30 August 2021
Dear Companions on the Path,
I hope this finds you very well.
The last year and a half has not been an easy time. Health authorities report that more than 200 million people have contracted the coronavirus, and more than four million have died. If you or someone you love has suffered from the virus, my heart goes out to you. There has also been significant disruption to the way of life of billions of people. Many have lost their jobs, and we have all had to isolate ourselves. I miss seeing you in person.
There are various views on the origin of the coronavirus and the advisability of taking a vaccine. Until now I have refrained from making a statement on the subject. The reason for my hesitancy is that I do not have privileged information on the subject. Like everyone, I try to digest the news available on the internet, and my views are just my views. In the Inayatiyya, we respect each ashiq and muridâs self-determination and do not prescribe life choices. Our work is to help everyone in our community cultivate their own faculty of guidance.
Having said that, since word has been going around that I hold certain views, I am writing to state my perspective for the record. This is simply my perspective, and each of you are encouraged to do your own research and come to your own conclusions.
As far as I know, the origin of the virus has not been determined, but there are two primary theories on the subject. The theory that seems to have the most support in the scientific community at the present time is that the virus leapt from animals to humans. Itâs theorized that this occurred at a âwet marketâ in Wuhan, China. If this theory proves true, it seems to underscore the risks inherent in the human disruption of animal habitats. As ecosystems are degraded by human intervention, viruses neutrally embedded in them tend to get loose and wreak havoc.
The other theory is that the virus leaked from a gain-of-function lab. As you may know, gain-of-function labs are places where viruses are altered in order to anticipate potential emergent pathogens. When it comes to research of this kind, accidental leaks are an obvious danger. Moreover, there is concern that the findings of biotechnology could be put to the service of biological warfare, just as nuclear physics lent itself to the creation of the atomic bomb in the twentieth century.
In short, both theories invite urgent reflection on the ways in which we humans currently interact with the natural world to which we belong.
As to the vaccine, I realize there are various philosophies regarding health. Some lean more on the side of trusting the bodyâs natural immune response, as augmented perhaps by naturally occurring remedies. Others prefer to fully avail themselves of the most up-to-date medications and vaccines that industrial-scale medical research has made available.
Hazrat Inayat Khanâs book on Health is worth revisiting at a time like this. In it, he says, âSometimes a person says, âI believe only in healing, I will not touch medicine, it is materialâ; that is wrong also. Sometimes a person says, âI only believe in medicine, I have no faith in healingâ; that is wrong, too. To grow towards perfect health, to bring about a cure, one must heal oneself from morning till evening.â
Regarding vaccines, he said, âAll things are desirable if properly used, and all are undesirable if abused. In fact, the idea of vaccination comes from the same theory which is taught by Shiva - or Mahadeva - as Hatha Yoga.â
According to the reporting I am seeing, the overwhelming number of fatalities from the coronavirus are currently occurring among those who have not been vaccinated. That is not to say that all unvaccinated people who contract covid succumb to it; thankfully, many do not. But the data seems to show that the vaccine affords considerable protection.
Earlier this year my son tested positive for covid immediately after spending time at home with us here. We all went into quarantine, and thankfully we were fine. But like billions of people throughout the world, we have gone ahead and taken the vaccine â in our case, the Pfizer vaccine.
I am mindful that access to vaccines is not uniform worldwide, and many who would like to have access to them do not. This points to the unequal distribution of resources and technologies in our world, and the real-life consequences for many members of our human family.
As you know, when it comes to events and gatherings, the Inayatiyya is following the guidance of the WHO and national guidelines. The good health of our community is our priority, so we will not host in-person events unless we believe we can do so in accord with the most appropriate standards.
Having written all of this, let me again underscore that the Inayatiyya is a community of free thinkers, and it isnât my role to compel you to think one way or another. We are facing a situation that is unprecedented in our lifetime, and it is raising many questions about biomedical research and technology, the human interface with nature, and the manner in which we can all best take responsibility for our own health and that of each other.
These questions will no doubt be debated for decades to come. Within our own community, when debates take place between us, I hope we will always be able to pursue these conversations with mutual respect and intellectual humility. Letâs stand by each other with persevering solidarity and friendship through thick and thin, even when we might hold starkly contrasting views. In this world and in the beyond, we are one caravan.
Since the start of the pandemic, I have been saying special prayers for your good health at five different times in the day. I will continue to do so until this worldwide crisis is over. By the grace of the One, may a complete healing come soon.
Yours ever,
Pir Zia