Category Archives: Saul Posts

Report: DHO Haus Shneda – May 2003

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Beloved ones of God,

This past month we celebrated our 19th annual gathering in Germany.  Alhamdulliah!
There were over 100 of us: 80 plus adults, and over 20 children.  We came from Germany, Russia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Holland, Switzerland, and of course the USA.

Kaliph David Dalley (celebrating his 10th year of teaching in Germany) led us in ecstatic dances, Sheikh Aslan Scott Sattler directed the choir, Sheikha Ananda Cronin offered heart sung zikr, and yours truly led us in the spiritual walks.  The Healing Ritual was shared daily amongst the local conductors.    It is heart warming to see the ritual so well established in Germany. Ya Kalbi!

This was a family camp, with mostly returning participants, but there were some new comers.  Its always amazing to me how quickly they adapt to our energy stream.

Each day we had the absent healing ritual, sung zikr, choir, spiritual walks, dancing and a bedtime story.  The response to our evening homework was powerful and very moving.

For the first time we had a woman’s and a men’s meeting.  This was well received and seemingly very needed.  Speaking for the men, more than one adult male expressed deep gratitude in feeling, for the first time, their place as a man amidst the company of other men.  The women created a chalice of energy to sing the zikr of the prophetesses, and then did their walks.  Ya Shakur Allah!  Truly, Murshid Sam’s spiritual walks have found a responsive home in Europe.

One of the many highlights of the gathering was a group phone call to our Godparents Hidayat & Aziza. (With thanks to Puran for the use of his cell phone.)  We sang “Happy Shneda Day to You”.  It was very sweet and very moving. Hidayat is recovering from an operation to his hand, and is doing very well.  Ya Shaffee. Ya Kaffee.

The food, of course, was fabulous.  May is white asparagus season in North Germany, and our fantastic cook (Siggy) outdid himself.  (It’s a lot of work to hand peal asparagus) And the breads, and fresh baked rolls, and the great local cheeses.  Too bad we had to come home.

Inshallah!  When Subhan Michael Spencer photos come out, we look forwards to another great
exhibition on our web site.

And, a very special thanks to our translating staff:  Shemsuddin Jukoff, Kalipha Brita Anapurna, and Ram Dass.  And, very special thanks to our registrar and camp organizers Martin and Bakti Kuchler.  Ya Shakur. Ya Shakur. Ya Shakur.  To you all.  We couldn’t have done it without you.

Alhamdulliah!  Next year is our 20th year of bringing Murshid Sam to Europe.  Our Jubilee Gathering will be in May 2004.  And, don’t forget Prague in September of this year (2003).

I send you all my love and blessings, and my prayer that God grants you the highest manifestation of Gods Plan for you.  May it come soon.

Yours in Service to the Real,
Hakim Sauluddin

June 7, 2003  Charlottesville, Virginia

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

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: 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)
        

 

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

DHO Summer 2002 Gathering

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DHO Summer 2002 Gathering “Hu We Are”

June 24 – 29, 2002 (Monday through Saturday).

Monday through Saturday

THE DERVISH HEALING ORDER – ANNUAL GATHERING

2 swimming pools, great food, and loads of outdoors. From $325 to $525 (depending on accommodations). There will be choir, chi gong, walks, dancing, Zikr, ritual, and our general frolicking amidst 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

Back to Calistoga, CA

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Please contact Jennifer ASAP to know how many people we can expect
in order to finalize the reservation.

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PLACE: Mt. Home Retreat.
LOCATION: by Calistoga in Northern California’s famous wine country.
PRICE: From $325 to $525 (depending on accommodations).
RESERVATIONS: Jennifer Avian

DHO Letter from Saul and Upcoming 2002 Gathering

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Beloved ones of God,

As the season of Christ’s Mass approaches, I am filled with a feeling of ambiguity over the wanton destruction that has occurred in the name of God, and our response to it. Whilst, at the same time, I am so thankful that we live in a country where we are free to practice our religion or path, and that our larger community has reached out to the American Muslims with an open heart and willing hands. Alhamdulliah!

Now I can only pray that the Muslim community world wide will reciprocate to their own “minorities,” and make them an integrated part of their family – whether they be Kurds, Baluchis, Shias (or Sunnis), or any of the other oppressed “minorities” within the Muslim world, including Jews – Christians – Hindus – Zoroastrians – Buddhists, etc., etc.

It has been another very full year for us all: Our Germany DHO gathering was larger and more “juice-filled” than ever, and our 30 Year Pilgrimage to Murshid SAM at Lama was over flowing with love and joy and laughter (just as he would have wanted it).

Our second gathering in Prague (at the end of September) was truly international, with folks coming in from Holland, Germany, Estonia, Greece, and of course the Czech Republic. We performed the Absent Healing Ritual at the former village of Lidice for the victims of the Nazi horror there.

In addition, on November 24, we were in New York for a previously scheduled meeting, and joined with Jean Pierre David and folks from as far away as Seattle, Montana, and Virginia to conduct the Absent Healing Ritual at the site of the former World Trade Center. There were 14 of us at the site itself, and afterwards we had our gathering at the Sufi Bookstore with about 100 people joining us for prayer and stories and walks and laughter. It was wonderful.

Afterwards I went on to Boston to join with Abraham and Halima Sussman to relive the early days of the Sufi Choir (Jim Fellows joined us), and to have a meeting at their home. About 20 folks joined with us for prayer and laughter. We also went onto Logan Airport to perform the Service for those who were in the planes that left Boston and were crashed into the WTC. May their hearts and souls be at peace and reunited with God’s love.

Upcoming: 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, and loads of outdoors.
LOCATION: by Calistoga in Northern California’s famous wine country.
PRICE: From $325 to $525 (depending on accommodations).
RESERVATIONS: Jennifer Avian

There will be choir, chi gong, walks, dancing, Zikr, ritual, and our general frolicking amidst 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