Sufi Ruhaniat International
INCLUSION ~ It could be me
This article draws, with gratitude, on a fuller paper available in English here,
prepared by Salima Nuri Eileen Palmer and ZubinNur Westrik.
Suggestions and guidelines for Inclusivity and Diversity in the SRI
We are working here on the cutting edge to open our Path of the Heart to be more conscious and more inclusive. Some research done on the internet shows that few (if any) Sufi Communities are busying themselves with this openness which is surely a significant part of our work…”Toward the One”, “La illaha ilAllah HU”, … including everyone and everything and not excluding anyone or anything. If anyone it would seem that our Buddhist Sisters and Brothers are leading the way in Inclusivity.
1. Looking at our overarching aims and vision “Toward the One” it seems essential that we review the wording of our ethical goal. Currently it states: “To cherish all, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or marital status. “
Suggestion: “We cherish all beings, it is our intention is to create a safe and inclusive space (haven?) at our meetings, retreats and camps, where all people of every age, ethnicity, cultural heritage and religious background, socio-economic group, ability, sexual orientation and gender identity are welcome and cherished. It is our aim to embody respect for all beings and the inherent dignity of all beings, including our precious planet.”
2. Our aim and inspiration is and remains “Toward the One”, this implies continually learning and re-orienting to open our awareness to see and/or find out who are we not yet caring for? We may start off at a disadvantage here, as we can’t see or understand what we don’t know … and an open and enquiring mind, that evaluates our circles and meetings will (Insh’Allah) begin to notice who is not in our circle? And to enquire as to how we can be more open and available.
3. Through this work we will cultivate our Adab and Khatir. “A respectful attitude is the first and principal thing in the development of personality.” Hazrat Inayat Khan “The highest expression of love is respect.” Hazrat Inayat Khan
“Khatir means consideration for someone which is shown in the form of respect, help or service… for a Sufi, this quality becomes their moral.”
General aim – Training and raising awareness
Deepening our understanding as individuals, and across the Ruhaniat as an organization, about issues surrounding being inclusive, becoming more aware of unconscious bias, assumptions, stereotypes… we all have them. Finding and working with the very simple barriers to inclusion that we have the power to change.
- Raising consciousness and awareness of the necessity of Inclusion. This is our core business as people heading (Insh’Allah) ‘Toward the One’. As we do this raising of our awareness, we will surely become more comfortable with our own quirks and areas of discomfort. This is a basic message of inclusion which is about ALL OF US, and all of our inner and outer family. In Soulwork terms our inner family will also become more integrated and at home with each other. This is a basic message of inclusion which is about ALL OF US and all of our inner and outer family.
- Looking into our own hearts to see how wide (or limited) our own understanding of inclusion is. It’s easy on our Path of the Heart, to sit back and feel very sure that ‘We are already doing this.’ Whereas when we are ‘on the receiving end’ of our inclusion, we may find we (as Ruhaniat) are not as accessible as we think we are.
- We need to look at our overarching vision and aims and work out a strategy to be truly more inclusive. This is an on-going process. We may think or feel we are doing this work of inclusion for ‘others’… who is ‘the other’? It could be me, it could be you any day, any moment. Part of the raising of awareness is the understanding and embodiment of: ‘there is no other’, and the real-eyes-ation… it could be me at any moment. No one has a guarantee of good health, many of us are entering or in the last stages of life… We need to make these quantum leaps for the good of the whole and we are part of that whole.For Recommendations please see the full document!