Welcoming You!

Office of the Secretary 

Brother/Sisterhood Activity for the Western Hemisphere

Stephanie Nuria Sabato, Secretary

KarimaGita Erickson, Assistant Secretary

The purpose of The Movement is to work towards unity, [The Message, the Religion of the Heart]. Its main object is to bring humanity, divided as it is into so many different sections, closer together in the deeper understanding of life. It is a preparation for a world service, chiefly in three ways. One way is the philosophical understanding of life; another is bringing about brotherhood and sisterhood among races, nations and creeds; and the third way is the meeting of the world’s greatest need, which is the religion of the day. Its work is to bring to the world that natural religion which has always been the religion of humanity: to respect one another’s beliefs, scripture, and teacher.

14. Brotherhood/Sisterhood (2), Part 2

Brotherhood/Sisterhood Activity • Monthly Message • Upcoming Online Message Class

Beloved Brothers and Sisters,

In his lifetime, Hazrat Inayat Khan was encouraged that the spirit of brotherhood was the remedy for conditions of disharmony and injustice in the world. In this day and age, conditions in the world continue to call us to practice living brotherhood and sisterhood. May we be encouraged by Inayat Khan’s belief that every person has the capacity for learning and living brotherhood and sisterhood.

Raise us above the distinctions and differences which divide men.
Send us the Peace of Thy Divine Spirit,
And unite us all in Thy Perfect Being.

-From the prayer Khatum by Hazrat Inayat Khan-

With Loving Regards and Prayers for an enlightened world,
Our Workers


Social Gatheka no. 14, Part 2, Brotherhood/Sisterhood (2)

To think, friends, about the condition that humanity has passed through during the last few years and what result has been achieved from all the prejudices and disagreement and disharmony which has come up between nations and between people, and it seems that even now it is not lessening, the world seems to be going from bad to worse--the suffering in every way caused to humanity, it seems has not yet ended! No doubt life in the world is so intoxicating that man hardly stops to think about it, and the life such as it is just now has so many responsibilities that everyone, rich or poor, is so absorbed in his affairs that he hardly has a moment to think what is going on in the world. Nevertheless illness is illness, the world is ill. Yes, a person may neglect his illness and may engage his mind in something else, but if that illness is not attended to, it remains just the same. And when we look for the cause of all this disaster we may be able to find a thousand causes, and yet there is one principle cause, which is the lack of brotherhood.

And the absence of anything one could have endured, but the world cannot be happy, and the order and peace of humanity maintained in the absence of brotherhood. The brotherhood which can be learned and that every person has the facility of learning in his life. Think of that master who is kind and who is loving to his servant, who considers his servant his brother, he is blessed. Think of that family, a family in which two members, or three members, or four, or five members, whatever be their relation, that they consider that idea of brotherhood in sharing with one another the pain and pleasure, how happy, how blessed that family will be! Think of a nation, whatever its government, whatever be its constitution, if there was this spirit of brotherhood between the people of different position, of different ranks or occupation, how blessed that nation would be!

14. Brotherhood/Sisterhood (2), Part 1

Brotherhood/Sisterhood Activity • Monthly Teaching • Upcoming Online Message Class
Beloved Brothers and Sisters,

In the closing of the previous lesson 13. Brotherhood and Sisterhood (1), Part 2, Hazrat Inayat Khan says, “Brotherhood and Sisterhood means perfect friendship.” As Hazrat Inayat Khan offers us insight into how we may practice and live brotherhood and sisterhood in our relationship with others, may we be inspired toward greater understanding, feeling the sympathy and love that arises in the realization of our shared humanity.

Raise us above the distinctions and differences which divide men.
Send us the Peace of Thy Divine Spirit,
And unite us all in Thy Perfect Being.

-From the prayer Khatum by Hazrat Inayat Khan-

With Loving Regards and Prayers for an enlightened world,
Our Workers


Social Gatheka no. 14, Part 1, Brotherhood/Sisterhood (2)

But now comes the question how this simple principle of brother/sisterhood may be lived, how may it be practised. It is most difficult to teach this principle to anyone. The best way of teaching it, is living it oneself. Parents, either father or mother, who show to their children, besides fatherly love and motherly tenderness, that brother/sisterhood, that feeling of a brother with his brothers and sisters, in this they can express themselves best to their children, and in this way the children are able to express their best to their parents. A father may be most kind, a mother most loving, but as long as he or she maintains the attitude of holding himself or herself as father, as mother; something different from the children, the children will grow to love them, but will never look upon them as friends.

They will look for friends elsewhere, because there is no brother/sisterhood. And when we come to the teacher, a teacher may be respected by his pupils, he may bear great dignity before his pupils, but at the same time there cannot be established that communication of inspiration and love, of sympathy, of understanding till he has practised with his pupils that manner of brother/sisterhood. When the soldiers, millions of them, gave their lives for the great kings and generals, it was not for the general, it was for the brother/sister. No king, no general, no commander, whatever be his honour and his position, has been able to win the hearts of those who followed him - never.

When we hear of the great ones, the prophets, the seers, the mystics, in what way have they treated their pupils, their disciples? The story of Jesus Christ is known to all, calling the fishermen to come and sit and talk with him. The Master never felt comfortable when they called him "good." He said, "call me not good." The whole idea was, "consider me not superior to you, I am one of you." Think then the picture of the Master washing the feet of his disciples. What does it teach us? It all teaches us brother/sisterhood. No miracle, no great power, no great inspiration, occult or mystical, can equal the phenomenon of that humility, of that fraternity, that brother/sisterhood with which the great ones have become one with all.

Learn More

13. Brotherhood/Sisterhood (1), Part 2

Brotherhood/Sisterhood Activity • Monthly Teaching • Upcoming Online Message Class
Beloved Sisters and Brothers,

The great teachers of the world have given the world the simple philosophy of brother/sisterhood–to love one another. Hazrat Inayat Khan furthers this teaching, saying that there may be many types of relations in this world, “But the great relationship is friendship, which is called brotherhood [sisterhood]. Brotherhood [Sisterhood] means perfect friendship.”

“May the Message of God reach far and wide
illuminating and making the whole humanity
as one single brotherhood [sisterhood]
in the Fatherhood of God.”

-From the prayer Salat by Hazrat Inayat Khan-

With Loving Regards and Prayers for an enlightened world,
Our Workers


Social Gatheka no. 13, Part 2, Brotherhood/Sisterhood (1)
by Hazrat Inayat Khan

The different religions which exist in the world, the followers of which are perhaps millions and millions, if one studies what is the central theme of it all, it is the one and same: Brother/Sisterhood, love one another, serve one another, be sincere one to the other.

But as man is more capable of loving his friend, so he is more capable of hating his neighbour. The first tendency of brother/sisterhood, of love, brings him satisfaction and happiness to the other. The other tendency of hating his brother brings him dissatisfaction, and unhappiness to the other. Brother/Sisterhood therefore is creative of happiness, and the spirit which is contrary to it, is productive of sorrow. When we read the scriptures of the great religions in this world, be it the Bible or Kabala, or Koran, Gita, or the Buddhist scriptures, in some form or the other in the manner best suited to the people to whom the religion was given, it was the same moral, the same symphony, it was the same music which was performed before them. The great teachers of the world, were they especially engaged in giving the mystical or occult teachings to the world? Or were they engaged in discussing philosophical problems? Not at all, though they were mystics, they knew philosophy, they knew occultism. But that was not the principle thing they came to give. If ever they have done anything, or given to the world anything, it was that simple philosophy which is never new to anyone. Even a child knows, love one another, be kind, be sincere, be serviceable to one another.

And one might ask, "When it is a simple thing, and so simple that even a child knows it, what necessity is there that the great ones, the Godly souls have come and taught it?” It is most simple and yet most difficult to live, and man does not accept anything from someone who does not live it. And if he accepts it, he will not hold it for long. Therefore they came with love from above the world, and lived that simple moral, that simple philosophy of brother/sisterhood. A Mongol emperor of Hindustan who was a great poet - -in history we read his name, Ghasnavi writes, "Born in a palace, and having reigned from the first day I came to earth, I saw nothing but thousands and thousands of people bowing before me. But the day in my life when I learned the first lesson in love, my proud head bent and bowed before every slave that I saw standing before me in attendance; and those who were standing before me as servants, I then felt that I was their slave." What does it show? It shows that coldness of heart hardens one's feelings and closes one's eyes from the light which shows the path of brother/sisterhood.

There are many relations, there are many connections in this world, by blood and by law also. But the great relationship is friendship, which is called brother/sisterhood. Brother/Sisterhood means perfect friendship.

Learn More

13. Brotherhood/Sisterhood (1), Part 1

Brotherhood/Sisterhood Activity • Monthly Teaching • Upcoming Online Message Class

Beloved Sisters and Brothers,

With inspiring words on the spirit of brother/sisterhood, Hazrat Inayat Khan reminds us of the teaching of Jesus, “love your neighbour”, a central theme of the religions of the world. May we realize this spirit of brother/sisterhood in our daily life, considering these words in his prayer, Salat. “May the Message of God reach far and wide illuminating and making the whole humanity as one single brotherhood [sisterhood]....”

With Loving Regards and Prayers for an Enlightened World,
Our Workers


Social Gatheka no. 13, Part 1, Brotherhood/Sisterhood (1)
by Hazrat Inayat Khan

One can see the beginning of the spirit of brother/sisterhood when one sees the flocks of birds flying in the sky together, when one sees the herds of animals in the forest together and the swarms of little insects all living and moving together. No doubt in man this tendency of brother/sisterhood is pronounced, for man is not only capable of realizing the spirit of brother/sisterhood but of fulfilling that purpose which is hidden in this natural tendency. What is called good or bad, right or wrong, sin or virtue, the secret behind all this diversity is one, and this secret is that all that leads to happiness is right, is good, and is virtuous; all that leads to unhappiness is wrong, that is evil, and if there is any sin, it is that which may be called sin. Then coming to the idea of brother/sisterhood, it is not something which man has learned or acquired, it is something which is born in man, and according to the development of this spirit man shows the unfoldment of his soul.

Coming to the religions which have been given to the world, for instance, when we read in the Bible the words of Jesus Christ, what do we read? "Love your fellow man, love your neighbour," from the beginning to the end. If there is any moral that the master taught and repeated constantly, it was this moral, the moral of brother/sisterhood. The different religions which exist in the world, the followers of which are perhaps millions and millions, if one studies what is the central theme of it all, it is the one and same: Brother/Sisterhood, love one another, serve one another, be sincere one to the other.

Learn More

12. World Reconstruction (2), Part 2

Brotherhood/Sisterhood Activity • Monthly Teaching • Upcoming Online Message Class

Beloved Brothers and Sisters,

If we are to serve humanity and conditions in the world, Hazrat Inayat Khan teaches that we must learn the “art of being”, saying, “it is an art which is known to the soul, but it is his own being, it is the deepest knowledge that he has in his heart.” May we contemplate this teaching and his words in the prayer “Khatum”.

“Disclose to us thy Divine Light
which is hidden in our souls
That we may know and understand Life better.”

With Loving Regards and Prayers for an enlightened world,
Our Workers


Social Gatheka no. 12, Part 2, World Reconstruction (2)
by Hazrat Inayat Khan

We shall not understand the life outside if we do not understand ourselves. It is the knowledge of the self that gives the knowledge of the world. The politician, the statesman, however qualified, will dispute about things for years and years, he will never come to a satisfactory conclusion unless he understands the psychology of life and the psychology of the situation. And so the educationist will try a new scheme and will never come to a satisfactory conclusion, unless he has the psychological knowledge of life, which will teach him the psychology of human nature, what is the manner to solve the problem.

What is today called psychology is not what I mean. It do not mean by the word psychology what they call psychoanalysis. I call psychology the understanding of the self, the understanding of the nature and character of the mind and the body. Friends, what is health? Health is order. And what is order? Order is music. Where there is harmony, rhythm, regularity, cooperation, there is harmony, there is sympathy. The health of mind, therefore, and the health of body depend upon the preserving of that harmony, upon keeping intact that sympathy which is going on in mind and body.

And remember that life in the world, and especially as we live it amidst the crowd, will test and try our patience every moment of the day, and it will be most difficult to preserve that harmony and peace which is all happiness. For what is the definition of life? Life means struggle with friends and battle with foes. It is all the time giving and taking, and it is most difficult in this to keep the sympathy, to keep the harmony which is health and happiness.

Now you will ask, “Where are we to learn it?" My friends, all education and learning and knowledge are acquired, but this one art is a divine art, and man has inherited it. But, absorbed in the outer learning, he has forgotten it, but it is an art which is known to the soul, but it is his own being, it is the deepest knowledge that he has in his heart. No progress in whatever line that man will make will give him that satisfaction which his soul is craving for, except this one, which is the art of life, the art of being, which is the pursuit of the soul.

In order to serve the reconstruction of the world the only thing possible and the only thing necessary is to learn the art of being, the art of life for oneself and to be an example oneself, before trying to serve humanity.

What is the Sufi Movement? What is Sufism? It is that art of which I have just spoken, the art by which that music and symphony of life can be preserved, and by that man can enable himself to become the proper servant of God and humanity.

Learn More

12. World Reconstruction (2), Part 1

Brotherhood/Sisterhood Activity • Monthly Teaching • Upcoming Online Message Class

Beloved Brothers and Sisters,

What is needed for the reconstruction of an unhealthy condition in the world? Hazrat Inayat Khan encourages us, “to understand that religion of religions and that philosophy of philosophies, which is self-knowledge. We shall not understand the life outside if we do not understand ourselves.” May this teaching and his words from the prayer “Khatum” draw us toward greater understanding.

“Disclose to us Thy Divine Light
Which is hidden in our souls
That we may know and understand Life better.”

With Loving Regards and Prayers for an enlightened world,
Our Workers


Social Gatheka no. 12, Part 1, World Reconstruction (2)
by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Now looking at the question from a philosophical point of view. What is construction, what is reconstruction? A construction is that which is made already. A child born is a construction. But after a disorder in the health or in mind, there comes again a need of reconstruction. In the English language there is an expression: "To pull oneself together." The reconstruction of the world today means for the world to pull itself together. The education, the political, the social condition, the financial condition, religion, all those things which made civilization, seem to have scattered and in order for these things to come together there must be a secret of life to be studied. What is the secret of healing power? The secret is to make oneself strong enough to pull oneself together. And that is the secret of the life of the mystic. The world has lost its health, and when one can picture the world as an individual, one can see what it is to lose one's health. It is just like illness in the life of an individual. And as for every illness there is a remedy, so for every disaster there is a reconstruction.

But now there are different ideas that people have. There is the pessimist, he says, "Well, if the world has got to this state of destruction, who can help it, how can it be helped?” It is like an ill person who says, "Well, I have been so ill, I have suffered so much, I do not care. How can I be well now? It is almost too late." In that way he holds his disease and he keeps it, he cherishes it, although he does not like it. And then there is a curious person, who is very much astonished to see the newspaper and see that this money has gone up and that money has gone down, and to see that there is the probability of a war, there may be another war, and he will excite his friends about it.

Then there is another person who says, "Some committees must be formed, there must be some societies, some leagues, some congresses must be formed, we must do something definite." And in this way there are now so many societies and congresses formed and discussing, and so many more meetings, so many more discussions. But there seems to be no end to the discussions and disputes in order to find out the ways and means how the condition must be bettered.

I do not mean to say that any effort in whatever form made towards the reconstruction or towards the betterment of conditions is not worth while, however small. But what is most needed for us is to understand that religion of religions and that philosophy of philosophies, which is self-knowledge. We shall not understand the life outside if we do not understand ourselves. It is the knowledge of the self that gives the knowledge of the world. The politician, the statesman, however qualified, will dispute about things for years and years, he will never come to a satisfactory conclusion unless he understands the psychology of life and the psychology of the situation. And so the educationist will try a new scheme and will never come to a satisfactory conclusion, unless he has the psychological knowledge of life, which will teach him the psychology of human nature, what is the manner to solve the problem.

Learn More