The Sufi Order of Rochester offers classes and programs focusing on the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan, founder of the Sufi Order International, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, and Zia Inayat Khan, successors, and meets every Thursday evening at 7:30 and the fourth Saturday evening of the month.

The Sufi Order of Rochester offers several ongoing activities each month. Please consult our calendar for dates, times, and locations, as there are occasional exceptions to our regularly scheduled events.

Healing Circle

Ceremony of prayer and spiritual healing. Names may be submitted for prayer with the consent of the person named.

Date: First Thursday of the month, 7:30 p.m.
Contact: 585-248-0427

Foundation Class

This class focuses on the basic, foundational practices of the Sufi Order Esoteric School, including practices with breath, sound, light, Divine Qualities, and Zikr (a practice of remembrance). This class is open to all.

Date: Second Thursday of the month, 7:30 p.m
Contact: 585-271-0532

Gatha Class

The Gathas (translated as "Songs") are transcriptions of a series of lectures Pir O Murshid Inayat Khan presented to his committed followers in the early 1920's. They are considered the basic teachings for his students. The Gathas are organized into 7 sections of thirty lessons each. Gatha classes allow for reading and discussion of these basic teachings along with spiritual practices to deepen our experience. Although open to anyone interested in Inayat Khan's Message, they are most appropriate for those who are sincerely committed to this spiritual path, or are seriously exploring this option.

Date: Third Thursday of the month, 7:30 p.m.
Contact: 585-248-0427

Zikr Circle

An evening of chants, song and music in remembrance of our Divine reality: Oneness. Those who have never attended before are asked to contact the Sufi Order for an orientation to the practice of zikr.

Date: Fourth Thursday of the month, 7:30 p.m.
Contact: 585-248-0427 or 585-271-0532

Dances of Universal Peace

Affiliated with the Sufi Order. Easy to learn circle dances using sacred phrases and movements from the world's spiritual traditions. These Dances are moving meditations, focusing on joy, depth and the celebration of the sacred.

Date: Second Saturday of the month, 7:30 p.m
Location: Quaker Meeting House, 84 Scio Street, Rochester, NY
Cost: $5 suggested donation
Contact: 585-423-0563 or 315-946-9854

Eat, Dance and Pray Together

The American Sufi mystic, Murshid Samuel Lewis, originator of the Dances of Universal Peace (also called Sufi Dances), said that peace would come when people eat, dance and pray together. We begin this evening celebration with the Universal Worship (see Activities), a service honoring the world’s spiritual traditions together on one altar. We share a simple potluck meal together and move into dances in which we can embody our prayers and experience joy. Come and join us! All are welcome!

Date: Fourth Saturday of the month, 7:30 p.m
Contact: 585-248-0427

Ziraat Lodge

Ceremony honoring the elements and presenting the metaphors of farming and nature to encourage those participating to learn to work more deeply with mind and spirit.

Date: Scheduled monthly in the Rochester area and in Wayne County

Location: All events other than Dances of Universal Peace are held at Open Sky Yoga, Building 2, 2nd floor, Village Gate, N. Goodman Street, Rochester, NY
Website: Please see schedule of activities at www.sufiorderofrochester.org to verify specific dates and times, as these sometimes vary slightly