Spiritual Guidance Leaders Training Module
Presented by the Inner School of the Inayatiyya
with Amida Cary, Azar Baksh Don Weiner, Suhrawardi Gebel and Naima Khabira Brown
Online, Saturdays 10 AM - 6 PM EST, Nov. 4 & 11, 2023
“Then the question arises: what is meant by initiation? Initiation, or in Sufi terms Bayat, first of all has to do with the relationship between the pupil and the Murshid(a). The Murshid(a) is understood to be the counselor on the spiritual path. The Murshid(a) does not give anything to or teach the pupil, the murid, for they cannot give what the latter already has; they cannot teach what one’s soul has always known. What is done in the life of the murid is to show how the path can be clear towards the light within by one’s own self. This is the only purpose of one’s life on earth. One may attain the purpose of life without a personal guide, but to try to do so is to be like a ship traversing the ocean without a compass. To take initiation, then, means entrusting oneself in regard to spiritual matters to a spiritual guide.” - Hazrat inayat Khan
We invite you to the Spiritual Guidance Leaders Training Module offered by of the Inner School of the Inayatiyya. The Inner School’s Leaders Training Modules are a comprehensive, deep course of study in foundational meditation practices for teaching classes and guiding Murids.
The presenters for this course are senior guides of the Inner School. During the two days they will guide participants through the foundational practices of Spiritual Guidance in a sacred atmosphere. There will be opportunities to ask questions, share experiences and engage in an online community of friendship. Participants will receive a manual of the sacred sound practices which are covered in the course.
Completion of the Leaders Training Modules are a requirement for appointment as a Representative. Representatives in training in the Inner school of the Inayatiyya Leadership Training program will need to have completed this course during or before their training; existing Coordinators and Coordinators in training are also encouraged to take this course. Existing Representatives and Coordinators are also invited to take this course for ongoing enrichment or as a refresher.
For questions please contact leadership@inayatiyya.org.
When : Saturdays, Nov. 4 & 11, 2023
Time : 10 AM - 6 PM ET (New York)
Where : Your sacred space! This is an online class through Zoom
Registration : Coordinators, Representatives, and Coordinators or Representatives in training in the Inayatiyya Inner School may register by going to https://inayatispiritualguidance2023.eventbee.com. All are welcome to attend at whatever cost they can afford.
Cost : Early Registration: $130.00 by Oct. 29th, Registration: $150 after Oct. 29th, 2023. Refresher or current Suluk attendee $95. Refresher is for those who wish to retake the modules to further grow and enhance their skills. To request a lower price contact leadership@inayatiyya.org to get a discount code to use during registration.
Upon registration the instructions for connecting to the online course will be sent via email. PC, Mac, Android, and IOS are all supported.
Amida Cary is Co-Vice President of the Inayatiyya Inner School in North America, as well as Director of the Inayatiyya’s Retreat Concentration. She is a guide to students and retreatants worldwide as well as a mentor to up and coming Inayatiyya leadership. Amida is an experienced spiritual and retreat guide and has worked closely with Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, Aziza Scott, and Pir Zia Inayat Khan. She collaborated with Pir Vilayat for many years editing his curriculum and establishing the website universel.net. She is a founder of Suluk Academy and has served as Suluk faculty.
Azar Baksh Don Weiner is a senior teacher in the Inayatiyya and a retired Ph.D. psychologist. He was deeply involved with the Inner School ethics committee for over twenty years. He has been teaching meditation to a variety of populations for over 50 years. He has written “GPS for the Spiritual Journey” and “Upgrading the Operating System of the Soul: A Manual of Quantum Sufism (with a foreword by Pir Vilayat)”. He and his wife Ravani Rah Diane Weiner have written “The Gabrielite Work – Broadband Spirituality for the 21st Century, Awakening as a Human*Divine Being”, and “Beyond the Wonderful- Transforming the World with the Light of Your Being”. They have developed a synthesis of their work together over the years called the Gabrielite Work, which offers advanced spiritual methodology integrating contemporary scientific discoveries with the wisdom of ancient Sufi traditions, as well as the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan, Pir Vilayat, and Pir Zia. Video and audio recordings of classes they have offered are available on their YouTube channel – drdonwcc.
Suhrawardi Gebel has been a murid since 1971 and a guide in the Order since 1980. He is a mentor for leaders-in-training for the Inner School. He has contributed to the training of retreat guides and has offered individual retreats for many years. From 2004 to 2012 he served as Secretary General for the Order and served as Chancellor of the Knighthood of Purity until 2022. He is currently Chancellor Emeritus. Suluk Press has published two of his books, “Root Speaks to Bud” and “Nature’s Hidden Dimension: Envisioning the Inner Life of the Universe” and will soon publish “No God or Only God: Atheism, Nonduality, and Self-Realization.”.
Naima Khabira Brown teaches numerous classes on the mystical practices and timeless themes of the Inner School including the international program on The Divine Names. She served as Vice President of the Inner School where among other responsibilities she directed and developed the new leaders training program of which she continues advise and mentor. She is a member of the Esoteric Training Committee and offers Leaders Training Modules for the Inner School as well as serving as a Retreat Guide. She is a founding mentor for Suluk Academy and has participated in many supportive roles since its inception in 2003. She is a center leader and teacher for the Inayatiyya of the Greater Boston Area.