What is a Sufi?

From the perspective of the Sufi Order International, this question may be answered in several ways. Essentially, a Sufi is one who recognizes that an aspect of truth is contained in all the authentic religious traditions. Therefore, the various spiritual teachers of humanity are equally respected by one who lives from this belief. Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan envisioned the Sufi as a person who appreciates the beautiful diversity celebrated in the various paths while discerning in them an underlying unity. The Sufi's way of life is to continually seek to recognize the divinity contained in all human beings and the inherent sacred oneness of life.

There are, of course, many who live according to this essential definition of a Sufi, who have never heard of the name, but who are a living expression of this spirit. According to Pir-o-Murshid lnayat Khan, the Sufis have no official date or place of origin, for in essence they represent those mystics who have sought the truth in all ages. However, at a certain time in history , the name became associated with various orders which developed spiritual disciplines. The Sufi Order accents the note of universal spirituality found in the teachings of many of the Sufi masters of the past, while seeking to make the teachings and practices of the past relevant to the needs and consciousness of our time.

Our universal perspective differs from traditional Sufi Orders as exemplified in our inclusion of spiritual practices gleaned from various traditions. Our prayers and Universal Worship service are a new expression of a vision of unity so necessary now as humanity begins to awaken to a planetary consciousness. In sharing a message of love, harmony and beauty, the Sufi Order hopes to foster a vision of one human family.

Is the Sufi Order a new religion?

No, the purpose of our work is to "help bring together the different organs of one body which are meant to be united and not thrown apart. How do we bring about such reconciliation? By realizing in ourselves that the essence of all religions is one, is wisdom, and by considering that wisdom to be our religion, regardless of our form." --Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan

What is the objective of the Sufi Order?

"The objective of the Sufi Order is the uniting of life and religion, which, so far, seems to have been kept apart. When a person goes to church once a week and devotes all the other days of the week to their business, how can they benefit by religion? Therefore, the teaching of Sufism is to transform everyday life into a religion so that every action may bear some spiritual fruit." --Pir-o-Murshid lnayat Khan

What is the moral principal which guides the work of the Sufi Order?

" If there is any moral principle, it is this: that the whole of humanity is like one body, and any organ of that body which is hurt or troubled can indirectly cause damage to the whole body. And as the health of the whole body depends upon the health of each part, so the health of the whole of humanity depends upon the health of every nation." Pir-o-Murshid lnayat Khan

Can a person continue to be a member of a religious tradition and become a member of the Sufi Order?

Yes. The Sufi Order is not concerned with converting or saving others. Our hope is that a person's involvement in the teachings may deepen and expand his/her understanding of the tradition with which s/he is affiliated. "The Sufi Message does not call a person away from a belief or church; it calls one to live it." --Pir-o-Murshid lnayat Khan

What is the role of The Divine Feminine in the Sufi Order?

Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan, founder of the Sufi Order, offered this insight in the early part of this century: "The hour is coming when women will lead humanity to a higher evolution." Women have always functioned in all roles of spiritual leadership within the Order. Spiritual practices and service are fully integrated and initial attempts have been made to update the language of the teaching to include the feminine. Women teachers in the Order have made rich contributions, and have joined in developing practices that facilitate an awareness of, and a deeper identification with the feminine aspect of the Divine.

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