To: tariqas@world.std.com From: Hugh Talat Halman Subject: Sufi Order in the West (9408.sufism-.hth) Date: 49940707 Recently a question about the Sufi Order in the West was raised. The Sufi Order in the West was founded by Murshid Hazrat 'Inayat Khan, trained in Ajmeer India in the silsalah of the Chisti Sufi Order.The Chistiyya have been distinguished as the tariqa most inclusive of Hindu wisdom and yogic practice. It was a Chisti shaikh to whom Akbar expressed gratitude for the barakat that led to the birth of a son. In the mileu of this extremely ecumenical tariqa, Hazrat 'Inayat Khan learned in addition to Sufism the mastery of the musical instrument known as the Vina. Hazrat 'Inayat Khan came to Europe and America around the turn of the century and taught Sufism sans Shariah. One of his students was Samuel Lewis ("Sufi Sam") famous for promulgating the Universal Dances of World Peace. Hazrat 'Inayat Khan married a niece of Mary Baker Eddy and fathered a daughter who died in the French Resistance and a son, Pir Vilayat 'Inayat Khan. Pir Vilayat studied meditation extensively and comprehensively especially in India. In the 1960s he began leading the Sufi Order in the West. The handful of people I know in this movement (I am not a member) are sincere,contemplative, and highly respectful of Islam. May this contribute to your understanding. Hugh Talat Halman 118 Gray Bldg. Duke University Durham NC, 27708