Sufism Reoriented

Infobox NPO
organization_name = Sufism Reoriented
organization_
organization_motto =
organization_type = Non-profit religious corporation
founded = 1952
location = Walnut Creek, California
key_people = Carol Weyland Conner
fields =
services =
num_members =
homepage = [http://www.sufismreoriented.org/ sufismreoriented.org]

Sufism Reoriented is an American school of spiritual training created in 1952.

The group has its roots in the decision of Sufi leader Hazrat Inayat Khan's (1882–1927) appointed succesor in the West, Murshida Rabia Martin, to put her Sufi group under the direct spiritual guidance of Avatar Meher Baba in 1945. According to Don E. Stevens, who was present during this transition, Murshida Martin gave her mureeds two weeks to consider this decision carefully, and decide for themselves whether to stay with her, or leave the Order. This shift in allegiance to the Persian Master Meher Baba, caused a giant split in the American Sufi movement. The group that transferred their allegiance to Meher Baba was renamed "Sufism Reoriented" by Meher Baba. [Glow International [http://www.belovedarchives.org/glow_international/art007_02.html] ]

The members of Sufism Reoriented celebrate Meher Baba as the Avatar, the human incarnation of God and the spiritual authority of this age. [Glow International [http://www.belovedarchives.org/glow_international/art008_01.html] ] This represents a very substantial departure from Sufism in either its traditional Islamic form, or in the form taught by Hazrat Inayat Khan. It is worth noting that Meher Baba asserted that Sufism pre-dates the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him and His Family) having begun with the Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster) of Persia, [Kalchuri, Bhau: "Meher Prabhu: Lord Meher, The Biography of the Avatar of the Age, Meher Baba", "Manifestation, Inc." 1986. p. 1196] and that Muhammad gave Sufism a spiritual push back toward the essoteric aspect of the spiritual path (this last point was conveyed to Don E. Stevens by Meher Baba in person).

Meher Baba designed Sufism Reoriented as a universal spiritual school which recognizes a central core of divine love at the heart of all spiritual systems. Meher Baba reorganized patterns of life and inner training associated with ancient Sufism and adapted them to the needs of spiritual students in contemporary America. He identified the central principles of Sufism Reoriented as love and service: active love for God and active service to others in God’s world.

Those who are drawn to join this Sufi school share certain characteristics. First is an inner connection with divinity that cannot be denied or set aside, an overwhelming impetus to dedicate one’s life to God and to honor the divinity of life itself. Though this impulse may not always emerge in one’s daily awareness, it is felt at deeper levels as a central quality of life. Sufis identify it as love, and they recognize its fulfillment in Meher Baba, the very embodiment of love.

Those drawn to Sufism Reoriented also recognize a natural affinity with the school’s spiritual teacher, who occupies the office of Murshid. The term "Murshid" or "Murshida" means Guide. It is used in traditional Sufism to refer to the spiritual figure who directs a Sufi school. Meher Baba, who described himself as the "Murshid of Murshids", first received Murshida Rabia Martin as His follower, and agreed to guide her and her Sufi group. However, Murshida Martin died before meeting Meher Baba physically. [Kalchuri, Bhau: "Meher Prabhu: Lord Meher, The Biography of the Avatar of the Age, Meher Baba", "Manifestation, Inc." 1986. p. 3069] Before passing, Murshida Martin made Ivy Oneita Duce (1895–1981) her successor (the next Murshida), and Mrs. Duce thereby became the first Murshida of the new Sufism Reoriented under Meher Baba. Meher Baba confirmed this in India upon meeting Murshida Duce there. Before her passing, Murshida Duce named Dr. James S. B. MacKie (1932–2001) as her successor. He, in turn, designated Carol Weyland Conner, the current Murshida, as his successor.

Meher Baba Publications and Media

Sufism Reoriented is the copyright holder and publisher of several books by and about Meher Baba including Meher Baba's most important published book "". It also owns and publishes "Beams from Meher Baba on the Spiritual Panorama", "Life At Its Best", "Glimpses of the God-Man Meher Baba. Volume I", and "How a Master Works" by Ivy Oneita Duce. [Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust [http://www.ambppct.org/meherbaba/copyright/Copyrt.pdf AMBPPCT PDF file] ] In addition Sufism Reoriented owns and preserves numerous films and photographs of Baba. These include color 16mm films taken of Baba during his trip to the United States in 1956 by Charmian Duce Knowles, daughter of Murshida Ivy Oneita Duce.

ee also

*Sufism

References

External links

* [http://www.lordmeher.org/index.jsp?pageBase=page.jsp&nextPage=3069 Letter from Murshida Rabia Martin to Meher Baba dated August 24th, 1945]
* [http://www.jaibaba.com/mandali/ds/broughtsufis.html Who brought the Inayat Khan Sufi Group to Meher Baba]
* [http://www.belovedarchives.org/printer_friendly/glow_art008_pf.html Sufism Reoriented - Fifty Years Later]
* [http://www.boloji.com/wfs/wfs146.htm Article about Murshida Carol Weyland Conner]
* [http://www.belovedarchives.org/glow_international/art007_01.html Interview with Murshida Conner]