Sufism: The Religion of the Heart
Toward the One The Perfection of Love, Harmony and Beauty The Only Being United with All the Illuminated Souls Who form the Embodiment of the Master The Spirit of Guidance — Hazrat Inayat Khan
The Call of the Heart
To understand the Sufi path is to look beyond the intellect and into the essence of being. The word Sufi draws from two deep wells: the Greek Sophia (Wisdom) and the Arabic Saf (Purity). To be pure, in this sense, is not to be “perfect,” but to be natural—to strip away the layers of ego and conditioning until only your true essence remains.
Sufism is not a religion of dogma or a rigid cult of personality. It is a universal heritage that has belonged to humanity in every age. It is the simple, profound knowledge of how to live both the outer and inner life in harmony.
One Truth, Many Voices
Universal Sufism, as introduced to the West by Hazrat Inayat Khan, is a “Religion of the Heart” that transcends sectarian boundaries. The Sufi does not stand in opposition to any faith but finds the resonance of truth in all of them. Whether found in a cathedral, a mosque, a temple, or the silence of the woods, the Sufi recognizes the same “Holy Book”—the sacred manuscript of Nature.
Guided by the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan, we recognize:
- One Source: The Only Being.
- One Religion: The continuous human progress toward Love, Harmony, and Beauty.
- One Law: The Law of Reciprocity and Kinship with all life.
Living the Sacred Every Day
The work of Sufism is the art of transformation – making the ordinary, extraordinary. It asks us: How do we make our daily life sacred? When we align our breath and our actions with our spiritual ideals, our work, our families, and our struggles become a form of meditation. Success, happiness, and peace are not rewards to be earned, but the natural results of a soul realising its own nature. In this light, every seeker of truth is a Sufi, whether they carry the name or not.
Our Lineage: Sufi Ruhaniat International
The Sufi Ruhaniat International (SRI) is a global spiritual family dedicated to the truth that lives at the heart of all religions. Founded in 1970 by Murshid Samuel L. Lewis (Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti), the Ruhaniat anchors the universalist Message in movement, breath, and “green spirituality”—a path that honors the sacredness of the Earth.
Walking the path together
The journey of the soul is rarely taken alone. In the Sufi tradition, the seeker is supported by Bayat—not as a commitment to a dogma, but as an entrance into a living stream of guidance. This step connects you to the Silsila, an unbroken chain of illuminated souls, providing the spiritual “current” and protection needed to navigate the beautiful depths of the inner life.
Our Guides on the Journey
Founder of the Sufi Ruhaniat International, who bridged East and West through the Dances of Universal Peace and the living breath of the Message.
The first spiritual successor to Murshid Sam, who nurtured the budding Ruhaniat and anchored our commitment to a ‘green spirituality’ and the sacredness of the Earth.
Our present Spiritual Director, who carries the lineage forward with a focus on the yoga of sound, the depth of the heart, and the global family of seekers.
Continuing the journey
The Sufi stream is vast, and my own practice has been deeply enriched by the voices and traditions that have come before. I offer these resources in the hope that they might broaden your horizon and help you find the resonance that speaks most clearly to your own soul’s longing.
- More on Sufism – A gateway to the foundational philosophy and history of the path. This collection explores the universal message of Love, Harmony, and Beauty, tracing how these truths manifest through the Chisti lineage and the wider Sufi tradition.
- Regular Classes — Join our ongoing circles for Meditation in Ormskirk, Online Sacred Sound, and in-depth study of The Inner Life. These sessions are designed to support your daily practice and provide a consistent space for remembrance and connection.
- Class Recordings – An archive of our shared circles, providing the opportunity to immerse yourself in the yoga of sound. These recordings serve as a living record of our study, helping to bridge the silence between our gatherings and keeping the spiritual current flowing.
- The Inner School (Password Protected) – A dedicated sanctuary for those who have taken Bayat. This protected area holds the core protocols of our work, including the Mureed’s Handbook and specific Sadhana instructions necessary for your inner transformation.