IAS Events

Science, Psyche, and Spirituality:
Resonance and the Collective Unconscious
featuring internationally renowned author Rupert Sheldrake, PhD
with Dr. Arife Hammerle

Saturday, October 11, 2025
9:00-11:00am PT, online

Program Description:
According to Rupert Sheldrake’s hypothesis of formative causation, all self-organizing systems—including crystals, organisms and societies—are organized by morphic fields, which contain an inherent memory. This memory is transmitted through a process called morphic resonance, whereby current systems are influenced by previous similar systems. Through this process, all human beings draw upon a collective human memory, similar to Jung’s collective unconscious, and, in turn, contribute to it. Even individual memory, according to Dr. Sheldrake, depends on morphic resonance rather than on physical memory traces stored within the brain. Social groups also carry memories in their organizing fields, which may underlie family patterns that recur over generations. We will explore the meaning of resonance as it relates to science, psyche, and spirit. Dr Arife Hammerle will explore similar themes from the perspective of Sufi Psychology.

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On October 17, 2025, IAS will be honoring Elaine Petrocelli — founder of the independent Marin and San Francisco bookstore Book Passage —with its Annual Humanitarian Award. Elaine exemplifies the vital role local business owners, and especially independent booksellers, can play in cultivating a values-rich community culture where authors are active participants. Through her bookstores, Elaine has created a community venue where all are welcome to hear speakers, take classes, find nourishment for mind and soul, and share together meaning, entertainment, and personal growth. The number of lives she and Book Passage have touched is extraordinary.

Among her accomplishments and awards, Elaine has been named “Bookseller of the Year” by Publishers Weekly and honored as a “Woman Making History” by the International Women’s Forum. Her recognitions also include the “Creative Achievement Award” from the City of Mill Valley and the “Inspiring the Future Award” from the Marin Education Fund. In tribute to her lasting impact, she has been inducted into the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame.

The award will be presented at IAS’s Annual Inspiration Dinner, taking place at 7:00 p.m. on October 17, 2025 at the Spinnaker restaurant in Sausalito, California.

Ticket sales coming soon!

Institute of Sufi Studies Classes

Reading and Study Group

Sufi Psychology Reading & Study Group
Third Friday of the Month, 9-10am PST, on Zoom
Contact Dr. Amineh Pryor, Ph.D.

Amineh Amelia Pryor, Ph.D., LMFT is a student of Uwaiysi Sufism under the guidance of Sufi Masters Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar, co-director of the Sufism and Psychology Forum, and a clinical supervisor and psychotherapist at the Community Healing Centers in San Francisco.

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.

Sarah Hastings Mullin, Ph.D., is a member of IAS and of the 40 Days Alchemy of Tranquility Program. She received her Ph.D. from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, and is a clinical psychology with a private practice in Northern California. She holds a second degree black belt in Aikido, and has published several books on the teachings and practice of Sufism.

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.

Jamal Lawrence Granick, Ph.D., is a licensed psychotherapist in California and New Mexico. He is student of Uwaiysi Sufism under the guidance of Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Dr. Seyyed Ali Kianfar and a member of IAS.  Dr. Granick serves the IAS Executive Committee, and has participated in IAS programs for more than 20 years, including presenting on Sufism and Psychology nationally and internationally.

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. if interested.

Jalal Brian Heery, Ph.D. is a 5th degree black belt and head instructor at Rocky Valley Aikido in Menlo Park. He has been investigating the interstices between the body, mind, and spirit, since his time as a competitive world class gymnast. Dr. Heery did his doctoral research on “Awakening Spirit in the Body,” and is a student of the Uwaiysi School of Sufism, under the guidance of Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar.

Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names

Illumination of the Names
Monthly discussion group
Wednesdays, 7-8 pm PST, on Zoom
Contact Leili First, Ph.D. if interested.

Leili First, Ph.D. is a student of Uwaiysi Sufism and a long-time member of the International Association of Sufism. Dr. First has given lectures on Sufism and Women in Islam at colleges and universities and presented at the Annual Sufism Symposium and Parliament of the World’s Religions.  She holds a Ph.D. in Transformative Studies.

40 Days Meditation Group

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

Arife Ellen Hammerle, Ph.D. is a senior teacher of the Uwaiysi School of Sufism, guided by Sufi Masters Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali. Kianfar. Dr. Hammerle is a member of the International Association of Sufism and sits on the Executive Committee for the Institute for Sufi Studies. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, and teaches courses at the Institute for Sufi Studies and 40 Days Alchemy of Tranquility Program.

Discussion on Nahj al-Balagha

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, MSW is a licensed clinical social worker.  For the past 30 years, he has provided case work and mental health services to underserved and at-risk youth in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Mr. Baruti is a student of Sufism and uses transformative life skills including Sufi wisdom, stories and sayings that he has learned from his teachers to help young people appreciate and value their lives.