IAS Events

Saturday, September 21
at Dominican University of California 

Join the SWO and people of all ages in learning the basic techniques of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), with certified trainer Eddie Zacapa.

Nonviolent Communication is a communication framework developed by psychologist Marshall Rosenberg in the 1960s and has been used by individuals, groups, and peace building organizations around the world. Learning NVC empowers individuals to build stronger relationships, resolve conflicts with compassion, bridge differences, and promote peace and cooperation across diverse communities.  

Saturday, September 21, 10am-12pm
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA
*special scholarships for students available
Registration is available at the door; $20

Saturday, October 19, 2024
at Dominican University of California 

Join IAS on Saturday, October 19, 2024, as IAS honors Dr. Denise Lucy, Executive Director of Dominican University of California’s Institute of Leadership Studies, and Professor, Business and Organizational Studies at Dominican’s Barowsky School of Business, with its Annual Humanitarian Award for the excellence of her work in and dedication to higher education, work in leadership development, and work with non-profits. Dr. Lucy has more than 40 years of experience in higher education as an educator and executive; first at the University of San Francisco and currently at Dominican.

Learn more about Dr. Lucy’s many accomplishments, and register to reserve your spot!

Beyond Identification 2024: “Knowing of the Heart”

This year’s Beyond Identifications program considers the heart as a locus of knowledge and perception. The heart has been recognized as a center of awareness in many spiritual traditions since ancient times. Many healing traditions also recognize that the heart plays a central role growth and transformation.  Presenters include Dr. Jamal Granick and Dorothy Hunt.

Saturday, December 7, 2024
9:00am- 1:00pm (PT), on Zoom

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.