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Meditations on the Message is a monthly Meditation Retreat that focuses on the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan. Click on each of the links to listen to the tracks.

December 11, 2010

This class focuses on the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan on the subject of the The Training of the Ego: Necessity and Avidity. The teachings, supported with supplemental readings, meditations, and breath practices, are all aimed at the development of mastery over the limitations of one’s own personality and character, and the soften of the self-cherishing ego. In the words of Hazrat Inayat Khan, "In order to train the ego it is not necessary that cruelty be done to nature; discrimination is necessary, to understand how far one should satisfy the appetites and how far one should refrain from being addicted to such satisfactions."


Murshid Hidayat Inayat-Khan visits the "Meditations on the Message" class via Skype. Murshid Hidayat Inayat-Khan leads the Sufi Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan and introduces the teachings on Moral Culture.

PART 1: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 1 (Length 63:16)

• Opening Words & Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan
  Murshid Hidayat Inayat-Khan joined the class via Skype.
  
• Prayer: Sufi Invocation (Repeat)
• Silent Meditation: Watchword "Balance"
• Reflective Invocation of Masters, Saints and Prophets and what they have taught
  
• Review Reading: Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas,
  Part IX, Gatha 2.1, Saluk: Moral,
  "The Training of the Ego: Necessity and Avidity".
• Reading: Sufi Message Volume VIII, Sufi Teachings,
  "Resist Not Evil".

PART 2: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 2 (Length 60:53)

• Continued Reading: Sufi Message Volume VIII, Sufi Teachings,
  "Resist Not Evil".
• Reading: Sufi Message Volume XX, Cosmic Language
  "Reason" Story of Moses and Khidr.
• Reflection: from the Vadan by Hazrat Inayat Khan
  If dogs bark at the elephant, it takes no notice and goes on its way; so do the wise when attacked by the ignorant.
  
• Quote: by Shantideva
  "Think of those who hurt you and harm you as the great guru who has come to teach you strength and courage."
  
• Reflections: From the Sayings of Hidayat Inayat-Khan, 2010, currently untitled and unpublished. Nr. 29-37
  
• Request for Your Generosity and Support
  
  Donations are tax-deductible

November 13, 2010

This class focuses on the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan on the subject of the The Training of the Ego: The Three Stages of the Ego. The teachings, supported with supplemental readings, meditations, and breath practices, are all aimed at the development of mastery over the limitations of one’s own personality and character, and the soften of the self-cherishing ego. In the words of Hazrat Inayat Khan, "The first lesson that the ego must learn in order to develop into the humane state is that of pride in the form of self-respect."

PART 1: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 1 (Length 63:16)

• Tuning to the ringing of the Tibetan Medicine Bowl
  
• Prayer: Sufi Invocation and Salat
• Reflective Invocation of Masters, Saints and Prophets and what they have taught
  
• Reading from The Inner School, Esoteric Sufi Teachings
  On the subject: Natural Self
  By Hidayat Inayat-Khan
  Available through EkstasisEditions.com
• Review Reading: Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas,
  Part IX, Gatha 1.9, Saluk: Moral,
  "The Training of the Ego: The Three Parts of the Ego".
• Reading: Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas,
  Part X, Gatha 1.10, Saluk: Moral,
  "The Training of the Ego: The Three Stages of the Ego".
• Review Reading: Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas,
  Part IX, Gatha 1.8, Saluk: Moral,
  "The Training of the Ego: Vanity".
  

PART 2: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 2 (Length 60:53)

• Practice: Kasab (alternate nostril breathing)
• Reading: from the Collective Interviews, 1924
• Reading from Universal Sufism: Path of Breath, Prayer and Zikar
  Page 12 and 14. Available through Blurb.com
  
• Reading from Universal Sufism: Path of Breath, Prayer and Zikar
  Page 16 and 17. Available through Blurb.com
  
• Reading: Sufi Message Volume IX, The Unity of Religious Ideals,
  Part III, "The Master, The Saint and The Prophet".
• Practice: Kasab (alternate nostril breathing)
• Reflections on the Art of Personality No. 79
  By Hidayat Inayat-Khan
  Available through EkstasisEditions.com
  
• Request for Your Generosity and Support
  
  Donations are tax-deductible

September 11, 2010

This class focuses on the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan on the subject of the The Training of the Ego: The Three Parts of the Ego. The teachings, supported with supplemental readings, meditations, and breath practices, are all aimed at the development of mastery over the limitations of one’s own personality and character, and the soften of the self-cherishing ego. In the words of Hazrat Inayat Khan, "The ego is divided into three parts, the physical ego, the mental ego, and the spiritual ego. The mental ego covers the spiritual ego, and the physical ego is a cover over the mental ego. The ego indeed is one, but these are the three different aspects of the ego."

PART 1: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 1 (Length 6:45)

• Opening Words & Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan
  Murshid Hidayat Inayat-Khan joined the class via Skype to open the session with the Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan.
  (Audio not available)
  
• Welcome and Reflection on the Centennial of Hazrat Inayat Khan
  
• Sufi Invocation

PART 2: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 2 (Length 46:54)

• Reading: from The Complete Works of Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan, 1923 I: January-June, Series 1 Githa Number 2, Page 227
  Subject: Meditation
  
• Practice: the Purification Breaths
• Reading: Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas,
  Part IX, Gatha 1.7, Saluk: Moral, Paragraph 1,
  "The Training of the Ego: The Three Parts of the Ego".
• Discussion

PART 3: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 3 (Length 64:05)

• Meditation and Reflection:
  
• Inhalation: Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth,
  
• Exhalation: give me the power to control my self and balance my life
  
• Reading from An Introduction to the Message in Our Time, Chapter: Alchemy of Happiness
  By Hidayat Inayat-Khan
• Meditation and Reflection: Door to the Heart
• Reading from Once Upon a Time, Early Days Stories About My Beloved Father and Mother, Chapter 6, A Workman Digging in the Street By Hidayat Inayat-Khan
  Available through Sufimovement.org
• Meditation and Reflection:
  
• Inhalation: Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth,
  
• Exhalation: give me the power to control my self and balance my life
  
• Closing Prayer Khatum

August 14, 2010

This class focuses on the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan on the subject of the The Training of the Ego: Vanity . The teachings, supported with supplemental readings, meditations, and breath practices, are all aimed at the development of mastery over the limitations of one’s own personality and character, and the soften of the self-cherishing ego. In the words of Hazrat Inayat Khan, "Man has the desire to do good and to refrain from doing evil because to do so feeds his vanity. Among thousands it is one great soul that can keep firm and strong in his purpose through life, unshaken and unweakened by opposition from any side. It is that person who wins in the end and accomplishes things that are worthwhile."

Murshid Hidayat Inayat-Khan visits the "Meditations on the Message" class via Skype. Murshid Hidayat Inayat-Khan leads the Sufi Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan and speaks briefly on the meaning of the Invocation.
from International Sufi Movement on Vimeo.

PART 1: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 1 (Length 57:45)

• Tuning to the ringing of the Tibetan Medicine Bowl
  
• Opening Words & Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan
  Murshid Hidayat Inayat-Khan joined the class via Skype to open the session with the Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan.
  
• Prayer Salat
  
• Reflective Invocation of Masters, Saints and Prophets
• Introduction: Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas,
  Part VII, Gatha 1.7, Saluk: Moral, Paragraph 1,
  "The Training of the Ego: Vanity".
• Practice: the Purification Breaths
• Reading: from Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas,
  Part VII, Gatha 1.7, Saluk: Moral.
  "The Training of the Ego: Self-Consciousness".

PART 2: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 2 (Length 52:48)

• Continuing the cycle of teachings: dealing with the subject of our inner moral culture, the Art of Personality and Character-Building.
  
• Continued: Reading: from Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas,
  Part VII, Gatha 1.7, Saluk: Moral,
  "The Training of the Ego: Vanity".
• Meditation and Reflection:
  
• Inhalation: Give me new spirit of enthusiasm and courage
  
• Exhalation: to proceed on life's path
  
• Prayer: Nabi
• Reading: Message Paper, The Peculiarity of Great Masters, Rama

PART 3: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 3 (Length 27:33)

• Meditation and Reflection:
  
• Inhalation: Balance my life,
  
• Exhalation: That I may know and act aright.
  
• Prayer: Dowa
• Reading from the Social Gathekas
  Subject: Path of Initiation
  
• Reading from Once Upon a Time, Early Days Stories About My Beloved Father and Mother, Chapter 6, The Jug of Cool Water
  By Hidayat Inayat-Khan
  Available through Sufimovement.org
• Meditation and Reflection:
  
• Inhalation: Give me new spirit of enthusiasm and courage
  
• Exhalation: to proceed on life's path
  
• Closing Prayer Khatum

June 12, 2010

This class focuses on the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan on the subject of the The Training of the Ego: Self-Consciousness. The teachings, supported with supplemental readings, meditations, and breath practices, are all aimed at the development of mastery over the limitations of one’s own personality and character, and the soften of the self-cherishing ego. In the words of Hazrat Inayat Khan, "There is a tendency in man to think a great deal about what others think of him, and in some natures this tendency develops quickly. This develops in him self-consciousness, which is the root of several defects in man. It enfeebles man physically and mentally, and makes him dependent upon the opinion of others; so to speak, he lives on the good opinion of others, and he is as dead when they have a bad opinion about him."

PART 1: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 1 (Length 58:10)

• Opening Words & Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan
  Murshid Hidayat Inayat-Khan joined the class via Skype to open the session with the Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan.
  
• Hidayat Inayat-Khan speaks on the subject:
  Training the Ego: Self-Consciousness
• Tuning to the ringing of the Tibetan Medicine Bowl
  
• Sufi Invocation and Prayer Salat
  
• Reflective Invocation of Masters, Saints and Prophets
• Reading: from Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas,
  Part VII, Gatha 1.7, Saluk: Moral, Paragraph 1,
  "The Training of the Ego: Self-Consciousness".
• Reading from the Flower Garden of Inayat Khan, Page 18 & 32
  Available through Sufimovement.org
  
• Reading from Once Upon a Time,
  On the Subject of Zikar and Rhythm
  Available through Sufimovement.org
  
• Practice: the Stretch Breath

PART 2: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 2 (Length 54:33)

• Reading: from Reflections on the Art of Personality 
  No. 2, 3, 9, 11
  By Hidayat Inayat-Khan
  Available through EkstasisEditions.com
  
• Continuing the cycle of teachings: dealing with the subject of our inner moral culture, the Art of Personality and Character-Building.
  
• Reading: from Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas,
  Part VII, Gatha 1.7, Saluk: Moral.
  "The Training of the Ego: Self-Consciousness".
• Reading: Sufi Message Volume III, Character and Personality,
  Part 1. Character-Building, "Will-Power"
• Continued: Reading: from Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas,
  Part VII, Gatha 1.7, Saluk: Moral,
  "The Training of the Ego: Self-Consciousness".
• Social Gatheka 27, Divine Manner 1
• Social Gatheka 28, Divine Manner 2
• Meditation and Reflection: From the Vadan:
  
• Exhalation: Let me forget myself, Lord,
  
• Inhalation: That I may become conscious of Thy Being.
  

PART 3: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 3 (Length 49:32)

• Reading from Universal Sufism:
  On the Subject of Mysticism and Jelal, Jemal, Kemal
  Available through Blurb.com
  
• Practice: Triangle Breaths
• Practice: Singing Zikar of Hazrat Inayat Khan
  
• Closing Prayer Khatum

May 8, 2010

PART 1: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 1 (Length 56:22)

• Invocation and Opening Words by Murshid Hidayat Inayat-Khan
  Murshid Hidayat joined the class via Skype to open the session with the Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan and a powerful message on the subject of the Ego from a Sufi Point of View.
  
• Silent Meditation
  
• Prayer: Salat
  
• Reflective Invocation of Masters, Saints and Prophets
  
• Reading from Universal Sufism: Page 11-12
  On the Subject of the Rhythm of Breath
  Available through Blurb.com
  
• Reflection and Practice: Lines from the Prayer Khatum:
  
• Inhalation: Draw us closer to Thee...
  
• Exhalation: ...every moment of our life
  
• Reading from Reflections on the Art of Personality 
  No. 1, 10, 96, 49
  By Hidayat Inayat-Khan
  Available through EkstasisEditions.com
  

PART 2: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 2 (Length 29:32)

• The Alchemical Process: Phases, God Realization and Self Realization
  
• Continuing the cycle of teachings: dealing with the subject of our inner moral culture, the Art of Personality and Character-Building.
  
• Reading from Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas,
  Part V, Gatha 1.6, Saluk: Moral,
  "The Training of the Ego: The Animal Side of Man's Ego".
  

PART 3: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 3 (Length 48:09)

• Reading from The Inner School, Esoteric Sufi Teachings
  On the subject: Tuning the Ego
  By Hidayat Inayat-Khan
  Available through EkstasisEditions.com
• Reflection and Practice: Lines from the Prayer Khatum:
  
• Inhalation: Draw us closer to Thee every moment of our life
  
• Exhalation: Until in us be reflected Thy Grace, Thy Glory,
  Thy Wisdom, Thy Joy and Thy Peace.
  
• Reading from The Inner School, Esoteric Sufi Teachings
  On the subject: The Alchemy of Happiness
  By Hidayat Inayat-Khan
  Available through EkstasisEditions.com
• Practice: External Zikar
  
• Closing Prayer Khatum
  

March 13, 2010

PART 1: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 1 (Length 56:22)

• Opening
  Tuning to the ringing of the Tibetan Medicine Bowl.
  
• Reflective Invocation of Masters, Saints and Prophets
  
• Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan
  
• Prayer: Saum
  
• Reading from the Flower Garden of Inayat Khan, Page 32,
  On the Subject of Divine Personality
  Available through Sufimovement.org
  
• Reading from Universal Sufism: Page 7-8
  On the Subject of Prana
  Available through Blurb.com
  
• Practice: The Stretch Breath
  

PART 2: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 2 (Length 29:32)

• Reading from Reflections on the Art of Personality No. 45
  By Hidayat Inayat-Khan
  Available through EkstasisEditions.com
  
• Reflection and Practice: Lines from the Prayer Saum:
  
  
• Pour upon us Thy love and Thy light,
  
• Give sustenance to our bodies, hearts and souls
  
  
• Use us for the purpose that Thy wisdom chooseth,
• And guide us on the path of Thine own goodness
  
  
• Draw us closer to Thee every moment of our life,
• Until in us be reflected Thy Grace, Thy Glory, Thy Wisdom, Thy Joy and Thy Peace.
  
  
• Practice: Singing of Quote by Hazrat Inayat Khan
  Let Thy Wish Become My Desire
• Discussion

PART 3: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 3 (Length 48:09)

• Continuing the cycle of teachings: dealing with the subject of our inner moral culture, the Art of Personality and Character-Building.
  
• Reading from Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas,
  Part V, Gatha 1.5, Saluk: Moral,
  "The Training of the Ego: Constant Battle with the Ego".
  
• Practice: Alternate Nostril Breathing - From the Tibetan Buddhist, Nyingma Tradition
  
• Closing Prayer Khatum
  

February 13, 2010

PART 1: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 1 (Length 51:39)

• Opening
  Tuning to the ringing of the Tibetan Medicine Bowl.
  
• Reflective Invocation of Masters, Saints and Prophets
  
• Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan
  
• Introduction of Subject:
  “The Training of the Ego: What the Ego Needs and What It Does not Need?”
  
• Reading from the Flower Garden of Inayat Khan, Page 22
  Available through Sufimovement.org
  
• Reflection on the last line of the Prayer Saum: "Until in us be reflected Thy Grace, Thy Glory, Thy Wisdom, Thy Joy and Thy Peace.
  
• Practice: The Five Divine Qualities related to the Elemental Breaths
  
• Reading from the Flower Garden of Inayat Khan, Page 30, "Inayat Khan's Words" Available through Sufimovement.org
  
• Reflective discussion on the reading.
  

PART 2: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part 2 (Length 57:46)

• Reading from Universal Sufism: Page 22-23
  Available through Blurb.com
  
• Practice: Zikar version 1.1 (in English):
  Head moving left to right saying, “There is nothing”.
  From right to left, “Only God IS!”
• Practice: Zikar version 1.2 Continued (in English):
  Head rises up, “Open our hearts towards Thy Beauty”.
  Head moves down and though/feeling resides in the heart, “Illuminate our souls with Divine Light”
• Continuing the cycle of teachings: dealing with the subject of our inner moral culture, the Art of Personality and Character-Building.
  
• Reading from Reflections on the Art of Personality No. 39
  By Hidayat Inayat-Khan
  Available through EkstasisEditions.com
  
• Meditation:
  Taking inventory of one’s own personality and character. Reflect what was the intention during last month’s meditation and what is our intention for this next month.
  
• Reading from Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas,
  Part V, Gatha 1.4, Saluk: Moral,
  “The Training of the Ego: What the Ego Needs and What It Does Not Need?”.
  
• Reflective discussion on the reading.
  
• Practice: Zikar version 1.1 (in English):
  Head moving left to right saying, “There is nothing”.
  From right to left, “Only God IS!”
• Practice: Zikar version 1.2 Continued (in English):
  Head rises up, “Open our hearts towards Thy Beauty”.
  Head moves down and though/feeling resides in the heart, “Illuminate our souls with Divine Light”
• Continuing the cycle of teachings: dealing with the subject of our inner moral culture, the Art of Personality and Character-Building.
  
• Clarification: from the Reading on February 5th - From the Collective Interviews: Things to Remember.
  
• Closing Prayer Khatum
  

January 16, 2010

PART 1: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part I (Length 45:56)

• Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan
  Murshid Hidayat Inayat-Khan joined the class via Skype to open the session with the Invocation of Hazrat Inayat Khan.
  
• Introduction of Subject:
  “The Development of Personality: What Is the Ego?”
  
• Reading from the Flower Garden of Inayat Khan
  Available through Sufimovement.org
  
• Reading New Year Message by Murshid Hidayat Inayat-Khan, The Alchemy of Happiness. http://www.sufimovement.us/pom_special.htm
  
• Reading from Universal Sufism: Path of Breath, Prayer and Zikar
  Available through Blurb.com
  
• Introduction to the Practice: Practice of Zikar (in English):
  Head to the left sweeping toward the right and back again repeatedly.
  Left to right saying, “There is nothing”.
  From right to left, “Only God IS!”

PART 2: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part I (Length 45:56)

• Continuing the cycle of teachings: dealing with the subject of our inner moral culture, the Art of Personality and Character-Building.
  
• Reflections on the Art of Personality No. 11, 12, and 17
  By Hidayat Inayat-Khan
  Available through EkstasisEditions.com
  
• Meditation:
  Taking inventory of one’s own personality and character. Reflect what was the intention during last month’s meditation and what is our intention for this next month.
  
• Reading from Sufi Message Volume XIII, The Gathas, Part V, Gatha 1.3, Saluk: Moral:
  “The Development of Personality: What Is the Ego?”.
  
• Reflective discussion on the reading.
  

PART 3: PRACTICES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Play Audio of Part I (Length 45:56)

• Reflective discussion on the reading (Continued).
  
• Practice: The Elemental Breaths
  
• Closing Prayer Khatum
  

With our love,
Nuria, Joe, and all Sufi Brothers and Sisters • USA

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