Classes

Reading and Study Group

Sufi Psychology Reading & Study Group
Third Friday of the Month, 9-10am PST, on Zoom
Contact Amineh Pryor, Ph.D. at: iss@ias.org

Amineh Amelia Pryor, Ph.D. studies and practices Sufism under the guidance of Uwaiysi Sufi Masters Seyyedeh Nahid Angha, Ph.D. and Shah Nazar Seyyed Ali Kianfar, Ph.D. Dr. Pryor has published books on Sufism and Sufi Psychology and has written numerous chapters and articles on psychology, spirituality, and science. She is an active member of International Association of Sufism and the Uwaiysi Tariqat. Dr. Pryor has presented at conferences around the world for almost three decades and offers classes and reading and study groups in-person and online.

Peace and Love

Peace and Love Dialogues
Third Thursday of the Month, 7:30-8:30pm PST, on Zoom
Contact Sarah Hastings Mullin, Ph.D. at: iss@ias.org

Sarah Hastings Mullin Ph. D. is a member of the International Association of Sufism. She is also a council member of the Sufi Women Organization. She is on the editorial board and a writer for the Journal, Sufism: An Inquiry. She wrote her dissertation on the lived experience of self-transformation as experienced by Uwaiysi Sufis. She has also published two books: The Book of Self and Practice & Transformation: The Way to Divine Qualities and Characteristics. She holds two groups a month, Purification and Peace and Love, the latter, a dialogue and study of the teachings of Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar on the Qur'an. 

Introduction to Sufism

Introduction to Sufism – Public Offering
Second Fridays of the month, (ongoing) @ 7:00pm PST, on Zoom
Contact Sheikh Jamal Granick, Ph.D.

Sheikh Jamaleddin Lawrence Granick, Ph.D. is a longtime student of Sufism under the guidance of Seyyedeh Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar. He is a member of the International Association of Sufism (IAS) and serves on its Executive Committee. He co-directs the Sufism and Psychology Forum, a department of IAS, and coordinates its Beyond Identification program. Sheikh Jamal also offers introductory classes about Sufism for Institute of Sufi Studies. He has conducted research and published articles on the relationship between spirituality and psychology and has presented on this subject locally and abroad. 

Breath and Movement

Awareness of Breath and Movement
Weekly practice group
Saturdays at 8am PST, (Zoom link provided in weekly emails)
Contact Sheikh Jalal Heery, Ph.D. 

Jalal Brian Heery, PhD, SEP, holds a fifth-degree black belt in Aikido. He is a student of Sufi Masters Seyyedeh Nahid Angha, Ph.D., and Shah Nazar Seyyed Ali Kianfar, Ph.D. He did his doctoral research on “Awakening Spirit in the Body” at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. He contributed an essay to the book Seeds of Transformation: Narratives of the Sufi Path and has written articles for Sufism: An Inquiry.

Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names

Illumination of the Names
Monthly discussion group
Wednesdays, 7-8 pm PST, on Zoom
Contact Leili First, Ph.D. at: iss@ias.org

Leili First, Ph.D. has been a student of Uwaiysi Sufism under the guidance of Sufi Masters Seyyedeh Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar for more than 35 years. She is a long-time member of the International Association of Sufism. Dr. First holds a Ph.D. in Transformative Studies, focusing on the intersection of science and spirituality. She has hosted this discussion group since 2017, encouraging attendees to ponder deeply and share their reflections and experiences with the Beautiful Names of Allah.

40 Days Meditation Group

40 Days Meditation & Book Reading
Sundays @ 9am PST, on Zoom
Email Arife Hammerle, Ph.D.
or call (415) 499-1115

Dr. Arife Hammerle is a student of the Uwaiysi School of Sufism, as guided by Sufi Teachers Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali. Kianfar. She is a member of the International Association of Sufism and Sufi Women Organization. She sits on the Executive Committee Board of the Institute for Sufi Studies where she teaches classes in Meditation, Psychology and Spirituality, Stress Management and Workshop retreats with the 40 Days Alchemy of Tranquility® Program. Her spiritual practice and teaching are integral aspects of her work as a psychotherapist and Director of social service programs. She is an accomplished author and has published many articles and books, some of which include the following: Unfolding Self Essence, Sufi Grace and Sufi Wisdom, The Collected Words of Sufi Master Nahid Angha.

Dr. Hammerle is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is a psychotherapist with the Community Healing Centers, an integrative psychotherapy non-profit organization. She specializes in work with clients with psycho-spiritual issues. The current emphasis in Dr. Hammerle’s work is on the integration of Western Psychology and Sufi mystical wisdom teachings.

Discussion on Nahj al-Balagha
(collection of sermons, letters, and sayings attributed to Ali ibn Abi Talib)
Monthly reading & discussion group
Sundays, 11:00 am PST, on Zoom
Contact Sheikh Salman Barui, LCSW

Sheikh Salman Baruti, LCSW, is a long-time student of Uwaiysi Sufism under the guidance of Sufi Masters Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar. He is also a member of the IAS executive committee. Sheikh Salman has presented lectures at the annual Sufi Symposium and Sufi gatherings. He is also a member of the 40 Days Alchemy of Tranquility team and has presented at the 40 Days retreat for many years. Sheikh Salman will be teaching a class on the life, legacy, and teachings of Amir Al-Mu’minin Imam Ali, focusing on his well-known autobiographic text Nahj al-Balagha, a collection of sermons, letters, and sayings attributed to him.