Murshid Samuel L. Lewis (1896–1971) was a mystic schooled in both Zen and Sufism, recognized as a teacher in both traditions, who felt that spirituality should be a matter of living experience, not division and conflict. His spiritual successor, Murshid Moineddin Jablonski (1942–2001) believed that spirituality was not fully realized until fully embodied, with all elements of the personality – light and dark – included in a life of joy and compassion. Both lived and taught in the tradition of Hazrat Inayat Khan (1882–1927), who brought the Universal Sufism into the west. On this way we recognize equally all the different spititual traditions of the world and honor them as an expression of the Holy. Our current spiritual director is Pir Shabda Kahn.

The Ruhaniat is composed of sincere mureeds (formally initiated students) who tread the path of initiation and discipleship, seeking the truth of the inner life through personal practice and direct experience—just as the disciples of many other Illuminated Souls, known and unknown, have done through the ages.

We have recently crossed the threshold between the old millenium and the new. Many contemporary tools are at our disposal to help us in our personal and spiritual growth. At the same time, we represent a tradition which has its roots in prehistory. The sacred practices and teachings which have come down to us from diverse climes and cultures in an unbroken line, have been carefully cultivated and prepared for us by innumerable spiritual forebears.

Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan, the bringer of the Sufi Message to the western world, said

"The Sufic method of realization—the practice of Nimaz, Wazifa, Fikr, Qasab, Shaghal, and Amal—is claimed to be the easiest, shortest, and most interesting for spiritual accomplishment. Yet, there is no common course of study for individual mureeds; each receives the special training best adapted to meet his or her requirements."

To each of you, mureed and non-mureed alike, is offered these words of counsel from Hazrat Pir Moineddin Jablonski, the spiritual successor of Murshid Samuel Lewis, who guided the Ruhaniat from 1971 until his death in 2001:

"Deepen your compassion. Love the wounded places in you that need healing. Open yourself to the grace of illumination. give freely of your joy. Share your neighbor's burden. Through all these avenues, discover your Soul."