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The Inayati Order (formerly the Sufi Order International) is an esoteric school
which provides a setting in which real spiritual experience is possible. We encourage
awakening in life, and we work towards a balanced and grounded spirituality. We also
encourage an attitude of affirmation of the common ideals of all religious faiths.
We do not require an acceptance of any specific religious beliefs, nor do we seek
to convert anyone from one faith to another. We feel that real development can only
take place if people work with what is meaningful for them, and that a deepening of
one's spiritual experience is essential to informed belief. We try to create a safe
environment where people will feel free to be spiritually open. Because of this need,
we discourage discussions or debates on religious opinions or theology. Instead we
attempt to focus any discussion on the experiences which result from spiritual practice.
Our hope for our students is that they will find deeper meaning
in their own religious beliefs through the experiences gained in our school, and that
they will develop an enhanced tolerance towards religious beliefs other than their
own.
The Inayati Order was founded by Hazrat
Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan (1882 - 1927) and, until his death, was led by his son,
Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan (1916-2004). Pir
Zia Inayat Khan, the son of Pir Vilayat, now leads the Inayati Order International.
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