Saki Lee

I first met my teacher Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan during a camp in the high Alps of Chamonix, France.  That was in 1973, and I was just 23 years old, traveling through Europe for the first time.  That summer changed my life. 

Pir Vilayat asked, "Dare you have the courage to be who you really are?"  At the time, I didn't have a clue!  This began my Sufi training, which would continue for the next thirty years.

Over the course of these years, I have had the precious opportunity to be immersed in the study of Sufism with Pir Vilayat.  I think I must have attended nearly every summer retreat in the Alps after my first initiation in 1973!  The primary focus in my Sufi training with Pir Vilayat has been the alchemical retreat process.

The alchemical retreat is a  transformation model, a gift which Pir has given not only to me, but to countless others.  It is a deep and subtle exploration of the Sufi planes of consciousness which goes far beyond the theoretical study of these states. He once remarked, "It's better to be transformed than to accumulate experience."   At the same time, Pir was constantly teaching us to apply spirituality to daily life, to  really live in the world, and fulfill the purpose of life through service to humanity. 

In 1981 I was appointed by Pir Vilayat as a Healing Conductor in the Sufi Healing Order.  This was followed by a further initiation as a cheraga in the Universal Worship in 1983. 

After this period, it became increasingly clearer to me that the work of inner transformation within the Esoteric School was my real calling, and in particular, the Sufi retreat concentration.  In 1989 I was appointed a Representative and spiritual guide by Pir Vilayat, and in 1990 Aziza Scott, the North American head of the Esoteric School and Retreat Concentration appointed me as a retreat guide.

Currently,  I am  serving as the head of the Esoteric School for the Netherlands, which includes facilitating leaders training for representatives and spiritual guides in the Sufi Order. I am part of an international team, the Esoteric Training Committee, who are advisers to Pir Zia in matters concerning the Esoteric School. In 2006, Pir Zia initiated me as Murshida in the Sufi Order International.

At this time, I hold the conhcentration for Kinship in the Sufi Order as the Europeanh vice president.  This is a developing activity which focuses on the pillars of friendship and selfless service on personal, inter-relational and global levels.

There are many hats to wear!  and they can be taken off and  passed on as needed, as all outer forms will certainly come to pass.   To Pir Vilayat  I am grateful for the reminder to always be conscious of my eternal being,  and to know what really matters.

"There is no outside, there is no inside:  once the heart has become the ocean of life, it accommodates all things and all beings."

Links:
www.pirvilayat.org