"I first believed without any hesitation in the existence of the soul, and then I wondered about the secret of its nature. I persevered and strove in search of the soul, and found at last that I myself was the cover over my soul. I realized that that in me which believed and that in me which wondered, that which persevered in me, and that which found, and that which was found at last, was no other than my soul. I thanked the darkness that brought me to the light, and I valued the veil which prepared for me the vision in which I saw myself reflected, the vision produced in the mirror of my soul. Since then I have seen all souls as my soul, and realized my soul as the soul of all; and what bewilderment it was when I realized that I alone was, if there were anyone; that I am whatever and whoever exists; and that I shall be whoever there will be in the future. And there was no end to my happiness and joy."

Most people know Hazrat Inayat Khan as the person responsible for taking Sufism to the West around the beginning of this century. But the story of this unique musician-mystic's spiritual quest begins much earlier.

Hazrat Inayat Khan, founder of the Sufi Healing Order, was born in Baroda, India, on July 5, 1882, into a family of great musicians. The house in which he grew up was a crossroads for visiting poets, composers, mystics, and thinkers. There they met and discussed their views (religious and otherwise) in an environment of openness and mutual understanding. This produced in the young man a sympathy for many different religions, and a strong feeling of the “oneness” of all faiths and creeds.

Inayat would listen to the evening prayers sung in his household with great interest, and was impressed with the spiritual atmosphere produced by the chanting. From a young age, he was interested in going beyond thinking about religious issues. He wanted a direct “link with God”.

He developed considerable skill at the Vina (an Indian instrument). At eighteen, he went on a concert tour throughout India intent on reviving some of the older folk songs which were being replaced by more popular melodies. He felt these songs carried a special spiritual quality which was being lost. This brought him some critical acclaim, and he was invited to perform in the courts of Rajas (the rulers of India’s princely states who cooperated with the British).

Inayat began to seek spiritual guidance at this point. He had seen the face of a very spiritual bearded man off and on in his dreams for some time. One day in Hyderabad, he had a premonition that something important was about to occur. A short time later, the man he had seen in his dreams entered the room.

Both teacher and disciple were immediately drawn to each other. The teacher was Mohammed Abu Hasana whose family originally came from Medina, the sacred city of Islam in Saudi Arabia. Mohammed was a member of the Chishti Sufi Order that was introduced into India at the close of the 12th century A.D. Inayat maintained close contact with his teacher for four years. During this time, he experienced a level of realization that made God a reality in his life. As his master lay dying, he told Inayat: “Go to the Western world my son and unite East and West through the magic of your music”. Two years later, in September of 1910, Inayat sailed for America.

Inayat began to teach and discuss his world view with different people who would ask what to call this mode of thought. For a long time, Inayat refused to give it a name fearing it would create barriers between people. He would say only it was ancient wisdom from the one and only source. He emphasized how none of the great spiritual teachers gave a name to their religious views. Finally, knowing that a body of thought needs some identifier to unify it, he told people it was Sufism.

Inayat began to travel and lecture first in the United States and later in Europe. He traveled widely between 1910 and 1920. He decided to do more intensive teaching during the summer in France, and took up residence there near Paris in Suresnes where he could hold his “summer schools”.

His teaching strongly emphasized the fundamental oneness of all religions. He was deeply concerned that many of the western religious traditions had lost knowledge of the “science of soul”, and the prayer and meditation techniques necessary to develop higher consciousness in man.

Inayat had been a tireless teacher, writer, and lecturer traveling and lecturing almost continuously for seventeen years. He had established his school in France, and a dedicated group of disciples. But, his difficult schedule had weakened him over the years. He left for India to see his homeland for the first time in seventeen years. He hoped to rest and meditate but was asked to lecture and graciously consented as was common. He died in New Delhi in 1927 of influenza.

Inayat’s son Vilayet Khan has continued to spread the message of Sufism in the west. He also travels and teaches extensively. He was one of the founders of Omega Institute.

Books by and about Hazrat Inayat Khan:

The Inner Life and the purpose of Life by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Creating the Person: A Practical Guide to the Development of Self by Hazrat Inayat Khan

The Soul’s Journey by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Memories of a Sufi Sage HAZRAT INAYAT KHAN by Sirkan Von Stolk and Daphne Dunlop, East-West Publications Fonds B.V., 1975