#104 Turning Toward the Heart: Pir Zia Inayat Khan

Oct 10, 2024

Pir Zia Inayat Khan, a Sufi scholar and teacher, shares transformative insights on the heart as a center of wisdom rather than just a physical organ. He discusses navigating modern life's distractions to cultivate compassion and self-awareness. Through poignant stories from war-torn regions, he emphasizes the importance of engaging with suffering to promote justice and healing. Pir Zia also highlights how Sufi ideals encourage empathy and courage, urging listeners to break cycles of violence and embrace their unique spiritual paths.

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ANECDOTE

Guest Introduction

Hosts Maurizio and Zaya Benazzo introduce Pir Zia Inayat Khan.
They mention his work as a Sufi teacher and author, highlighting his lineage and current roles.

INSIGHT

One Family, One Humanity

Pir Zia's lineage emphasizes the oneness of humanity.
His grandfather, Hazrat Inayat Khan, brought Sufism to the West, promoting healing and unity.

INSIGHT

Sufism's Origins and the Risk of Dogma

Sufism's origins trace back to prophets, saints, and sages who channeled divine guidance.
These teachings, often hardened into dogmas, can cause division instead of healing.

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In this Community Gathering (October 2024) Zaya and Maurizio were in discussion with Pir Zia Inayat Khan, a renowned spiritual teacher in the Sufi tradition, and explored the practice of turning toward the heart — a fundamental concept in Sufism and many other spiritual paths.

Can we see the heart not just as a physical organ, but as a center of consciousness, wisdom, and divine connection? Will this inner orientation lead us to greater self-awareness, compassion, and spiritual growth?

Drawing from Sufi wisdom and his own experience, Pir Zia offered insights on cultivating a heart-centered approach to life in a modern world that uplifts comfort to ignore suffering, and developing the ability to see where there is pain and hardship in order to bring healing there.

Together, we will explore the question, “How can we harmonize the inward journey with the outward call to stand for justice?”

Pir Zia Inayat Khan, PH.D., is a scholar of religion and teacher of Sufism in the universalist Sufi lineage of his grandfather, Hazrat Inayat Khan. Pir Zia is president of the Inayatiyya and founder of Sulūk Academy, a school of Sufi contemplative study and practice. He is author of Immortality: A Traveler’s Guide; Dream Flowers: The Collected Works of Noor Inayat Khan; Mingled Waters: Sufism and the Mystical Unity of Religions; and Saracen Chivalry: Counsels on Valor, Generosity and the Mystical Quest. He is editor of Caravan of Souls: An Introduction to the Sufi Path of Hazrat Inayat Khan. Pir Zia divides his time between Richmond, Virginia and Suresnes, France.

https://inayatiyya.org/

Watch the full video version of this event here: https://scienceandnonduality.com/event/turning-toward-the-heart/

Topics:

00:00 – Introduction and Welcome
00:47 – Introducing Pir Zia Inayat Khan
01:50 – The Legacy of Hazrat Inayat Khan
06:14 – Understanding Sufism and Its Origins
12:00 – The Heart and Mind in Sufism
16:35 – Stages of the Sufi Path
24:45 – Embracing Suffering and Compassion
29:04 – The Power of the Heart in Healing
33:43 – The Responsibility of Action and Hope
35:40 – The Heroic Legacy of Noor Inayat Khan
39:27 – Sufi Influence and Universal Oneness
45:40 – Breaking the Cycle of Suffering
49:48 – The Ego and Collective Identity
53:44 – Interconnectedness and Healing
54:59 – Closing Reflections and Gratitude

Resources:

Where Olive Trees Weep (film by SAND)
Inayat Khan Foundation – Inayatiyya - The Inayati Order
Suluk Academy
Caravan of Souls (book)
Pir Zia Inayat Khan Teachings
Hazrat Inayat Khan Teachings
Noor Inayat Khan’s Legacy – Noor Inayat Khan: The Forgotten Spy
Twenty Jataka Tales by Noor Inayat Khan
Sounds of SAND #18 The Mysticism of Sound and Music (Podcast with Michael Harrison, Inayat Khan music scholar and composer)

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