The Sufi Ruhaniat International (SRI) is a stream of Universal Sufism and draws inspiration from traditions of Sufism within and beyond historic Islam. SRI is an initiatic order within the lineage of Inayat Khan (Inayati-Chishtiyya). Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti (Samuel L. Lewis), a disciple of Inayat Khan, formally founded the order in 1970. There are centers throughout the United States, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
History
Universal Sufism was established in the early 20th century. Two forms made up early Universal Sufism: the Sufi Order, which Inayat Khan separated from Islam and brought to the West, and westerners of the more traditional Shadhili Order. Both held the principle of universalism, according to which Sufism can be valid for anyone, regardless of their background.
Inayat Khan originally belonged to the Chishti Order, but founded the Sufi Order between 1915 and 1917 as an independent universalist take on Sufism. After his death in 1927, the Sufi Order split over Khan's succession. Leadership over the Order ultimately went to Inayat Khan's brother, Maheboob Khan.
Inayat Khan's first disciple in America, Rabia Martin, assuming from a letter from Inayat Kahn that she would have to "attend to my [Inayat Khan's] affairs in the West", found herself rejected by the community. She continued independently, and recognized Meher Baba as the Avatar of the age, eventually giving rise to Sufism Reoriented.
One of Martin's disciples was Samuel Lewis, who had also been a student of Inayat Khan. In the late 1960s, Murshid Samuel L. Lewis began initiating and training students first under the banner of Zen and then of Sufism. The Sufi Ruhaniat International was incorporated as the Sufi Islamia Ruhaniat Society by Lewis in November 1970 to help carry on his Sufi initiatic lineage in the Chishti Sufi tradition, shortly before his death in 1971. In 2002 the name was changed to Sufi Ruhaniat International.
Shortly before his passing, Lewis appointed as his successor his Khalif Moineddin Jablonski, who directed the organization from 1971 until his own passing in 2001. Jablonski was succeeded by Shabda Kahn as Pir of the lineage.
Dargah
When Samuel Lewis died, he asked that his body be buried at the interspiritual community of Lama Foundation, near Taos, New Mexico. The grave became a pilgrimage site (known as a dargah and was rebuilt several times in the intervening years. In August 2017, work was completed on a new building surrounding the gravesite. It is designed to facilitate visits by pilgrims in the same way that Sufi dargahs in other parts of the world do.
Beliefs
Inayat defined three objectives of Universal Sufism: 1. To establish a human unity with no consideration of caste, creed, race, nation, or religion. Differences produce inharmony and cause all miseries in the world.
2. To spread the wisdom of Sufis which has been until now, a hidden treasure, it being the property of humankind which does not belong to a certain race or religion.
3. To attain that perfection where mysticism remains no more a mystery, which relieves the disbeliever from ignorance and the believer from falling victim to hypocrisy.
Concentrations
Esoteric School
Initiation and progress on the path of discipleship is the central theme of the Sufi Ruhaniat International. The relationship between teacher and student exists for the purpose of providing training that leads to realization of the Divine essence in each human being, and to leading a life of service to God and humanity. Through various centers, classes are offered both to the general public (in accordance with the brother/sisterhood work) and to those interested in the path of initiation. Initiates are expected to maintain a relationship with a spiritual guide. Students are referred to as mureeds.
Dervish Healing Order
The Dervish Healing Order serves as that aspect of the Sufi Ruhaniat International which maintains and promotes the vision of health and Divine Healing as presented by Inayat Khan. The Dervish Healing Order is an initiatory order. All members have demonstrated their deep involvement in some aspect of healing, either toward self or others. A primary activity is the conduction of the Healing Service of Inayat Khan.