For many, the word “initiation” (Bayat) carries a sense of mystery or even hesitation. In my teaching, I view it simply as an entrance—a commitment to the self and to the Path of Love. It is not about joining an organisation or adopting a dogma; it is about choosing to walk toward your own soul’s realisation.
This image was taken during my time teaching at the Mana Retreat Centre in New Zealand in 2021. It captures the moment of standing at the threshold of a vast, sacred horizon—the same feeling I hope to share with those entering this path.
What is Initiation?
Initiation is a trust (Amānat) and a link. When I offer initiation, I am inviting you into a living transmission known as the Silsila:
The Spiritual Current: It is like connecting to a “spiritual current” that has been passed down through an unbroken chain of teachers. This current provides the protection, strength, and “charge” needed to navigate the challenges of the inner life.
Universal Kinship: From the hour of initiation, you are linked to all the masters, saints, and prophets of all times and all places. You become a brother or sister to every human being, without distinction of race, nation, or religion.
A Journey of Hope: As the seeker, you start on a journey to the “land of love,” armed with hope, courage, and patience. Initiation provides the “spiritual armour” required for this travel.
A Path toward Spiritual Liberty
I see initiation as a profound opening. It is a commitment to your own sincerity and to the continual unfolding of your soul.
This step does not require you to leave your existing faith or beliefs; rather, it is designed to help you recognise the spirit of truth within all forms. It is an invitation to walk with greater earnestness toward your own realisation, supported by a lineage that honours the freedom of the individual heart.
Our Sacred Bond
The relationship we share as guide and student is a unique friendship rooted in the “Spirit of Guidance.” It is helpful to think of our connection as a battery: your openness and sincere desire to learn create the “negative” pole of receptivity, while the transmission of the lineage provides the “positive” pole. When these two meet, the spiritual current flows freely.
This process isn’t always easy; it often requires passing through the fire of transformation to let go of the nafs (the ego). Yet, in this fire, we discover a beautiful truth: that the Spirit of Guidance has been singing in your heart all along.
A Gift from the Lineage: The Darood
The Sufi path is an experiential science, and at certain moments, we are given “spiritual technologies” to assist our transformation. Hazrat Inayat Khan called the Darood “the best thing to recite in the morning” for cultivating spiritual power and devotion.
In a letter sent in August 1911 to his first advanced Western mureed, Rabia Ada Martin, he explained that this mantra is a praise of “the perfection of the nature in the form of matter and the spirit”. By working with this Darood, you create an immense “divinity” within yourself.
The Mantram (Darood):
“Allah huma sallee alah Saiyedeena Mohammedin wa alah alle Saiyedeena Mohammedin wa barik wa Sallim”
The Poetic Translation
“Oh Allah, Please send your abundant blessings of intimate union with the perfection of nature in the form of matter and spirit, and upon the people of this path of perfection, blessings and peace!”
The Traditional Translation
“Oh Allah, Please send your prayers / intimate union upon our noble master, Muhammad! And upon the family of our noble master Muhammad, blessings and peace!”
The Inner Meaning
While often translated simply as “sending prayers,” the root of the words used here implies something much deeper:
Allah’huma: A heartfelt supplication: “Oh Allah, Please! Would you…”.
Sallee alah: Not just a blessing, but an invocation for a “continuous, intensely intimate union with” the Divine.
Saiyedeena Mohammedin: Referring to “Our noble master,” who represents the perfection of nature in both its material and spiritual forms.
Alle: Extending these blessings to the “family” or “the people of this path of perfection”.
wa barik: The addition of grace and “abundant blessings” (related to baraka).
wa Sallim: The final anchoring in “peace and security”
How to Practice
Hazrat Inayat Khan originally suggested reciting this practice 1100 times every morning to master the vibration. While you might wish to try the full 1100 repetitions during a period of personal retreat or deep immersion, for everyday practice, 11 repetitions are sufficient to tune the heart to the frequency of the lineage.
The Reflection: Through this practice, the “Great Master of the Sufis” sends his reflection upon you, just as it was sent upon the great souls of our lineage—Shams Tabriz, Rumi, Saadi, and Hafiz.
The Atmosphere: If possible, keep incense burning. Hazrat Inayat Khan taught that as you recite this with love and humility, the souls of our beloved Masters surround you.
Walking the Path Together
While your daily practice provides the internal fuel, the Ten Sufi Thoughts provide your map. They remind us that there is only One God (the Only Being) and One Holy Book (the sacred manuscript of Nature).
Let us strive to “do all works, yet remain apart from all works.” We refine ourselves not to become “better” than others, but to better serve humanity. Remember, your spiritual development is a gift to the entire “One Brotherhood and Sisterhood” of the earth.
The Invitation to Connect
If you feel the resonance of this current and wish to explore what the step of initiation might mean for your unique journey, I welcome you to reach out. We can share a relaxed, informal conversation to listen together to the call of your heart.
Contact Dakini — To arrange a time for us to speak and reflect on the path ahead.
Continuing the Journey
As you sit with the possibility of initiation, you may also find these resources helpful in grounding your understanding:
Regular Classes — Join our ongoing circles for Meditation in Ormskirk, Online Sacred Sound, and in-depth study of The Inner Life. These sessions are designed to support your daily practice and provide a consistent space for remembrance and connection.
More About Sufism — Explore the “Science of the Heart” and the lineage that feeds this work.
Spiritual Guidance — Discover how individual sessions can support your inner transformation and clarity.
