The esoteric school is the branch of the Sufi Order concerned with the training and guidance of mureeds. An initiate chooses a spiritual guide who provides spiritual practices designed to assist the initiate on her/his spiritual path. Initiates may avail themselves of this method of spiritual guidance or not and no practices are obligatory.
Initiation on a spiritual path signifies one´s desire to undergo a spiritual training. Those who do not elect to make this formal commitment, however, are fully welcome to participate in the teachings and programs offered by the Sufi Order. Those who choose to mark their commitment by initiation are known as mureeds (students).
Initiation only means a step forward, a step which should be taken with hope and courage, for without courage and hope it would be most difficult to take any forward step. - Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan
Initiation into the Sufi Order demonstrates one´s sincerity
in entering the Sufi path, strengthens one´s powers to do
so, and confers a blessing upon the pupil which enables progress.
This initiation is the linking of the individual Sufi student
with the chain of masters and teachers stretching back through
the ages. The link so formed is of lifetime duration and forges
a solemn bond, similar to the practice of baptism.
One may be initiated into the Sufi Order by one of its Representatives.
Those interested in initiation are encouraged to select a Representative
with whom they feel a deep trust and respect, for those qualities
are necessary to facilitate the training offered. The Initiate
receives spiritual practices from her/his initiator which are
designed to promote spiritual realization, facilitate the unfoldment
of his/her being and assist in meeting life´s challenges
and demands. The practices are not compulsory, but are given as
a gift.
The only regulation which initiates are asked to observe is a
restriction on the use of non-medical drugs. It is Pir Vilayat´s
belief that drugs can interfere with the practices and spiritual
training offered to a student.
A mureed in the Sufi Order is welcome to be initiated into other
esoteric traditions such as Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, or other
Sufi Orders. However, it is advised that a student receive his/her
daily practices from only one guide and consult the Sufi Order
guide about practices he/she is doing from other Orders or traditions.
The intention is to safeguard the well being of the student, so
he/she is not confused by mixing practices that may not be complementary.