Author Archives: DHO-Admin 1

DHO Letter

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Most beloved of God,

Much love and blessings to you from all of us in Virginia. Much has passed since my last letter: My mother is taking more and more of my conscious attention; in addition, it is an interesting juggling act attempting to keep my travel schedule during this time, and still keep a business solvent.

After a number of phone calls requesting my schedule I decided to print it out.

April 4th to 7th: Kansas City – Federation of the Sufi Message Meeting.
May 8th to 11th: Charlottesville – Mid Atlantic Sufi Camp.
May 26th to June 1st: Shneda Gathering – North Germany – our 19th year
June 15th to 21st: DHO East Coast —> Cancelled
June 28th – July 7th: SRI Europe – North Germany
September 12th to 14th: Prague DHO
October 20th to 26th Murshids Meeting and JAM: Seattle

This is all Inshallah! But, I am hopeful that God allows.

And, a final note on the current war:
It is even more imperative now to manifest Peace within ourselves. Without an inner Peace, how can we offer to the world at large what we ourselves lack? How can we demand from others what we ourselves are missing?

The practice that I strongly suggest is the Maha Mudra – start with the 3 Jannas and move outwards. Not only was this one of Murshid S.A.M.’s offerings to the world, but was used successfully by Wavy Gravy and the Hog Farm to bring Peace to their valley.

The Absent Healing Ritual can and will bring peace to any area that it is preformed in. This is the foundation of doing the Ritual in Places of Great Suffering. It will also open and strengthen the hearts of all those who are themselves open to its blessings.

As the Lord Buddha taught, “Once perception starts evaluating any experience as good or bad, one sees the world in a distorted way because of one’s old, blind reactions,”

I send you all my love and blessings and wish you only Peace within and without.

Yours in Service to the Real,
Hakim Sauluddin
March 31, 2003

2003 Meetings

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Dear DHO Family,

I am sorry to say that we must cancel the DHO Gathering this year. There is just too much happening in my life to organize it. My apologies.

However, there is an alternative for those with a taste for travel: Haus Shneida DHO Gathering – May 26th (Monday) to June 1st (Sunday) 2003. The timing is very auspicious, as it is the best time to eat the local white asparagus – we call it ‘spargle’ time – yummy.

The location is in North Germany – between Hamburg and Hanover. The house is fantastic – our Godfather, Pir Hidayat Inayat Khan, calls it Camp Wonderland. Pricing is very moderate. The food is fabulous, as is the setting, location and general ambiance. And wait until you meet our family from Germany, Russia, Holland, and the Czech Republic. You will be welcomed with open arms.

The teaching crew will be: David Dalley (dance), Scott Sattler (choir), Ananda Cronin (sung zikr), Subhan Spencer (photography), Hakim Saul (healing ritual, walks, Zikr Allah).

For more information please contact: Neli & Martin Kuechler

all love and blessings, and again my apologies for this years cancellation – hopefully we shall see you amidst the trees and the greenery

hakim saul

Murshid’s Urs – A Remembrance

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Most Beloved one’s of God,

On the 32nd Urse of Murshid S.A.M. I felt moved to share a story from my time with him.

It was on our (Murshid, Mansur, myself & Wuta) trip to see his Uncle Harry in British Columbia, and we had made a number of stops along the way: Mt Shasta, where we just missed Mother Mary, Klamath Falls, where we met Auntie Helen and drove around Crater Lake, and passing through Portland, where he commented that he had always wanted to live in that city but God wouldn’t let him, and onto the Seattle area where we met Samcher Beorse, and where this reminiscence takes place.

It is 1970, and the local Sufi’s had booked a Unitarian Church for a welcoming gathering for him. Do remember that most of the Sufis who were around then were either direct disciples of Hazrat Inayat Khan or came to Sufism at a much earlier time then either Mansur or myself.

So, there we were at the podium, Mansur and me standing close to Murshid and him looking at the audience of mostly older people. Samcher introduces him at Pir-O-Murshid Samuel Lewis, and Murshid went ballistic — “I am a Murshid,” he sputtered. “Only Inayat Khan is Pir-O-Murshid.”

Samcher mumbles an apology, and Murshid starts with the invocation and then led the audience in the prayers Saum, Salat & Khatum.

There was short silence, and then Murshid exploded at them: “You have been doing these prayers for almost 50 years, and you still don’t get it.” He then had Mansur and me demonstrate some of the walks he had taught us, as an illustration of what his current work with young people was all about.

After the meeting — which was very short — we were all standing at the front door of the church talking to Samcher when the people in the audience started coming out and each one took his hand, shaking it and saying what a wonderful sermon he had given. I thought he would have apoplexy on the spot. They still didn’t get it.

Happy Urs Day Murshid

Allah Shakur!

all love and blessings,
hakim saul

Report: Ruhaniat in Russia

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Beloved ones of God,

This was the fourth gathering of the Healing Activity of the Sufi Ruhaniat International in St. Petersburg (D.H.O.). For three glorious days (September 27 to 29) Mark (Mujahid) Havill and myself carried Hazrat Inayat Khan and Murshid S.A.M.s message to our new family in Russia.

There were 85 of us who gathered together in a fantastic Krishna Temple – our largest Russian meeting to date. This new location is a great space for Zikr, Ram Nam, intoning the Sifat-i-Allah, and performing the Healing Ritual. In addition, it was a fabulous space to do the walks in. It has it own wonderful energy and resonance. Blessed be.

We Americans were joined by local folks from around St. Petersburg, and from as far away as Estonia, & Moscow. Truly, the hunger for the teachings is great in Russia, and the caliber and inner light of the participants once more reminds us that “it is the students who make the teacher.”

There were a number of initiations made into the Ruhaniat (and the D.H.O.). And, Inshallah! more will follow. Russia awaits us with an open heart, and open arms. After our gathering, Mark went onto Moscow and did yet another very large meeting. Alhamdulliah!

Going to St. Petersburg every other year for the past 8 years has allowed me to see the actual and real growth taking place in our students and initiates there. It is so wonderful to witness the real openings that come from an awakened heart, and the regular doing of ones prayers and practices.

Let me take this public opportunity to thank Mark for first inviting me to Russia, and sharing and opening his Russian family.

Our sister, Kalipha Latifa Fourier, is planning on being in St. Petersburg this mid November, and – Inshallah! – we shall then have a healing ritual starting in Moscow.

May the Message of God Reach Far and Wide!

Yours in Service to the Real,

Hakim Sauluddin
October 25, 2002

DHO End of Life Project

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Dervish Healing Order
End of Life
By: Angela Amundsen, RN, BSN

Towards the One. This is our goal through all the stages of our lives. This is what we seek. The end of life is no different than any other stage. The Dervish Healing Order is beginning the dialogue on how we as healers can assist at the end of life, through practice,  prayer, support, and comfort measures.

On June 28, 2002, at the behest of Saul Barodofsky, the leader of the DHO, a number of Sufis met to discuss the issues of the end of life. The discussion led us to exploring how we deal with death. We each had a recent personal experience of death or have family or friends that our getting older or are ill, and we are aware of the immediacy of their death and their physical absence from our lives. Some of us are medical professionals, and deal with death frequently and assist patients, family, and friends through this process. None of had talked about our experiences as a group. We found that there was much to be shared, and we! had many questions. Care and comfort of the dying starts with us, the healer. To begin a practice of assisting the dying, we need to be aware of our own experiences of death, and our own perceptions. Are we comfortable with the process of death, do we see it as a part of life? Do we see death as someone else’s experience? How do others experience the process of death? Are we willing to ask others about their thoughts on death and dying? What are some of the cultural practices around death in your local area? Do these seem strange to us or can we appreciate these practices? Are we willing to look deeply inside ourselves and examine our own fears and beliefs about death and dying in order to be able to support another through this process?

As some of us are healers in the medical profession, a discussion took place about the need to begin to guide the humans for whom we are caring from disease directed therapy to comfort directed therapy. What are some of the ethical issues we need to examine in order to feel comfortable assisting people through this decision process? How can we support family and friends in the dying process? What are the prejudices, beliefs, and practices at which we need to look? How do we attend and care for ourselves while we support those in the process?

As healers in the medical profession, some of us need to become aware as to how we can support the human who is dying in the medical environment. Aslan Sattler, MD and Rey Patterson, MD have provided examples of orders and guidelines to consider. As healers working outside the medical community, you can read the examples and learn more about medical support.

We look at all the aspects of care to assist with this process — physical, emotional, spiritual.

Some of the tasks we can all do are practical and good human practice as well as spiritual practice. We can make a Living Will, which designates the medical care that we receive if we begin to die, and Durable Medical Power of Attorney, which legally designates the person who will be making medical decisions for us should we be unable to make them, and who will ensure our wishes be carried out. We can support a natural death, a natural process. In the Dervish Healing Order, we can perform the Healing Service to aid and comfort both the living and the deceased. According to Murshid Samuel Lewis, the Healing Service will ease the soul in the transition in transferring to higher planes of existence. In all cases meditation, is effective to create a healing environment. As the dialogue continues, we will update this site and provide further insights into how we can best serve at the end of life.

— Angela Amundsen

Report: DHO Calistoga – 2002

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Dear Family and Friends,

This is an auspicious day to write a report on our June Gathering of the Dervish Healing Order – being the birthday of Hazrat Inayat Khan, and the day after our country’s birthday.

Firstly, it was a warm and wonderful gathering. The entire country was represented: North, South, East, West – and all the parts in between.

Around 45 of us gathered in Calistoga – both full time and part time – the weather was warm and the pools were fantastic. Of course the food was yummy, and the folks that served us were very special. Murshid’s presence was palpable, and a great time was had by all.

Some highlights:

Pir Shabda (and Tamam) were our honored guests, and led us in practices – Shabda spoke of the importance of self-less service, and acknowledged our work. Tamam shared a practice she had experienced in Morocco, and recalled her part in the very first Healing Camp (1973), when she was in charge of the childrens camp. WOW! And, Thank you both.

Tui & Bonnie joined us for 2 days, and stayed for a day more. It was wonderful to have Bonnie back with the family again. Watching Tui doing the walks in his motorized cart was fantastic.

Fatima Lassar headed the Friday evening program, and shared with us the newest incarnation of her “Sifat Bingo.” The newest one is called S.A.M. Bingo, and is much more inclusive – and was loads of fun. She gave away great prizes too, and recounted some priceless S.A.M. stories.

Anna Farishta from St. Louis, brought a video of Baba Ram Dass’s “Fierce Grace.” His recounting of his personal struggle after his stroke, was deeply moving. There was also some great scenes from his earlier life – just to put things in perspective. It also had footage from the movie Sun Seed, with the Sufi Choir singing. Not only did we love the film, but our hosts at Mt Home Ranch loved it too.

And, there was our usual frivolity amongst the trees: Asha led silent meditation, Siddiq & Zakina served Tea, Aslan (Scott) had choir, Morad led Chi Gong, we had the Healing Ritual each morning, walks in the afternoon, and dancing at night (thanks Aslan). A lot of personal healing that took place. Once again the waters worked their magic.

Ya Shakur. Ya Shaffee. Ya Kaffee.

There was also a preliminary meeting of the people who were interested in the spiritual aspects of death and dying. Many folks who worked in Hospice, or were just interested in the process, have made a decision to investigate re-constituting the work done in the ancient mystery schools, and their focus on “the Rights of Passage: Birth, Coming of Age, First Orgasms, parenthood, & Death.” It is written that one walks with the dying to the gate. Jean Pierre is setting up an interactive bulletin board for those who are interested. Please contact Jean Pierre if interested: jeanpierredavid@compuserve.com

Upcoming:
A) Missing were a men’s and a women’s gathering – next time.
B) An all-new bed time story – Aladdin & The Magic Lamp.
C) More guest teachers
D) Next year on the East Coast: the group decided that our 2003 gathering will be on the East Coast – should be around the same time – more on this soon.

All love and Blessings,
hakim sauludddin

Report: Saul at the UN

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Beloved one of God,

Friday, 7 June 2002, from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. in the Clubroom GA-37 of the Visitor’s Lobby at the United Nations building on First Avenue and 46th Street, the UNSRC Enlightenment Society welcomed Hakim Sauluddin for a presentation on “The Sufi Heart of Love, Harmony and Beauty.”

We had a great turn out of people who are employees of the United Nations and some guests from the community at large in New York City. Of course many nations, races, religions and spiritual schools were represented with an even split among gender. Some local Ruhaniat mureeds showed up including Shihana who works at the United Nations, Lisa Renée and Deirdre. Saul was accompanied by his wife Ananda.

Hakim Sauluddin’s talk focus was healing and the transmission of the heart energy of his lineage. He led us into the invocation “Towards the One”, introduced Sufism, and inspired with Sufi stories, practices and walk.

Saul started by giving some great historical background on the origin of Sufism from the perspective that illuminated beings have always been in the mystical schools forever and that they found another home under Islam. He went over the history of the first Sufis, the Sufis in India during the time of Pir O Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan and finally Sufism in America with Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti. He led the group in a short Zikar repeating Allah. He told many stories in the great Sufi tradition as Saul excels at doing, including the story of how Sam met his Hindu teacher in San Francisco. He placed appropriately the accent on the universality of the Sufis and how Hazrat Inayat Khan reconciled tradition and modernism.

Through his stories, he gave some teaching on what differentiates Sufism from sects that wants its student to” become like the leader” and that a true spiritual school wants people to unfold their potentialities. He emphasized that if people can leave with only one thing it is that God is their lover not their jailer.

The greatest moment was the practice on the breath that lead us to breathe the small, big, loud, gentle, loving and finally peaceful breath, through the heart and the breath. Peace was sent to the room, the building of the United Nations and to the world. What a wonderful practice to share from that center.

He concluded by the Quan Yin walk of compassion and mercy. All the people got up and participated in it.

Many people stayed around asking questions.

Thank you Saul, Shihana and the wonderful staff of the United Nations Enlightenment Society that made all this possible.

Love and blessings,
Jean Pierre

Report: DHO Haus Shneda – May 2002

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Beloved ones of God,

Once again the magic and heartfilled space of the Shnede family was manifest.
Almost 100 open hearts gathered for a week of prayer and family. I was told that there were over 75 adults and over 25 children. Our special guests were P.O.M. Hidayat Inayat Khan and Murshida Aziza. Alhamdulliah!

The family came together from the U.S.A., Holland, Denmark, Switzerland, Greece, Austria, The Czech Republic, Russia and of course Germany.

I was joined on staff by all 3 Shiekas/Caliphas from the German Ruhaniat – yes, they are all women – and by 3 American Sheikhs/Khalifs – David Dalley (and his family), Scott Sattler, and joining us for the first time was Murad Finkelstein from Eugene. Subhan took great photographs as usual. Inshallah! Fabulous results soon.

Amongst the participants were a number of Sufi Movement people (from Holland and Switzerland), who came to support the Federation, and had a blast. Ya Hu!

In addition to our regular practices: the healing ritual, the prayers, the walks, the dharma talks, the dancing, the choir, the chi gong, the story telling, we had a Universal Worship led by Latifa Fourier. All this plus good weather, great meals and white asparagus.

The big news is that there are now new members of the DHO/Ruhaniat family in Russia and the Czech Republic, and that the Berlin family has started our first Khanka in Germany. Alhamdulliah! What a joy to report. I am hopeful that I shall visit the new Khanka in February. Inshallah!

The first Friday in June (June 7th), I shall be speaking to the Enlightenment Society of the United Nations in New York City. I plan on speaking on the Modernism of Hazrat Inayat Khan, the esoteric history of Sufism, and the universalism of Murshid SAM. All this plus some Zikr Allah, and the Maha Mudra for Peace. The meeting is from 1:00 p.m. E.S.T. to 2:30 E.S.T. Please tune in with your love and supportive vibes. Ya Shakur!

D.H.O. Calistoga is upcoming (June 24th to June 29th) and, both Pir Shabda, and Murshida Fatima will be there as our guests. Hope to see you in the Waters.

All love and blessings,
Hakim Sauluddin
June 1, 2002
Charlottesville, Virginia

(Click the images to open full size folios)
        

 

Saul at the UN!

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Beloved One of God,

I am happy to report the following event:

The United Nations Enlightenment Society is sponsoring this event on June 7. Hakim Saul Barodofsky will be making this presentation for this United Nations spiritual organization. The club room is on the lower floor below the main visitor lobby of the UN.

One must be a member, or a member’s guest to attend.

Love and blessings,
Jean Pierre

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UNSRC Enlightenment Society
We seek to inspire, inform, enlighten, entertain!
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The Sufi Heart of Love, Harmony and Beauty
with Hakim Sauluddin

Hakim Sauluddin’s teachings focus on healing and the transmission of the heart energy of his lineage. At this event, he will lead us in the famous prayer “Towards the One”, introduce Sufism, and inspire us with Sufi stories and dances.

Hakim Sauluddin was initiated as a Sufi and a Hakim (spiritual jurist and physician) in 60’s by Sufi Murshid Ahmed Murad Chishti (Samuel L. Lewis), an original student of Hazrat Inayat Khan who brought the Sufi message of Love, Harmony and Beauty to the USA in 1910. Hakim Sauluddin is the Director of the Dervish Healing Order and a Murshid (senior teacher) of the Sufi Ruhaniat International and the International Sufi Movement.

“Come, come wherever you may be…”

Friday, 7 June 2002
1:15 to 2:30 p.m.
Clubroom GA-37 (Below Visitor’s Lobby)

May Peace Prevail on Earth !

Members: Free! Guests: $3 (Yearly
Membership: $10)

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DHO Gathering – Summer 2002 – “Hu We Are”

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Beloved ones of God,

Finally, the winter has departed and the spring flowers are upon us in all their glory. I pray that this is more than just a metaphor for the world situation, and that true and real peace will come upon us through awakened and forgiving hearts.

One might remember that amongst the Sifat i Allah (the 99 Beautiful Names of God) there is not a single one for Hatred, Hostility, or Revenge. But rather, there are many invoking Forgiveness, Love, Compassion, Mercy, and Peace.

May the Compassion and Loving Kindness of Allah shine through the worlds’ leadership and bring true peace to our troubled earth.

Murshid SAM was dedicated to Peace in the Middle East, and with this in mind, our gathering in Calistoga (Northern California) from Monday, June 24th to Saturday, June 29th – “Hu we are.” will focus on developing that Peace within our selves, and then spreading to (sharing amongst) our brothers and sisters in the world, with a special focus on the “Holy Land.”

Please join with us in Prayer and in Silence, in Ritual and in Spontaneity, in Stillness and in Movement, in Joy and in Laughter as we bring through the Living Peace from the Heart of Gods Grace: Bismillah er Rachman, er Rahim.

D.H.O. Gathering – Summer 2002 – “Hu We Are”

Dates: June 24th to June 29th (Monday through Saturday)
Place: Mt. Home Retreat. 2 swimming pools, great food, loads of outdoors.
Location: By Calistoga, in Northern California’s famous wine country.
Price: From $325 to $525 (depending on accommodations)
Reservations: Jennifer Avian

In addition to our prayers, there will be choir, chi gong, dancing, walks, zikr, ritual, story telling, and our general frolicking amongst the trees. We had such a great time here 2 years ago, we decided to return.

Looking forwards to seeing you “in the pool”

All love and Blessings
Hakim Sauluddin
April 21, 2002

Upcoming DHO events:

May 5th – 12th – Shneida – North Germany
June 24th – 29th – DHO Gathering – Northern California
September 27th – 29th – DHO Russia – St. Petersberg