Category Archives: Saul Posts

Absent Healing Ritual in New York City

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Dear all,

Please join us in a moment of prayer and remembrance for all those who have been harmed by the horrific events of September 11th.

And, for all those who do the Absent Healing Ritual, please tune into us at this time (6:00 p.m.) on Saturday, November 24th. We will be in New York City to do a meeting for the new Ruhaniat-Sufi Movement Center there, and shall take this opportunity to perform the ritual in a Place of Great Suffering.

Your participation is welcome and encouraged.

All love and Blessings
Hakim Saul

Peace to Suffering Humanity… post 9/11/2001

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Beloved ones of God,

As a response to the tumult and hostility that resulted from the horrors of September 11th, the Sufi Healing Order has called upon the Dervish Healing Order, and the Healing Activity of the Sufi Movement, to join with them in prayers so as to bring Peace to Suffering Humanity.

They intend to use the Healing Ritual to do this.

I am very much in favor of working with our brothers and sisters in the other streams of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s barakka.  This cooperation has the potential of being a living manifestation of the ideals of the Federation of the Sufi Message, and I hope and pray that this step is only the beginning of many co operative efforts in the future. May the Message of God reach far and wide!

The prayers in the service itself give us the direction we have chosen to take when we take the ritual to Places of Great Human Suffering:
“and that we may impart to them, Thy Light, Thy Love, Thy Joy, and Thy PEACE.” 

However, and in addition, Hazrat Inayat Khan has also given us a Prayer for the Peace of the World, which I actually feel, is a more appropriate focus for the general concentration of world peace. 

“Prayer for the Peace of the World”
through Hazrat Inayat Khan:

‘O Thou, the Almighty Sun, whose light cleareth away all clouds.
We take refuge in Thee. King of all men, God of all deities. Lord of all angels.
We pray Thee, dispel the mists of illusion from the hearts of the nations,
and lift their lives by Thy all-sufficient power.
Pour upon them Thy limitless love, Thy everlasting life,
Thy heavenly joy, and Thy perfect peace.”  — Amin

We shall do this prayer at 11:00 p.m. on the 3rd Sunday of each month, just prior to our regular Healing Ritual, and invite you all to join with us in attempting to manifest our hearts desire for Peace through the recitation of this prayer.

As to the heinous crimes committed against us all on September 11th:

This coming November 24th (Saturday), I shall be in New York to do a previously scheduled meeting, and shall take this opportunity to offer the Healing Ritual at (or very close by) the World Trade Center.  This shall be performed for the souls of all those who perished in this horror, and also for the hopeful alleviation of suffering for their families  and loved ones. 

This later activity is being organized by our brother in New York, Jean Pierre David (who also manages our web site).  For those who wish to join us in prayer, we shall meet  for practices at 5:30 p.m., and walk to the site and perform the Ritual at 6:00 p.m. This is all Eastern Standard Time. 

To those of you who wish to join us at the site itself: Please do.  All are welcome.   

After the ritual we shall walk to the near by Sufi Book Store and begin our meeting.  As Murshid SAM used to say, “It’s always a plus to have some ‘old timers’ in the crowd.”

For additional data: Please contact Jean Pierre – jeanpierredavid@hotmail.com.

I send you all my love and blessings and my prayer that we be permitted to Serve God in the Real Work.

Yours in Service,

Hakim Saul
Charlottesville, Virginia
October 15, 2001 

Report: Lama Pilgrimage 2001

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Beloved ones of God,

Honoring the 30th year of Murshid Samuel L. Lewis’s passing, almost 100 of us gathered at his gravesite onLamaMountainto pray, dance, walk, tell stories, play, and in general, honor his life and the limitless generosity of his spirit.

We counted over 50 full time pilgrims, and almost 40 part timers (plus the Lama staff).  We generated about $15,000. for Lama – approximately $13,000 in fees, and about $2,000 donated by us specifically to repair the roof of the main dome.

Pilgrims came all the way from Hawaii to Germany, and from all over the USA. Special guests of our DHO family included: Fatima Lassar (who shared her early stories of meeting and interacting with S.A.M., plus her remembrances of how all the early disciples came to him), Abraham and Halima Sussman (Abraham was in the original Sufi Choir, and shared many of the musical themes from our earliest days).  In addition, Siddiq von Brissen and Asha Durkee-Greer shared many stories of Murshid’s 2 visits to Lama, and of his burial.  It was so welcome for me to have others present to help tell stories.

Each morning started with an early walk to the Maqbarra and group practice there.  It was wonderful to do the Heart Sutra and to sing RamNamat the gravesite.  A fabulous way to start the day.

Food was overseen by Elaine Sutton; need I say more than that?  Many thanks to the Lama Kitchen Staff (David & crew) who took her suggestions and ran with them so well. Yummy! Ananda brought her harmonium, and we did lots of sung heart zikrs.  There was daily tea ceremony (thanks to Zakina & Siddiq who held the concentration so well, that most of the young girls decided they wanted to learn Tea), a walks class, Asha taught the prayers in the prayer room, there was also daily practice of “Sufi” Chi Gong with Morad, Elaine Sutton and Abraham led some great dances in the evening, and Zuleika visited, and led us all in a very special evening Zikr.  Thanks dear one.

All that plus Friday Lama Shabat, and an evening ofFatima’s newest game Sifat Bingo. We had a men’s group, and a women’s group.  (The men had a blast hanging out together in silence.)  In the Walks Class there were many new walks of attunement to the Masters Saints and Prophets: Ananda brought forth a powerful walk of the mother as protector and the eater of demons.  She also shared a Powerful Tibetan Bon practice of receiving the transmission of a departed teacher.  Noel shared the walk of Hanuman.  Sarah Emi brought through the walk of Sarah. And at least 3 of the ladies brought through various walks of Mary the Mother of Jesus (Tsukina, Sar’faraz & Ana Farishta).  There was so much wonderful participation I just hope I didn’t forget anyone.

In DHO news, Cathy Sar’faraz fromKansas Citywas initiated as our newest Shafayette. Alhamdulliah!  It was such a heart filled gathering.Some highlights for me was our attunement to Moineddin’s Maqubarra, our attunement to Shabda and the family on their Pilgrimage through Spain & Morocco, and our final healing ritual of the gathering.   Karin Fourier fromGermanyled us in an attunement to Brita von Kugelgen’s healing ritual at the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp inNorth Germany.  This was a continuation of our performing the ritual at Places of Great Human Suffering, and it was the first time many of the Pilgrims had participated in such a process.   Brita plans on writing a full report soon, and Inshallah!  I shall pass it onto us all.

Next year is still being planned, but should be around the same time period (Late June).

I send you all my love and blessings and wish you all the very best that Allah can give you.

Yours in Service to the Real,
Hakim Sauluddin
Charlottesville,Virginia  July 11, 2001

Concentration Camp Ritual – June 30th – North Germany

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Dear all,

Our sister in Berlin (Shafayette Brita Kugegelgen) and the Berlin healing circle, will be offering the Absent Healing Ritual at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp on Saturday, June 30th at 11 a.m. German time.

We shall be joining them in Prayer from our Pilgrimage at Lama, and invite you all to “tune in” with us.

I send you all my love and blessings,
Hakim Sauluddin

Ketwijk, the Meeting at the Temple: some Impressions

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Dear family,

The following are some impressions from our 2nd “Gathering of the Clans”.

Like all the others who reported, I was very pleased with the wonderful hospitality and seamless organization that our hosts in the Sufi Movement provided. The energy of the Temple and the grounds was uplifting and accommodating. It was a treat and a privilege to gather together in the name of the Sufi Message to pray and eat together amidst the very dunes where Hazrat Inayat Khan had a spiritual vision. The energy was so high and love filled that I took a moment during our outside walking meditation to gather wild flowers to bring back to Ananda. It was also a loving re-gathering for many of us who were at the first meeting in Charlottesville. And of course, the heads of all three of our family’s orders were present, and it was a rare treat and privilege to be present for their prayerful interactions.

There are, in addition, two memories-impressions I wish to share:

One was during lunch one afternoon when Hamida asked to me to lead a grace, and I felt in such an exuberant and uplifted state I could only lead the Calypso Grace. This was well received with all its attendant dancing and shaking and joy. The next morning, Hamida asked Akbar (a Sufi Movement Shiekh from Canada) to lead the grace for lunch. Imagine our delighted surprise when he led the Walt Disney Grace. A sweet and fun memory.

The other event I would like to tell from my perspective. I am aware that others have reported it, but perhaps some more details may help those who were not present to feel more of the spectacular nature of the event itself.

It was the last session, on the third day, and there was to have been a panel discussion. However, the energy was so high and we all were so full, that it was decided to have a closing dance instead. Someone suggested the Blessing Dance, and then we were all in the Temple singing and moving through the steps of the dance. I was standing behind a seated Hidayat & Aziza, singing the song and watching the dance unfold around the room, when Aziza stood up and pulled Hidayat to her. “Let’s dance,” she said. And she pulled him into the moving circle. I was a bit astonished, as his knees preclude his doing any strenuous activity. But there they were dancing and singing and blessing each other and their respective partners. Right about this time, Vilayat came into the room, and someone pulled him into the dance – sorry, I didn’t see whom. Within a few moments the two brothers were approaching each other and I saw Aziza look at Vilayat, and take Hidayat’s hand and bring him right to his brother. With hardly a second’s hesitation, they began the blessings of each other.
May the dance continue.

It is a wondrous picture – watching the two sons of Hazrat Inayat Khan representing the Sufi Movement and the Sufi Order blessing each other within a dance of Universal Peace (aptly named) and inspired by Murshid SAM. I am so proud of our family and its manifestation of Murshid SAM’s statement: “Peace is Power”. Or, my tassawuri: “Making peace through love is powerful.”

Finally, I wish to acknowledge the work done by Shabda, our new Permanent Member. It was a great pleasure to work with him during this meeting, and to observe his loving focus and mastery in action. As you might have heard, amidst all the peace making which was bursting out from every side, I asked Shabda to be present during my meeting with Vilayat. His instructions to me before we began our discussions were to only speak from my personal experiences and my truth. Not only a good psychological tool but also a good spiritual tool.
Thanks Shabda.

I am also very happy to report that this energy carried on into our work at Shneida (in North Germany) where our 17th annual meeting went so well, and was so well received, that many of our European family have decided to make the Lama Pilgrimage to Murshid SAM with us this month.

May the Message of God Reach Far and Wide.

Yours in service to the Real,

Hakim Saul

Charlottesville, Virginia June 1, 2001

This is the New Age in Person

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Most beloved of God,

Much love and many blessings from Virginia.

This person is Saul Barodofsky, who was Dr. SAM’s driver and factotum, and was privileged to be present during many of the talks he gave at HOOM, which became the book, This is the New Age in Person. As you might gather, I am still active in the SIRS, and have taken on more responsibility as the years flow by. Hopefully, you are the correct person to address this issue to. So, I shall attempt it.

Firstly, and most important, I am so pleased that you have taken on the re-publication of this important series of talks. It is wonderful to see it in print again, and I applaud your use of the WEB as a vehicle for dissemination.Thank you also for the numerous citations of copyright, the links to the SIRS web site, and the distributing branch of Peaceworks.

However, I am told by some of the Ruhaniat folks (who are more literate than me – I am stricken with dyslexia and have never been able to spell) that your wonderful offering has many glaring mis-spellings. Is it possible to clean this up? It would be most helpful to all those who look for details amidst the big picture, and are distracted by mis-spellings.

On an other matter, I am SO PLEASED that you have re-formed the esoteric work of the HOOM as a new school. As you might know, I was very close to the Order after Dr. SAM’s passing – being their book distributor, and general “friend.”

I have kept track of some of the old family – I am in sporadic contact with the “former” Master Marthelia, and was in contact with Rev. Ben, prior to his passing. Aside from the correction of spelling, I volunteered to write this letter for the SIRS Editorial Board, because I am eager to connect our work again, as it was in the past, and I hope that this might be an opportunity to do so. I am teaching the spiritual walks, which Dr. SAM gave us, in Germany & Eastern Europe, as well as in the USA. In fact, I have incorporated the Symbol of the HOOM as a spiritual walk, amongst the series of the Symbolic Walks.

I hope this can be an opportunity to re-connect our Familial heart-space. Toward this end, may I invite you and any of the family who are moved to attend a 30 year Pilgrimage to Dr. SAM’s grave site – June 24 – 30th (2001) – at the Lama Foundation, above Taos New Mexico. Since he was one of the founders of your order, and the founder of ours, I have always felt that we were one family.

I send you all my love and prayers for a wondrous and Light Filled Easter.

your brother
saul

Report: DHO Calistoga 2000

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Dear Family,

Once again we gathered together to form the Healing Circle on the earth plane. Alhamdulliah! Our gathering at Calistoga was a wonderful rest from our daily chores: There were two pools for swimming (one heated, one natural), the food was abundant and delicious. The meeting space was large enough for 3 circle dancing, and all the walks. The acoustics were deep and the vibrations carried out into the cosmos. The evenings homework and the resulting dream work were fruitful and inspiring.

The choir sang like angels, and most importantly, we all had a chance to catch up on the lives (and loves) of our family. Ya Shakur.

The concentration given for this year is:

Breath in “Use us for the purpose that Thy wisdom chooseth.”
And exhale “and guide us on the path of Thine own goodness.”

Do this as you fall asleep, and if it feels right, whenever the opportunity arises.

Advance Notice of Next Years Gathering:

Pilgrimage 2001 – A Visit to Murshid Sam.

Dates: June 21 – 30 – (to be reconfirmed)
Place: Lama Foundation – above Taos, New Mexico.
Costs: To be determined – but not much.
Accommodations: Rugged, tenting, hey there, its a pilgrimage.
Theme: Do something during this year to further the Message, and bring this as a personal offering to Murshid Sam.

This year (2001) is the start of the real millennium, and we feel that this would be a wondrous opportunity to gather at the Maqbara and offer thanks and prayers for the continued blessings we all receive. May the Message of God Reach Far and Wide!

Some folks are planning a group excursion – i.e. Morad and Rosie from Eugene would like to charter a bus and bring in the whole North West contingent together – singing and other spiritual diversions on the road – sort of like a Sufi Camp Trip. If you’re from that part of the world, you might like to connect with them – looks to be not only fun, but very cost effective.

Upcoming, I am looking forwards to our next gathering in St Petersburg this September 1st. There have been some wonderful walks coming through, and we shall explore them further in Mother Russia.

Speaking of the walks, Scott and I are working on putting the walks together in a manual for our teachers. More on that soonish. And, the T Shirts for the “In The Garden” republishing fund are almost gone – we still have some X-Large and XX-Large in Blue & Black – very striking – if interested please send $20 plus a few bucks postage – all proceeds go to the fund, which now has over $1,000. Thanks to Hauke Sturm in Berlin for the creative effort and printing. Allah Mu Barrak.

Finally, Farishta in St. Louis has just completed the healing ritual at the court steps where the infamous Dread Scott Decision was made. (Thats where the court decided that black people did not have human rights under the law). We were told, the St. Louis Arch was visible during the ritual and became filled with beings of light. May they continue to shine and illuminate our hearts, giving us the compassion we seek.

Thank you in St. Louis for heeding the call, and doing the work.

I send you all my love and blessings, and await our next gathering

yours in Service,
Hakim Saul(uddin)
Charlottesville, Virginia – July 11, 2000

Report: Holland & Germany

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Dear family –

Happy Valentine’s Day to us all.

This is just a short report on my visit to the Urs of Hazrat Inayat Khan in Holland, and two meetings we held in Germany.

Firstly, allow me to say that I was given every honor at the Temple in Ketwig. Murshid SAM would be very pleased. After the formal service, I was asked to bless the cake and water – they called it praying in “the Oriental manner.” We would call it singing Fathia. It was a wonderful and very moving experience. The Urs was also a wonderful opportunity to meet with some of the leadership of the Movement. I took it upon myself to encourage
them all to attend the Leadership conference in April in Charlottesville.

As an aside, it seems that the heads of the 3 healing activities, will meet together in April. Alhamdulliah! Arjuna from the Movement, Himayat from the Order, and myself from the DHO. Ya Shakur. We are all hopeful that this is but the first steps in the cosmic dance of Love, Harmony & Beauty.

From Holland I went onto Germany: In Hanover and Berlin we had meetings with the German Healing Order, and after some strong prompting from Ananda, I initiated a number of new mureeds into the Ruhaniat. I look forwards to also moving some of the DHO’ers at our Spring meeting in North Germany formally into the Ruhaniat. After all, who has a better and more coherent study program for new mureeds than us Inayati’s. In addition, it is a program that all of us “old timers” have gone through. Alhamdulliah! We shall be setting up Gatha/Githa study programs for Germany.

May the Message of God Reach Far & Wide.

I send you all my love and blessings on this Day of Loves Remembrance.
Hakim Saul

Report: Holland & Germany

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Dear family –

Happy Valentine’s Day to us all.

This is just a short report on my visit to the Urs of Hazrat Inayat Khan in Holland, and two meetings we held in Germany.

Firstly, allow me to say that I was given every honor at the Temple in Ketwig. Murshid SAM would be very pleased. After the formal service, I was asked to bless the cake and water – they called it praying in “the Oriental manner.” We would call it singing Fathia. It was a wonderful and very moving experience. The Urs was also a wonderful opportunity to meet with some of the leadership of the Movement. I took it upon myself to encourage
them all to attend the Leadership conference in April in Charlottesville.

As an aside, it seems that the heads of the 3 healing activities, will meet together in April. Alhamdulliah! Arjuna from the Movement, Himayat from the Order, and myself from the DHO. Ya Shakur. We are all hopeful that this is but the first steps in the cosmic dance of Love, Harmony & Beauty.

From Holland I went onto Germany: In Hanover and Berlin we had meetings with the German Healing Order, and after some strong prompting from Ananda, I initiated a number of new mureeds into the Ruhaniat. I look forwards to also moving some of the DHO’ers at our Spring meeting in North Germany formally into the Ruhaniat. After all, who has a better and more coherent study program for new mureeds than us Inayati’s. In addition, it is a program that all of us “old timers” have gone through. Alhamdulliah! We shall be setting up Gatha/Githa study programs for Germany.

May the Message of God Reach Far & Wide.

I send you all my love and blessings on this Day of Loves Remembrance.
Hakim Saul

DHO 2000 Gathering at Calistoga, CA

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Theme: DHO 2000 – Moving our Transmission into the 21st Century

When: June 21 to June 25 (Wednesday to Sunday) 2000.

Where: Mt. Home Ranch Resort (near Calistoga, Northern California)

Cost: Between $55 (ish) per person per night to $85 (ish) per person per night (based on type of accommodation) – Roughly from $250 to $400 per person.

Ambiance: a wonderful resort with 300 acres, 2 swimming pools, hiking trails, a natural warm springs (86 degrees), canyons, forests, and a small stream. Some of the cabins even have a fire place.

Contact: Jennifer Avian

Great food, wonderful surroundings, open hearts, a full spectrum of Sufi Studies, with emphasis on healing, and our usual merriment and frolicking amidst the trees.

All love and best – Happy Hanukah,
saul