Category Archives: Murshid SAM

The Story of Two Covers

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Beloved ones of God,

Firstly allow me to thank all the folks who made the Pilgrimage happen so well and so smoothly. To Zuleikha who gave us a fabulous evening of dance, and story, of zikr, and love. To Asha who flew across country from one camp right into ours. To Mansur Johnson who brought the manuscript of his time with Murshid with him and read from it.  And, to all the dozen plus Murshidas, Shiekas, Khalifas, and the 50 beloveds who participated, and to our hosts, the Lama beans – especially Krishnasdas and Austin. Ya Shakur!

$11,000.00 was raised for Lama.  Alhamdullilah!

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It is also time to share with the larger group the story of the two coverings, which were placed on Murshid's Maqbara,

1.

When Murshid S.A.M. fell and went into a coma (late December of 1970), I called “auntie” Helen in Oregon, and gave her the news and asked for her prayers. She said she would be coming down to hold my hand through all of this. And, when S.A.M. died, she came down.

She brought with her a green velvet cover, fully inscribed in Arabic calligraphy. She said that when she was in town (Klamath Falls) making a few purchases for the trip south, she heard Mother Mary’s voice clearly in her head. (Mother Mary had died the year earlier) “Turn right here.” Mother said. She turned as directed, and found herself in front of a gift shop. “Enter.” said mother, and she did. “Get that one for Saul.” she was told. “Tell Saul that the calligraphy means something. It is not just decorative.” She went to pay for the velvet coverlet, and found that she had just enough money to pay for it.  This was especially important, as she and her family were as poor as ‘church mice.’

She arrived the next day, and when we went to see S.A.M. in the Mortuary, she placed the cover over his body, and it remained there until he was autopsied and buried.

2.

About 2 months ago, a dear friend (Jerry Toporovsky) returned from a trip to India. When he was in Ajmir, he felt moved to purchase (for Saul) a cloth cover from the tomb of Moineddin Chisti. When he presented it to me, I heard the words Maqbarra and Murshid. So, I brought it with us to Lama to be placed on Murshid’s grave.

Both covers were placed on Murshid’s gravesite – I asked Mansur Johnson (as Murshid’s ‘senior’ mureed present) to assist me.

The cloth from Moinuddin Chisti remains at Lama. It will have a small box made for it, and it will “live” in the retreat cabin by the Maqbara.

The cover from Mother Mary (through Auntie Helen) returned with me.

Finally, the last morning, we did the healing ritual under the dome. Hadi David Hunter performed it. The energy was so deep and powerful it carried us all safely back home.
Alhamdullilah!

All love and blessings
Hakim sauluddin

Murshid SAM’s 33 Urs: A Remembrance

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One of the wonderful things about being in the presence of a great teacher is how they can turn each and every interaction into an opportunity for the student to “catch the teaching.”

Of course, the lesson the student “needs” will vary with the student. In my case, I was needful of humility. Read on:

It was the late spring of 1970, as I recall. Murshid had been complaining about needing help around his San Francisco house on Precita, so as a willing mureed I showed up early to help.

“What do you want me to do?” I asked him. “Well,” he answered, “you’re the first here. There is dust everywhere. Start cleaning it up.”

So, I started in his bedroom, and somehow I was like a whirlwind — only very careful and very well organized. After a half hour, not only was his bedroom done, but I had finished the front room, and the dining room-library. I was just starting in the kitchen, when he came in from the backyard, and saw how much I had done (and how well). I was very proud of my self and my efforts.

“Stop!” he said. “You won’t leave anything to do for those who are still coming.”

“Yes Murshid,” I answered. And, as a “good boy,” I didn’t offer to mess things up again.

Happy 33rd Urs day Murshid. So many thanks for all the blessings and the greatness of spirit you shared with us so freely.

Ya Shakur Allah!

yours in service to the real,
hakim saul

Murshid’s Urs – A Remembrance

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Most Beloved one’s of God,

On the 32nd Urse of Murshid S.A.M. I felt moved to share a story from my time with him.

It was on our (Murshid, Mansur, myself & Wuta) trip to see his Uncle Harry in British Columbia, and we had made a number of stops along the way: Mt Shasta, where we just missed Mother Mary, Klamath Falls, where we met Auntie Helen and drove around Crater Lake, and passing through Portland, where he commented that he had always wanted to live in that city but God wouldn’t let him, and onto the Seattle area where we met Samcher Beorse, and where this reminiscence takes place.

It is 1970, and the local Sufi’s had booked a Unitarian Church for a welcoming gathering for him. Do remember that most of the Sufis who were around then were either direct disciples of Hazrat Inayat Khan or came to Sufism at a much earlier time then either Mansur or myself.

So, there we were at the podium, Mansur and me standing close to Murshid and him looking at the audience of mostly older people. Samcher introduces him at Pir-O-Murshid Samuel Lewis, and Murshid went ballistic — “I am a Murshid,” he sputtered. “Only Inayat Khan is Pir-O-Murshid.”

Samcher mumbles an apology, and Murshid starts with the invocation and then led the audience in the prayers Saum, Salat & Khatum.

There was short silence, and then Murshid exploded at them: “You have been doing these prayers for almost 50 years, and you still don’t get it.” He then had Mansur and me demonstrate some of the walks he had taught us, as an illustration of what his current work with young people was all about.

After the meeting — which was very short — we were all standing at the front door of the church talking to Samcher when the people in the audience started coming out and each one took his hand, shaking it and saying what a wonderful sermon he had given. I thought he would have apoplexy on the spot. They still didn’t get it.

Happy Urs Day Murshid

Allah Shakur!

all love and blessings,
hakim saul

This is the New Age in Person

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Most beloved of God,

Much love and many blessings from Virginia.

This person is Saul Barodofsky, who was Dr. SAM’s driver and factotum, and was privileged to be present during many of the talks he gave at HOOM, which became the book, This is the New Age in Person. As you might gather, I am still active in the SIRS, and have taken on more responsibility as the years flow by. Hopefully, you are the correct person to address this issue to. So, I shall attempt it.

Firstly, and most important, I am so pleased that you have taken on the re-publication of this important series of talks. It is wonderful to see it in print again, and I applaud your use of the WEB as a vehicle for dissemination.Thank you also for the numerous citations of copyright, the links to the SIRS web site, and the distributing branch of Peaceworks.

However, I am told by some of the Ruhaniat folks (who are more literate than me – I am stricken with dyslexia and have never been able to spell) that your wonderful offering has many glaring mis-spellings. Is it possible to clean this up? It would be most helpful to all those who look for details amidst the big picture, and are distracted by mis-spellings.

On an other matter, I am SO PLEASED that you have re-formed the esoteric work of the HOOM as a new school. As you might know, I was very close to the Order after Dr. SAM’s passing – being their book distributor, and general “friend.”

I have kept track of some of the old family – I am in sporadic contact with the “former” Master Marthelia, and was in contact with Rev. Ben, prior to his passing. Aside from the correction of spelling, I volunteered to write this letter for the SIRS Editorial Board, because I am eager to connect our work again, as it was in the past, and I hope that this might be an opportunity to do so. I am teaching the spiritual walks, which Dr. SAM gave us, in Germany & Eastern Europe, as well as in the USA. In fact, I have incorporated the Symbol of the HOOM as a spiritual walk, amongst the series of the Symbolic Walks.

I hope this can be an opportunity to re-connect our Familial heart-space. Toward this end, may I invite you and any of the family who are moved to attend a 30 year Pilgrimage to Dr. SAM’s grave site – June 24 – 30th (2001) – at the Lama Foundation, above Taos New Mexico. Since he was one of the founders of your order, and the founder of ours, I have always felt that we were one family.

I send you all my love and prayers for a wondrous and Light Filled Easter.

your brother
saul