,000 people died from AIDS last year. There remains a 65% vacancy rate in public nursing positions for lack of qualified health professionals, undermining rural health services where the need is often greatest.

GAIA presses on, committed to supporting the work of Malawians to eliminate global inequities in healthcare, bringing primary healthcare and HIV services to all who need it at the far end of the road. Together, we are one community, ending the AIDS epidemic in the hardest-to-reach corners of our world, for everyone. We invite you to join us: www.thegaia.org

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Poetry

This book is available for purchase online and through the International Association of Sufism

Powerfully magnetic, Caravan introduces and accentuates the omnipresence of the ultimate human art form: the gift of love and divine attraction, founded in the heart of every being. Ignited throughout the experience and reflection of 50 elegant autobiographies, Caravan exemplifies the energy of such magnetic attraction, beyond the dimensions of time and space. - Munir Hedges 2015, softcover, 250 pages with an additional collection of photographs.

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2017 Campaign in Support of SB1221 Expanded Learning Enhances Student Success California Department of Education Initiative

Take Action and help VFJ reduce the “nutrition gap” in the Greater Bay Area!

Millions of children in California qualify for a reduced price lunch or a free lunch meal, however about 4 of 5 children are missing out on meals. Voices for Justice will be donating collections received to a local school that provides services to low income communities. Help Voices for Justice to keep children learning and growing by supporting meal programs. Voices for Justice (VFJ) is a department of the International Association of Sufism, a non-profit, United Nations, NGO-DPI. Donate your contribution of $50; $100; $250; $500; any amount $ to IAS: Voices for Justice: Checks payable to “Voices for Justice” or pay via Credit Card - Number:_______________________________ Expiration date:__________________ Your name:________________________________________________________________________________ Your address:______________________________________________________________________________ Phone number:_______________________________ Email:_________________________________________ Mail to: IAS/Voices for Justice: 14 Commercial Blvd., Ste. 101, Novato, California, 94949, USA International Association of Sufism is a non profit 501 c, and your contribution is tax deductible to the extend permitted by law.

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Above: conference participants

The oldest of many civilizations, where the balance between the feminine and the masculine prevailed, hosted Women Gathering for Change: Envisioning Ways to Create a Healthier Future from March 16-19, 2016.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina indicating its recognition regarding the importance of women’s contributions to needed changes and inspiring solutions that bring good to all life sponsored the Program. The Library had revived the ancient mission of the initial library, in that it gathers knowledge from around the world—making Alexandria a relevant meeting point for cultural dialogues.

The conference scheduled eleven panels. The themes included: Women Creating Change, Gender Medicine and Dissemination of Traditional Medicines and Practices, the Collaborative Economy and New forms of Collaborative Development of New Styles of Life, Women Promoting Peace: New Visions and Actions, Refugee Crisis: Loving One’s Neighbor as Oneself, Health from a Futuristic Perspective, Women, Nature and Environmental Changes, Future Leadership Style. The Women Creating Change conference concluded on the evening of Friday March 18th, with a closing statement and plans for future actions.

The Conference brought a great number of women who have contributed so much to the wellbeing of the human family. They presented their experiences and messages, while inspiring more innovative ideas and contributions from a great number of the audience. For event links: ​

Right: Dr. Nahid Angha presenting

Women Gathering for Change: Envisioning Ways to Create a Healthier Future Conference Alexandria, Egypt

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Women & Faith

New Release

International Association of Sufism Publications

This book is a compilation of Sufi Master Nahid Angha’s teachings, compiled by Arife Ellen Hammerle, Ph. D. She writes in her introduction that: “I express my appreciation to her for so graciously sharing her wisdom, light and knowledge with so many…

“Dr. Nahid Angha’s teaching and guidance continuously deepen my understanding of the wisdom of Sufism.”

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By: Aisha Rafea

A Group of Be Yourself Trainers

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hen I was a child Spirituality was a natural part of our daily life; I always thought that everything in life was so clear; just behave with love and all will be great, so easy! To be altruistic all the time was a common value in our home. When practiced by everyone in the family, altruism turns to be a natural way of mutual caring. That does not mean that life was like a piece of heaven; we all had our problems. But the very clear thing for me was that we only lived according to the criteria of our innate divinity, and, unintentionally, would not allow the ‘human’ in us with all its weaknesses and limitations to take its space.

To live according to the natural passion of divinity was not my mistake; it was that I could not realize the challenges of sticking to it when life was tough and when surroundings were testing my limits. Following a long time of confusion, loss, and depression I came back to seek full living with my divinity, but with new consciousness.

I recognized the need to grow more spiritually, and to be capable of accepting earthly life (and myself) just as it is, to embrace it, and let it play its role in ‘cooking’ my soul. I remember now the words of Rumi when he describes his life journey saying, “I was raw, cooked, then fired.”

The moment I realized that I should first understand what it is to be ‘human’ with its full dimensions and to embrace ‘me’; I felt I would love to do it with all creation. I started then studying more about the layers and layers of what it is to be human; physically, emotionally, mentally, and all spiritual paths. I learnt about the ways in which

Global Works

the mind creates its illusions and, thus, creates barriers between human and their own hearts where the Divine dwells. I could see the conflict in myself and human fellows when we want with all our being to live according to the highest values of love, acceptance and embracement but we simply hate, reject and judge. I could see why people are keen to observe their religious worship system but they just do it mechanically, and they do not transform into better human beings. I knew that they do not mean to be hypocrites; they simply are not prepared to existentially experience the divine spark within; again because they do not allow themselves to be who they are fully.

The most important thing I have learned is that to love those who love you and their nature is just like you, as I used to do, is not a sign of divinity; it is itself a limitation. I started to look up to spiritual expansion where the divine within can experience a kind of love that transcends all kinds of separation and division.

From that time on I started working on the program Be Yourself with the objective of training children how to grow as whole by creating for them a safe environment. With team work we started with children, and then found it necessary to work with adults; teachers and parents, to train them how to make the needed safe environment for healthy psycho-spiritual growth. We extended our activities then to people who want to heal from past wounds and seek wholeness. So the programs are covering now almost all criteria of people; children, adolescents, par-

Humans know how to realize wellness in all its dimensions; emotional, psychological, mental, physical and spiritual.

They enjoy a sense of safety, inner freedom, healthy self-esteem, courage, benevolence, peace, creativity, integrity, contentment and fulfillment.

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With the Egyptian National Congress of Women

A Children’s Camp

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Sufism: An Inquiry Vol XVII, No. 3TOT Gathering

ents, teachers, orphanages care-givers, work environment, as well as TOT programs to train more and more Be Yourself trainers.

From the mid-1990s to 2010 our team was working in a non-official domain; we applied the programs with friends, with spiritual circle members, and at some schools as free activity.

In 2011, Dr. Aliaa Rafea Initiated the Human Foundation with the intention to make Be Yourself programs work under its umbrella.1 She made it as part of the HF philosophy that “lighting a small candle invites people to light theirs, and conquer darkness.” That is what we have been doing since then.

The basic philosophy of Be Yourself programs is that within each and every human soul resides a divine spark; the highest potential of human. By connecting to and manifesting its attributes, our lives become more joyful, peaceful, meaningful, balanced and healthier. The project uses well-established, proven tools to educate participants how to harmonize between mind, body and spirit.

By using different methods, programs target heart purification, healing the wounded souls, personal empowerment, self–discovery, and more. Our Vision Statement is that: Humans know how to realize wellness in all its dimensions; emotional, psychological, mental, physical and spiritual. They enjoy a sense of safety, inner freedom, healthy self-esteem, courage, benevolence, peace, creativity, integrity, contentment and fulfillment.

And our Mission is that: The program supplies the participants with the tools to discover their higher potentials, and make use of them for creatively transforming their lives into more fulfilling ones.

A TOT Camp

The Be Yourself TOT objectives, by which articipants gain the expertise of: 1. Realizing a sense of deeper happiness and peacefulness that is not conditioned by any external factors 2. Turning life challenges into means of growing and expanding 3. Replacing unhealthy personal fears by a deeper sense of safety; guilt by a capability of letting go; resentment by contentment 4. Transforming limiting beliefs, ideas and attitudes (nurtured by indoctrinating education and culture) into liberating, constructive and encouraging ones 5. Building up healthy self-esteem, self-confidence and self-forgiveness 6. Becoming more conscious in one’s relationships and transforming them into healthier, more peaceful and more rewarding.

7. Breaking free from recurring harmful experiences (anger, stress, disappointment..etc) 8. Developing truthful and effective tools of communication, and breaking free from abusive relationships While all the programs of Be Yourself projects generally share the above mentioned philosophy, vision, mission and objectives, each of its branches addresses specific target audience with more specific objectives.

www.hfegypt.org

www.facebook.com/groups/TheHumanFoundation Sufism: An Inquiry Vol XVII, No. 3

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International

SWO

Sufi Women Organization

The essence of the human being, regardless of gender or color, time or place, has been regarded as reverent, dignified, and respectful by teachers of humanity. Such magnificence is the gift of Being to humankind, the art of recognizing such magnificence is learned. The foundation of civilization is based on teachings and learning, and the first teacher of any human being, male or female, from any social position or illumination, is a mother. To direct the civilization to a favorable station, one has to rely on the power of a mother, providing that she knows the value of her position. A mother, in fact, is the teacher of all. Underestimating such power and strength, overlooking such magnificence is most unfortunate.

- Dr. Nahid Angha, founder

17 global chapters join now or inquire about starting one for your community Human Rights Women's Rights Children's Welfare Cross Cultural Research Health Care Education Literacy

SufiWomen.org 41

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PA R A B O L A Quarterly Magazine

The Search for Meaning

(128 Highly Illustrated Pages)

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Sufi Women & Faith

with

Jessica Sloan JD The Sufi Women’s Organization hosted a successful and well-attended breakfast on September 17, 2016 in San Rafael, California with human rights attorney, co-founder of #Cut50, and Mayor of Mill Valley, Jessica Jackson Sloan. Jessica gave a very informative and thought provoking talk about her efforts to cut the U.S. prison population in half.

Years ago, Jessica Jackson Sloan’s life and family were significantly affected when her first husband was sent to prison for a non-violent, drug-related offense. Due to his incarceration she became a criminal defense attorney, dedicating her life to ending the death penalty and advocating for human rights. Jessica is now the National Director and Co-Founder of #cut50, a bipartisan effort to cut the U.S. prison population in half. She also currently serves as Mill Valley’s Vice-Mayor and is one of the youngest elected officials in Marin County history.

To start off the event, members of the SWO Program Committee welcomed the audience to the breakfast and spoke about the ongoing global and local humanitarian works of SWO and its founder, Dr. Nahid Angha. The attendees then enjoyed breakfast and conversation with one another. Before she spoke, the audience’s interest in Jessica’s amazing, incredible journey about how she became a human rights activist was piqued by a thoughtful introduction by a member of SWO. Jessica began her presentation with an eye-opening account of how in 2004 she had just given birth to her daughter when her husband was sent to prison. It ripped apart her family both emotionally and financially. It all happened for a non-violent drug related crime. Her husband was sentenced to six years in prison and Jessica was unable to have any contact with him for the first six weeks of his incarceration.

With nowhere to turn, Jessica became determined to find solutions to the injustices she endured. She decided to further her education and become a criminal defense attorney.

Fresh out of law school several years later, Jessica took her first job representing death row inmates in California. She continued to learn how our prison system actually encourages crime by dehumanizing inmates, rather than providing new skill opportunities and the tools needed to integrate back into society

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pictured: Jessica Sloan Mayor, Mill Valley,USA

Frustrated by what she was discovering as she tried to support her clients, Jessica co-founded #Cut50, an initiative of the Dream Corps, with political bi-partisan support; the organization is dedicated to cut the prison population in half in the next ten years. #Cut50 believes that it is possible to reform our criminal justice system and utilize smarter, cheaper and more efficient ways of dealing with crime. One of the accomplishments of #Cut 50 that Jessica is especially proud of is hosting the first Bipartisan Summit on Criminal Justice Reform which was more successful than anticipated, and drew participation from the White House, several members of Congress, three governors, and over 600 advocates, as well as formerly incarcerated people. The event resulted in some unlikely bi-partisan partnership and several criminal justice bills introduced into Congress. Jessica shared that #Cut50 believes it is important to seize the opportunity to tear down walls of injustice to build new hope for millions of people around the country.

We look forward to our next SWO breakfast presentation on March 11, 2017.

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New Release from Ruhaniat Press on Fatima, the Prophet’s youngest daughter,

her life and family.

152 pages

New Release This book is now available for purchase online and through the International Association of Sufism

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Sufism: An

Sarah Hastings Mullin, Ph.D is a licensed psychologist who works with young adults, couples and with families after divorce.

She holds Inquiry Vola second-degree XVII, No. 3 black belt in Aikido.

Sufi Women & Faith

learning for a better tomorrow

with

Patricia Holt On a blustery El Nino Saturday morning, March 5, 2016, the Sufi Women’s Organization hosted a successful and well-attended breakfast in San Rafael, California with author, editor, critic, and radio personality Patricia Holt. Patricia gave a lively and impassioned presentation about “The Publishing Revolution”.

Patricia began her presentation with an eye-opening version of the history of American book publishing, from its beginnings in Colonial Times on the East Coast. This centralization of book publishing in a handful of publishers in the East determined what was and wasn’t published, even as the United States spread across the continent to the West Coast.

Moving forward to the present time, she told us about how in only a few decades, the Internet has created a huge cultural upheaval that is still having disastrous effects on the book and media industries. Patricia told us we have a “revolution” in our midst with the present role of women in what used to be a nearly exclusive male regime, along with the threat of Amazon.com replacing booksellers, and a possibility of facing a future without print-on-paper.

Patricia answered questions from the audience and spoke with attendees. In addition to appreciating the engaging speaker, the attendees all enjoyed a tasty breakfast and lively conversation with one another.

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Report

2016 Annual Inspiration Dinner Honorary Committee: Jonathan Granoff, Chair US Congressman Jared Huffman Marin County Supervisor Judy Arnold Tenshin Reb Anderson Dominican Sisters of San Rafael Mark Fishkin The Rev. Canon Charles Gibbs Nafisa Haji, Ed.D. Denise Lucy, Ph.D. Paul Paz y Mino Robert L. Reynolds The Rev. Carol Saysette Rita Semel Bahman Shirazi, Ph.D. Jack Shoemaker Atossa Soltani Laura Stivers, Ph.D. Mary Kay Sweeney, Ph.D. Craig Watson

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At the Annual Inspiration Dinner, IAS presents its Humanitarian Award to honor an individual whose life and work offer a model of engaged creativity and positive contributions to our community and culture. This year a soldout audience gathered at the Embassy Suites in San Rafael, California, on October 7, to honor the political activist, Zen priest, author, and award winning actor, Peter Coyote, who has been engaged with the international issues of spirituality, human rights and military disarmament throughout his life.

IAS Co-Director and Co-Founder, Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar, opened the program by noting that while the majority of people in the world are seeking a moment of peace, there are leaders who encourage people to divide themselves and to develop suspicion and animosities among the human population. At the same time there are individuals whose hearts have been elevated in the beauty of a Divine Light, Love and Wisdom - they hear the crying of the spirit of humanity and they stand for peace and justice.

These individuals are the treasure of human society and their presence is a blessing. It is these individuals we honor.

The event was facilitated by the spirited film critic and Emmy Award winner Jan Wahl, insuring a lively and enjoyable evening. Opening prayers were offered by IAS member Dr. Soraya Chase Clow (Fatiha) and Tenshin Reb Anderson, the former Abbott from the San Francisco Zen Center. Following a delicious dinner and conversation, members of Taneen Sufi Music Ensemble enchanted the audience with songs inspired by Sufi poetry and chant.

Jan introduced the speakers, each of whom shared their connections and experiences with Peter.

Tenshin Reb Anderson recalled meeting Peter as a Zen practitioner and spoke of turning things around, especially back toward Peter’s practices of listening to silence and cultivating stillness as the foundation from which to be a pioneer and advocate in the global world. National Book Award winner and founding editor of The Whole Earth Catalog, Stewart Brand shared Peter’s wisdom on how success in human conversation is paced and organized around the breath and turning back always to honesty. Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute (GSI), invoked the image of Earthrise as a symbol of our interconnectedness, and shared Peter’s advice to him to “be empty,” to live with authenticity and to understand the unity of all existence.

Dr. Nahid Angha, Co-Director and Co-Founder of IAS, presented the award to Peter Coyote. In her concluding remarks she brought forward the mission of IAS and the purpose of the annual inspiration dinner by invoking passages from Peter Coyote’s new book The Rainman’s Third Cure, in which Peter observes that between Love and Power (the first two cures) is the third option of a spiritual life where a human being can create a foundation from which to develop with balance and understanding to become a presence for good in the world. Peter Coyote provided an acceptance speech by video, thanking IAS, Dr. Angha and Dr. Kianfar for this honor. He noted the close connection he feels with Sufis and everyone present, saying that we are all honoring the “great inexplicable.” He accepted the award, seeing himself as a temporary symbol, much as a wave that rises to have form for a while then returns to the ocean. Jonathan Granoff accepted the award on his behalf.

There are so many beautiful and different paths through life and we seek to promote a culture that is diverse, energetic and inspiring, by setting aside a night each year to honor and celebrate a unique individual whose example shows us that anything is possible and everyone can make a difference.

(Above): Peter Coyote (From L to R): Jan Wahl, Stewart Brand, Rona Weintraub, Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar, Jonathan Granoff, Dr. Nahid Angha.

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Reflections

Love is Everywhere

by Musa Muhaiyaddeen

Understand that the world around us is filled with opposition, with opposing opinions. When opinions differ this creates a situation of opposition, of difficulty. Whenever we have two or more people together that can happen. In the West we call it politics, a polite way to describe people vying for control, for supremacy. This is something which occurs at both the highest and lowest levels, situations arise between two people, among three, a dozen or among millions. Groups form around ideologies which oppose each other.

Those on the path to God are not known to oppose, they slip through without being engaged by opposition. How can we do this, how can we be released from all the trauma, the anxiety, the difficulties of opposition and conflict? Everyone talks about love, some even preach love, but it is no simple matter. Romantic love is one kind of love, but people say they love many things. They love their country, they love their language, their society, their place in society, they love their wife, their work, their car, their dog. Love is everywhere, the kind of love which is like a magnet, love which attracts or repels. When our elemental self wants something we draw things to us, we want them to be attached to us, to be identified with us and we love them. Our elemental self is connected to those things of the elements we want, we want them to be attracted to the elements within us, and we call that love.

God is not of the elements. He is not in any way composed of elements. God is without any elements, without form. Let us think of a love which is not elemental, not magnetic or attracting, think instead of a love which bypasses the elements, allowing mercy and compassion. It bypasses without opposition because it is not connected to anything elemental, there is no conflict, the nonelemental is not in conflict with the elemental. The elemental might not even know it is there, cannot recognize it, see it or understand it. Those who live exclusively in a world defined by the elements are confused by this, they know only that there is something different, but they do not know why,

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they do not recognize when something nonelemental passes through their elements.

We should distinguish the elemental aspects of love, so-called love, from the nonelemental aspects of love and attune ourselves to the nonelemental love. This is a quality of God, a quality we should strive for, an understanding we need to strive for. When this nonelemental love, this nonmagnetic love which neither pulls nor pushes and has no expectations, when this love is active extraordinary things happen, not only to ourselves but to those around us. When we have this love, when we understand the difference between elemental love and God’s love which is not attached to the world, not attached to illusion, then mercy and compassion exist, the world begins to change.

There is greatness in this immensely powerful love which cannot be seen. One divinely sanctified being filled with such love can change a whole country.

To do that we have to watch ourselves, we have to create an inner witness who truthfully examines our actions, an honest witness, a witness with knowledge, with the wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong. When that witness sees an inappropriate action it says stop, I see what you are doing, and we must respond in an appropriate way. That witness is our conscience, our inner teacher. If the witness is sufficiently developed, if we keep out of its way, the witness can be that nonelemental love which knows right and wrong. When we turn to our inner witness, we understand through wisdom how to act appropriately, we are no longer influenced by the world.

We should develop our witness, the conscience, which watches and says yes when things are appropriate and no when they are not. It must be steady and consistent. God will support this effort; for every step we take towards Him, He takes ten steps towards us. If we ask Him, if we pray to Him, He will help us. We must set the intention and then pray for this. May He make this intention fruitful and answer our prayers.

Excerpt from Chapter One, titled “Love is Everywhere� of Volume Two of The Elixir of Truth, Inner Dimensions.

Maha Gohar

Architect and Designer Vice President of World Craft Council (WCC) for North Africa Owner & President of The Tao Center www.mahagohar.com

MahaGoharDesigns

Musa Muhaiyaddeen is a direct disciple of the contemporary Sufi Sheik M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen. He is co-president of the Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship. His books, The Elixir of Truth, Volume One, Journey on the Sufi Path, and The Elixir of Truth, Volume Two, Inner Dimensions, are available on Amazon.

You may also listen to Musa Muhaiyaddeen’s recorded discourses online at: www.thewitnesswithin.com.

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40 Days Practice

SALAT: FINDING THE ONLY MIRROR IN WHICH TO SEE THE REALITY OF BEING 40 Days is a cycle for spiritual advancement and renewal by Matthew Davis, PhD

The most unknown person is a person’s own self. People think they may know themselves, and yet in every mirror they look they see themselves differently. Even in the same mirror, as the angle of light changes the reflection also changes, and the image of your self appears different. What people see also changes as they change the angle and position of their head, form the dilating movement of their pupils and even by the constantly changing sensory tones of their thoughts and emotions. And when people look around at the world, everything they see, hear and touch is a reflection of their own self as the extension of their perception; and it, the world, is all also always changing. Human beings become so attached to the reflection of what they see of themselves, and yet it is always changing and never actually what is reality at all.

In fact, all the human being ever sees is a changing reflection. And since it is the case that you never actually see yourself, then you cannot ever make any claim ultimately about yourself. You cannot even see your own face with confidence of what is seen. If people want to know who they are they must look to find a totally new direction (not outwardly) where they can see the self, stable, unchanging and as they truly are. And they must drop every other claim they have ever tried to make.

The mirrors in which you look and try to make claims about your self are everywhere, and they act as a response to your attitudes and actions in the world. People’s attitudes are the projector for what is visible to them, and

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from the teachings of Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar

The path of life has simple and yet complicated ways.

– Moulana Shah Maghsoud (Psalms of Gods, 8)

Ultimately, it is “you” whom you are searching for: the book of the Divine, and the true essence of your being is the Divinity within you: so worship not the unknown, but find the truth of Being within.

- Nahid Angha, PhD

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their actions in any direction produce the reflections that they see. Over time, they become invested further and further into these mirrors through the quality of their greed and desire to have and to be things (forms of self-importance in relation to others). In this way, who they claim to be becomes extended into the world. And as they extend into the world in this way, the mirrors begin to control and manage the human being. Their claims about who they think they are become their prisons. And then when the body dies, there is nothing left; the human being has become fully divested into the mirrors to which that being had been consumed through a short, constantly changing and unstable life.

Fundamentally, the reason for looking in any mirror is to understand the self and self-value, but constantly this effort has been to find this value and knowledge externally where there is nothing stable upon which to rely or to invest one’s identity. Instead of looking into the mirrors all around, return to where is the mirror that is your true and unchanging self. In Sufism this is what is hidden in the meaning of the word salat, to be in the straight line with one’s own true reflection. Salat for a Sufi is not at all in the customs or rituals of religion, philosophy or society. In Sufism, it is a specific practice and very clear journey (for the salek) within, and toward the primordial ground of being (Fitra/Ummi).

In this way, we must learn to understand and listen for the language of the Divine, where it cannot be converted into any other language (English, Arabic, Hebrew, Latin, or otherwise), or even written down.

Until arriving at fitra and in the language of the Divine, the human being stays in the stage of the animal looking into the world of mirrors, as if living in a cage. It is said about people in the holy books of The Holy Qur’an, Bible and Torah: They have eyes but cannot see They have ears but cannot hear They stay in the stage of animal It is the case that the people have not entered into the stage where knowledge is in the heart. So enter the heart, wait in the heart, and learn the patience to discover the knowledge and reflection of your true being. Search for your heart. It is a practice and we all have to try it. You may think it is easy, but when you try it you see how complicated in fact it is.

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Remember, every mirror in which you look, you see something different. And everywhere you look is a mirror. This is not a story or a philosophy. It is a fact. And it is a practice to find the mirror in which you can see your true reflection. One’s value is in the immediate transformation of being by way of a knowledgeable teacher who is seeded in the unchanging reality of the heart and at the primordial foundation of existence. A “true teacher” is the reflection of your self beyond all images, ideas and claims. People are always looking for value externally, but the true value of human being is turned in a different direction (not outwardly) toward an immediate transformation by knowledge and understanding in the language of the Divine and in the reflection of a true teacher. The mirror that is the teacher tells you the reality of how you actually look, and what you have to do.

In Sufism, to practice this, say “la illaha” with deep intention and patience, and then wait for “illallah”.

Set all your attention on the one mirror where is the unity of mind and heart. That is praying (salat).

The channel of the body has already been set for you. The senses reach into the world, but they also shake you to return and find your way back by salat to the primordial foundation of your being. Some people are satisfied with the senses, not knowing or admitting to their selves the cage in which they live. Some people want more. Bismallah al-Rahman al-Rahim begins every chapter of The Holy Qur’an. It means every being is rooted to the most merciful and most gracious. And it becomes the goal of life to follow the channel already set within the human being back to the mirror where is your true self. By a true teacher’s mercy this becomes possible, and a true salek becomes dedicated to the mercy of that teacher. Alhamdulillah.

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Disregard all that does not belong to you.

Remember that no one can take from you what is yours. Even nature cannot take it, because life is established beyond nature.

Remove the weeds Before you plant the seed.

Purify first, then meditate.

Otherwise you meditate on impurities.

Only the pure can be companions of the pure. Who can be a companion of the Prophet Jesus or the Prophet Mohammad?

When you are a slave to bad habits, fight back and cleanse yourself of them.

Continuously work on yourself and fight any weakness.

In the past, people were closer to nature and family, they planted tress and watched them grow. They drank in the beauty of the stars. The way of the pure and simple is the way of God. Through purification you arrive at aloneness, astonishment and an emptiness that can fill up with God.

selections from Seasons of the Soul 55

Sufism: An Inquiry Vol XVII, No. 3

study and practice Ongoing monthly groups in Palo Alto and the East Bay

Introduction to Sufism led by Sheikh Jamal-eddin Lawrence Granick, Ph.D.

We will begin with basic practices and studying the teachings of Sufi masters Seyyedeh Nahid Angha, Ph.D. and Shah Nazar Seyyed Ali Kianfar, Ph.D. Dr. Granick is a senior student of Uwaiysi Sufism under the guidance of Dr. Angha and Dr. Kianfar.

To learn more, please contact me at (510) 559-9284 or jamalg@sbcglobal.net

rocky valley AIKIDO DOJO We are a traditional Japanese martial arts school. We have a comprehensive approach to teaching open handed, sword and staff techniques. We practice to develop balance, strength, flexibility and power by unifying our body and mind. We explore the way of reconciling conflict by encouraging balance and harmony. This is why Aikido is often called ‘The Art of Peace’.

Instructor: Jalal Brian Heery, PhD Fifth Degree Black Belt 190 S. Whisman Rd. Bldg. B Mountain View, CA 94041 www.rvdojo.org rvdojo1@gmail.com

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Susan W Lambert photography

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Do you know what love is?

Love is leaving “me,” “we,” And all claims of “being” behind.

Destroying all desire and beauty In the Creator of Beauty.

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Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi From Divan-i Kebir 2 translated by Nevit O. Ergin

Sufi Biographies

Dr. Nevit Oguz Ergin 1928-2015

by: Millicent Alexander

In Memoriam

Nevit Ergin was a member and familiar speaker at the annual Conference of the International Association of Sufism, an organization for which he was especially grateful.

Ergin devoted his life to the spiritual path of Itlak Yolu, the same path as Mevlana Jalaluddi Rumi, a path outside of Islamic Sufism, having affinities with Buddhism and the Shamanism of Central Asia from the time of Ghengis Khan. The path emphasizes direct experience, acknowledging that everything else remains in the realm of opinion and gossip.

Ergin was a Turkish-born plastic surgeon who had five children, three boys and two girls. He completed his medical studies in Canada and practiced plastic surgery in Michigan and Southern California. Once retired, he moved first back to Turkey, then to Northern California where he concentrated exclusively on his translations and writing, sharing the Itlak practices with aspirants of the Itlak path.

Hasan Lutfi Shushud (1901-1988), a Saint and Master of Wisdom who lived in Turkey, introduced Ergin to Itlak Yolu and Rumi in 1955. Shushud subsequently became Ergin’s life-long friend.

Ergin is the only person to have translated into English Rumi’s entire Divan-i Kebir–44,000 verses in 22 volumes. He also translated all 2,217 of Rumi’s rubais (quatrains) – the Rubailer of Rumi (to be made available soon). His translations are not word-by-word, but rather reflect the essence of Rumi’s words. He authored a book of short stories, Tales of a Modern Sufi.

Another of his works, The Sufi Path of Annihilation, includes poetry of Rumi, sayings by Hasan Shushud, questions and answers about the Itlak path, as well as Ergin’s own stories. Other works include Forbidden Rumi and Insane with Love (with Will Johnson), Crazy as We Are, Rose Garden, Magnificent One, Glory of Absence, and Divine Wine. His final book, completed just before his passing, is entitled Unknown Rumi.

He spent over 60 years of his life “trying to get rid of this earth before it gets rid of me.” He died at the age of 87 in July 2015.

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Poetry: Abdal-Hayy The piece of coal that wanted to be diamond said to the earth: Press me.

POEM SELECTION FROM BLIND BEEKEEPER PIECE OF COAL

The succulent grape that wanted to be wine said to the feet: Crush me.

The cloud that wanted to be thunder and rain said to a facing cloud: Collide with me.

The mountain that wanted to be level valley said to the elements: Erode me.

The oyster that wanted to produce a pearl said to a sand-grain: Irritate me.

The heart that wanted to be filled with light said to the world: Break me.

So what’s the surprise at the onslaught, the relentless avalanche after avalanche of rose petals in the form of insurance payments, natural disasters, arthritis, heart trouble and death?

Rose petals big as houses propelling through the air at us like the shields of Hussars which leave us flat on the battlefield dazed, but then they assume their rose petal shapes again piled in drifts around our prostrate bodies, so that if our prostrate bodies are taken away there’ll be the perfect outlines of the absolute blessings that have showered upon us like the chalk outlines of forensic destiny O our lives cry out to be pressed to diamond, call out to be crushed to wine, sing out to be made to fall as merciful rain all around us, our mountains cry out to be worn down to passable valleys so we can fill those valleys with heart’s light for other travelers to see by.

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Here is Abdal Hayy’s last poem which miraculously connects with the beginning line of his first book of poetry from 1964 - Dawn Visions, published

by City Light Books. Written March 13, 2016:

A pearlescent papyrus appeared out of sheer nothingness! held over an abyss of brilliance whose writing was lightning and whose speech was an ocean of silence articulate to the last wave dissolve against a sizzling night of deepest blackness innermostly and outermostly manifest as light in our eyes and hearts in Allah’s Perfect sight for ever

And one he shared personally: FANCY DANCER The cancer I’ve been dancing with (and cancer’s a fancy dancer) has overcome its scruples and wants to marry me.

I’ve rebuffed it once or twice now but its piteous face puckers and tears fill its eyes with the thought of losing me.

I’m almost past objecting so I must take some time (not to think it over — no time for that) but to prepare for our love bed in the depths of our deepest love nest in as great a comfort as possible for the long duration ma-salaama Abdal-Hayy

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Sufi Biographies

Daniel Abdal Hayy Moore July 30, 1940-April 18, 2016

Respectfully shared with Gratitude by: Ahamed Muhaiyaddeen

With his children, Farid Sanders and Salihah Moore Kirby, and loving wife, companion and best friend Malika Moore (1987)

Sufism: An Inquiry Vol XVII, No. 3

In Memoriam

Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore passed away peacefully on April 18th 2016, at his home in Philadelphia.

He was a warm and loyal brother to many. Our dear brother Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore served the Highest through the gifts The Highest gave him. He immersed himself in submission to His Lord in the tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (May Peace Be Upon Him) and cooked his being in the practices of Islam in order to taste the source of sweetness and “fill those valleys with heart’s light for other travelers to see by.”

His heart was opened by the blessing of Shayk ibn al-Habib of Morocco. His parth was illumined by the guidance of Qutb Bawa Muhaiyaddeen. All these and many more blessing were poured by Allah’s grace.

He moved to Philadelphia several decades ago because there is a fire for cooking oneself there, the Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship. He served by being true to his Lord and himself and thus an honest friend to so many brothers and sisters of a grand variety of life styles both sacred and profane. In other words, he lived by the inner voice of truth which always manifests in beautiful embracing qualities of love’s miracle, joy in the service of life.

His poetry was like bundles of seeds which he tossed with such profusion that their glory will not be known until time allows many gardens to blossom from the fecundity. These comments in honor of our departed brother begin with a poem that tells the “why” he found and ends with a short version of the “how” and the treasure to be known.

His journey generated many magnificent works of inspired art and each one has many dimensions. One day scholars will read his work and become mystics.

Don’t believe me? Go here and listen: https://ecstaticxchange.wordpress.com/ And if that is not enough go here and read: http://ecstaticxchange.com/ I suggest that you read aloud. Imagine, sometimes he recited with an auto harp. Imagine, sometimes he recited and entered the poems resonance and invited you to join him. Our brother is buried next to the Mazaar of Bawa Muhaiyaddeen. May the Infinite Bounty of Allah’s Wondrous Grace and Perfection be his forever. Ameen.

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Poetry: Abdal-Hayy You start early you’re nobody’s fool You set out on foot no snow will stop you Shapes in the mist statues of warriors Arms raised and weapons

POEM SELECTION FROM THE SOUL’S HOME THE PATH

You’re undaunted no footprints before you You make your way Wolf howls echo Breath becomes audible suddenly interior You’re walking inwardly Sounds of footfalls You’re in the immaterial A realm opens before you traversed by saints before you Now the way is clearer though deep obscurity reigns A landscape becomes sharper deep colors appear Rich greens and bright blues echoes resounding around you A path like glass or amber cuts through the night like a flare The black background of space dazzles with its uncanny plethora of stars Your heart’s a steady beacon your forehead’s an unwavering beam It’s not where you’re going that’s wonderful but the glory of where you are No light can compare with this brilliance nor description match its beauty

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A magnificent wanderer’s become you breathless in a place of wonder Who’s coming towards you in silence?

Who are these walking with you?

It’s not that their faces are obscured their sheer radiance is blinding A voice is actually calling you A sound of clopping horse hooves You’re in a valley of light Shapes of things are their meanings speaking into the ears of your heart suspended invisibly in space in which knowledges are constantly pouring inexpressible on human lips understood in the land of this dwelling before and after words are spoken As the sky’s planets shimmer their rainbows and swirl their borealis glows The dimensions open even further as if flowers bloomed backwards into being Words are gone and God’s Presence mingles What was thought is true His embrace surrounds you The impalpable becomes palpable the conceived inconceivable Crows fly in a blue sky Yellow fields roll forward What’s before you is behind you collapsing all around you Who comes towards you is for you alone

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for your safe invitation to leave it all behind you each moment before you from the tip of you to the soul of you moving ever within you each step ringing true each gesture a worthy one each silence a vocabulary of unimpeachable significance the air parting around you The way forward abounding nothing left of barriers that really never existed nothing left but to be in the constant company of companions of sublimity as simple as a rooster crowing the dawns awake all life’s light converging just as it’s dispersing to its place of purest origin in the golden curve of His Hands suspended just as our hearts are in this life-extinguishing air our houses all dissolving into their constituent atoms our relationships all dissolving into their innermost resonances We’re going ahead now without them their cloaks whirl away completely

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It’s a sound of rushing water over rocks made slippery by time Who’s there can’t be named as alive but never before as alive as now This is what living was made for this vivid incomparable sweetness raining incessantly inside you no further fire can extinguish it imprinted as firmly on your heart as when you were first conceived This splendor more splendid than silvery skies stretched out on every horizon this shapeless shape that awaits you now that you’ve passed beyond imprecation to be called back to anything lesser as indelible as your veins turned inside-out in the next world vividly present in this one standing on the road you began on even before you set out morning birds in the silence crickets quiet in daylight Your sudden presence multiplied into one beating heart in silence not yours alone in time but God’s invisibly whispering

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Sufi Biographies

HE INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE UFI MOVEMENT NTERNATIONAL TH EADQUARTERS OF THE SUFI MSOVEMENT

In Memoriam

of:

Office of the Representatives-General

Office of the Representatives-General THE INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE SUFI MOVEMENT

THE INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE SUFI MOVEMENT Office of the Representatives-General To the kind attention of:

Date:

THE INTERNATIONAL H EADQUARTERS OF THE S UFI M OVEMENT

Office of the Representatives-General

Hidayat Inayat-Khan Hidayat Inayat-Khan

To the kind attention of:

To the kind attention of:

Hidayat Inayat-Khan

Office of the Representatives-General

August 6 1917 – September 12 2016

Date:

Date:

Date:

Inayat-Khan

Date: O Sufi, didHidayat you know August 6 1917 – September 12 2016 Hidayat Inayat-Khan Inner School is like being on a ship August 6 1917that –the September 12on2016 August 1917is –sailing September 2016 with which6Hidayat one the12 great waters of Inayat-Khan Love, Harmony and Beauty, O Sufi, didAugust you know 6 1917 – September 12 2016 guided by the compass of being the Spirit that the Inner School is like on aofship O Sufi, did you know Guidance, and driven by the energy of of O Sufi, did you know with which one is sailing on great that the Innerdid School is like being on a shipwaters O Sufi, you know Spiritual Liberty, heading toward the goal of Love, Harmony and with which one is sailing onBeauty, the great waters of that the Inner School is like being on a ship that the Inner School is like being on a ship the annihilation of theofego, whereof one may by the the Spirit Love,guided Harmony andcompass Beauty, with which one is sailing on the great waters of with which one is sailing on the great waters of begin at last to realize Guidance, and driven by the energy of guided by the compassand of the Spirit of Love, Harmony Beauty, thatand theLiberty, sailor isby a the ray energy oftoward the Divine Presence, Spiritual heading of Guidance, driven of theofgoal Love, Harmony and Beauty, guided by the compass of the Spirit sailing in the past, present and future on the Liberty, annihilation of the ego, where one Spiritual heading toward the goal ofmay the Guidance, and driven by the energy of guided by the compass of the Spirit of waves of of our illusions. begin at last tothe realize the annihilation ego, where one may Spiritual Liberty, toward thePresence, goal of that the sailor is a heading ray of of the Divine Guidance, and driven bylast the energy beginthe at to realize annihilation ofpresent the ego,and where oneon may sailing in isthe past, future the that the sailor a to ray of the Divine Presence, begin at last realize Spiritual Liberty, heading toward the goal of waves of our illusions. sailingthat in the past, present and future on the the sailor a ray of children the Divine Hidayat Inayat-Khan, theillusions. last ofisthe four of Presence, Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan and the annihilation ofwaves thesailing ego, where one may of our in the past, present and future on the Amina Begum, passed away in Munich on September 12, 2016. Murshid Hidayat was a begin at last to realize waves of our illusions. musician, a composer whose works continue to be played by orchestras around the world, and a tirelessInayat-Khan, worker for of thethe Sufi brought by his father. Murshid Hidayat was Khan a senior lastMessage of the four children of Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat andfigure that theHidayat sailor is a ray the Divine Presence, of the Sufi Movement for decades, and made many journeys around the globe to visit groups, to Amina Begum, passed away in Munich on September 12, 2016.Hazrat Murshid Hidayat Hidayat Inayat-Khan, the last of and the four children of the Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khanwas anda sailing in the past, present future on inspire and to teach.

HeMunich served for many years as the sole leader and Pir-o-Murshid of the musician, apassed composer workson continue to be12, played byMurshid orchestras around theaworld, andSufi a Amina Begum, awaywhose in September 2016.

Hidayat was Hidayat Inayat-Khan, the last of thebrought four children of Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan and Movement, a title he held reluctantly, and one that he finally retired out of respect for his waves of our illusions. tireless worker for the Sufi Message by his father.

Murshid Hidayat was a senior figure musician, a composer whose works continue to be played by orchestras around the world, and a Amina Begum, passed away in can Munich on September 12, when 2016.

Murshid Hidayat was aunder to father.

Only few Message mureeds nowby remember time the Movement was not his of worker the Sufi Movement for decades, and made around thewas globe to visit groups, tireless for theaSufi brought his many father.ajourneys Murshid Hidayat a senior figure musician, a composer whose works continue to be played by orchestras around the world, and a guidance, and through his efforts it has changed dramatically.

Murshid Hidayat will be and to teach.

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Murshid Hidayat was a senior figure remembered for many perhaps foremost among them was unique Movement, a title heldqualities, reluctantly, and onethe that finally retired out of his respect forcombination his inspire and to teach.

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Only a few mureeds can now a time when the Movement histo Movement, a title he held reluctantly, and one that he finally retired out of respect for his inspire andand to teach. for many years as the sole leader and Pir-o-Murshid the Sufi guidance, throughHe hisserved efforts it has changed Murshid Hidayat will of behis father.

Only a few mureeds can now remember a timedramatically. when the Movement was not under Movement, a title he held reluctantly, and one that he finally retired out of respect for his Murshid Hidayat survived bybut hisperhaps wife Aziza, by hisamong daughter Inayat, hisunique sonbe Gayan, and many han, the last of four children of Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan and remembered for many qualities, foremost them was his combination guidance, andthe through hisis efforts it has changed dramatically.

Murshid Hidayat will father.

Only a fewand mureeds can now remember a time when the Movement wasbut notmemories under his and grandchildren.

In keeping with his wishes, there will be no funeral ceremony, of energy, dignity humour. remembered for many on qualities, but perhaps12, foremost among them was his unique combination assed away in Munich September 2016.

Murshid Hidayat guidance, and through his efforts it has changed dramatically.

Murshid Hidayat was will bea condolences may be sent to <memorial1917@gmail.com> of energy, dignity and humour. for many qualities, but perhaps foremost among them washis hisson unique combination oser whoseremembered worksHidayat continue to be played by orchestras around the world, and a Murshid is survived by his wife Aziza, by his daughter Inayat, Gayan, and many of energy, dignity and humour. grandchildren.

In keeping with hisfather. wishes,bythere will be noInayat, funeralhis ceremony, memories and Murshid Hidayatbrought is survived by wife Aziza, his daughter sonwas Gayan, and manyfigure the Sufi Message byhis his Murshid Hidayat abutsenior condolences may be sent to <memorial1917@gmail.com> In keeping with his wishes, there will be no funeral ceremony, but memories and Murshid Hidayat is survived by his journeys wife Aziza, byaround his daughter his son Gayan,groups, and many to ment forgrandchildren. decades, and made many theInayat, globe to visit condolences may be sent to <memorial1917@gmail.com> grandchildren. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no funeral ceremony, but memories and To the kind attention of:

August 6, 1917- September 12, 2016

ch. He served for many years as the sole leader and Pir-o-Murshid of the Sufi condolences may be sent to <memorial1917@gmail.com> O R G :

he held reluctantly, and one that he finally retired out of respect for his 24 Banstraat, 2517 G J Den Haag, Netherlands w mureeds Tel. +31 (0) 70 365 76 64 can now remember a time when the Movement was not under his e-mail : sufihq@xs4all.nl

R : Murshid Hidayat will be ough his Oefforts it hasG changed dramatically.

R :

24 Banstraat, 2517 G J Den Haag, Netherlands many Oqualities, butG perhaps foremost among them was his unique combination Tel. +31 (0) 70 365 76 64 69 24 Banstraat, 2517 G J Den Haag, Netherlands Sufism: No. 3 O RAn Inquiry G Vol XVII, :

e-mail : sufihq@xs4all.nl

and humour.

Tel. +31 (0) 70 365 76 64 FFICE EPRESENTATIVES ENERAL

FFICE EPRESENTATIVES ENERAL

FFICE EPRESENTATIVES ENERAL

FFICE EPRESENTATIVES ENERAL

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Literature Review

HAKIM SANAI’S THE ENCLOSED GARDEN OF THE TRUTH

TRANSLATION BY M.J. STEPHENSON ARRANGED, INTERPRETED & EDITED

BY KIERON D. MOORE

About Kieron D. Moore: Born on Tyneside, UK 1962. A family of six. I went to a local government school. From an early age my talent was as a handyman. My teacher at age 11 called me Mr Fix. Upon leaving school at 16 I began an apprenticeship in construction which I studied to A level.

I worked at that for just a couple of years before I left UK to work as a volunteer in Africa (1985) where I taught Masonry and did other building and water development jobs till 1997. I decided to go back to UK to live. I married my wife Nancy in 2002 whom I met in Africa and had our child Matthew 2007. We then moved back to Africa.

I heard of the Sufis whilst there from a Muslim TV station. Unfortunately things didn’t work out as we had hoped there and we returned to UK 2009.

Since returning I have moved my concerns from material buildings to the spiritual development of which Sanai book (and its repair) has been a large part.

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The Enclosed Garden of the Truth

reviewed

by Salim Matchette:

Kieron D. Moore has rendered a true service in resurrecting and editing the M.J. Stephenson translations of Hakim Sanai’s The Enclosed Garden of the Truth. Stephenson, who published the work in prose form in 1910, acknowledged at the time that his translation was completed over a long period of time resulting in “passages that are doubtless misplaced.” Stephenson even hesitated to publish the work knowing it lacked cohesion, but decided to publish it as is rather than wait “for a continuous period of leisure which may never come.”

Moore attempts to reinterpret Stephenson’s translation, particularly restoring the poetic form of the original. In addition he adds and revises references and research notes making use of modern research tools not available to Stephenson. He also revises the placement of section and lines he believes better followed the general feel and flow of Sanai’s poetry.

However, the most important service Moore renders is by bringing this work back to the attention of Sufi scholars, practitioners, and the general public. Considered one of the masterpieces of Persian Sufi literature, Sanai has been compared to and said to have influenced Jalalu’d-Din Rumi. (In fact, Rumi describes himself as walking in the wake of Sanai and Attar). The breath of Sanai’s spiritual commentary is remarkable and forms a teaching of Sufism by the poet-sage. While it is beyond the scope of this book review to delve deeply into the work itself, the following passage is representative of his thought: The temporal world He has given of His bounty to the body; The spiritual world as a glory to the soul; that both inner and outer man may receive food

This book is a kind of spiritual food to be savored by those who want to know more about the inner meaning of Sufism.

415-472-6959

for more info call: OR visit our website at: www.ias.org For complete list of presenters, topics, biographies, and online registration please visit:

http://ias.org/programs/sufismsymposium/

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“On the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples...”

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The International Association of Sufism is a non-profit organization, and a DPI/NGO associated with the United Nations. As an active human rights advocate, IAS disseminates information focused on Human Rights, Social Justice, Education, Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rights offered and organized by the United Nations.

For the most up to date information visit: http://ias.org/service/unitednations/

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Save the date

High Level Event

Accelerating Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Africa

Official Africa Human Development Report 2016 Presentation Permanent Observer Thursday Mission of the African Union to the UN 3 PM October

13th

2016

4:30 PM

Key speakers

Key Issues

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5th Floor

305 East 47th Street 3 Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza

The objective of the dialogue is to engage with policy makers and representatives of youth, women’s organisations, research/academic institutions, private sector and civil society: • To discuss findings of the report on the progress of human development in Africa and barriers to gender equality; • To identify strategic and transformative policies and actions to deliver inclusive and sustainable human development outcomes in relation to health, education, peace and security, agriculture, economic empowerment and women’s political participation and representation; • To showcase successful initiatives in each area, policies, institutional and social factors that have overcome social and institutional barriers to women’s empowerment • To explore partnership opportunities for accelerated implementation of Agenda 2063 and the Global Goals for gender equality and sustainable human development.

Abdoulaye Mar Dieye Assistant Administrator and Director, UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) H.E. Mr. Abdallah Wafy Chair of the African Group Jeanne d’Arc Byaje Permanent Representative (a.i.), Rwanda H.E. Mrs. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee Permanent Representative, Ghana H.E. Ms. Ambroisine Kpongo Permanent Representative, Central African Republic (tbc) Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki Chief Executive Officer, NEPAD Prof. Ndioro Ndiaye Coordinator, Réseau Femmes Africaines Leaders pour la Paix et le Développement, AfHDR Advisory Group Dr. Jeni Klugman Harvard Kennedy School, AfHDR Advisory Group

RSVP to: james.neuhaus@undp.org

Moving forward together: Leaving no

WORLD A I D S D AY 2016 SPECIAL EVENT

one behind

“Our mission is to build a better world. To leave no one behind. To stand for the poorest and the most vulnerable in the name of global peace and social justice. We have a lot to learn from the AIDS response. One by one people stood up for science, human rights and the empowerment of all those living with HIV. And this is how we will end the epidemic: by moving forward together.”

UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL, BAN KI-MOON

Join UNAIDS for a special event to commemorate World AIDS Day and the commitment to move forward together to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The event will also honour the leadership of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his legacy of leaving no one behind in the response to HIV. 11:00 AM–12:00 PM WEDNESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 2016 TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL CHAMBER UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS EVENT AND DO NOT HAVE A VALID UN GROUNDS PASS, RSVP HERE. Sufism: An Inquiry

Vol XVII, No. 3

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99 Names

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Qur’an, 30:50: Behold, then, these signs of God’s grace -how He gives life to the earth after it had been lifeless! Verily, this same God is indeed the One that can bring the dead back to life: for He has the power to will anything.

Al-Muhyi the Bestower of Life

The name Al-Muhyi describes that aspect of divine energy that brings all of creation into being. An inexhaustible source, it gives to each creation that creation’s specific degree of life. This divine vital energy is that from which all creation arises. All of creation is dependent on this source and cannot separate from connection with its provider.

Giver of Life It is difficult to not find the fullness in the emptiness or the emptiness in the fullness.

So, really, there you are, in everything.

A small seed sprouting young branches into the cracks of already established life is only soon to dry and crackle into the embers of new beginning… that is really only ending.

Your power frightens and amazes, constantly repeating and demanding the pattern without mistake or exception.

Please… help me to find myself as the cycle itself instead of a passing element, broken down into parts.

prepared from the teachings of

Shah Nazar Seyyed Ali Kianfar, Ph.D.

by Sarah Hastings Mullin, Ph.D.

Illumination of the Names: Meditation by Sufi Masters on the Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names of God. Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar. 2011: International Association of Sufism Publications.

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