Sufism Reoriented
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Sufism Reoriented | |
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| Type: | Non-profit religious corporation |
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| Founded: | 1952 |
| Location: | Walnut Creek, California |
| Key people: | Carol Weyland Conner |
| Website: | sufismreoriented.org |
Sufism Reoriented is an American school of spiritual training created in 1952 when disciples of the Sufi leader Inayat Khan shifted their allegiance to the Indian guru Meher Baba, causing a split in the American Sufi movement. The faction that transferred their allegiance to Meher Baba named themselves "Sufism Reoriented". The members of Sufism Reoriented celebrate Meher Baba as the Avatar, the human incarnation of God, the spiritual authority of this age.[1] This represents a very substantial departure from Sufism in either its original Islamic form, or in the form taught by Hazrat Inayat Khan.
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.[2] 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.
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[edit] 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 God Speaks: the Theme of Creation and Its Purpose. 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.[3] 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.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Glow International [1]
- ^ Kalchuri, Bhau: "Meher Prabhu: Lord Meher, The Biography of the Avatar of the Age, Meher Baba", Manifestation, Inc. 1986. p. 3069
- ^ Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust AMBPPCT PDF file
[edit] External links
- Letter from Murshida Rabia Martin to Meher Baba dated August 24th, 1945
- Who brought the Inayat Khan Sufi Group to Meher Baba
- Sufism Reoriented - Fifty Years Later
- Article about Murshida Carol Weyland Conner
- Interview with Murshida Conner
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