The Institute for Sufi Studies (ISS) is a collaborative effort that invites people from around the world with the common interest of Sufism to join together for research and study of this ancient wisdom. ISS began in 2000 as an educational department of the International Association of Sufism. ISS offers classes directly through its center, online and at other educational institutions. Faculty are practitioners of Sufism as well as teachers in many diverse disciplines, including religion, literature, psychology, philosophy, sociology, education, martial arts, and science.
Course Offerings
Stations of the Sufi Path
Stations of the Sufi Path,
with Sufi Master Dr. Nahid Angha
An analytical study of the classical Persian masterpiece: Sad Maydan (One Hundred Stations of the Sufi Path) written by ‘Abdu‘llāh Ansāri of Hirat, a tenth Sufi master of Khurasan. The course will study a number of Stations with focus on Ansari’s rich prose style, mystical and allegorical commentaries; and will make a short comparison between Sad Maydan and Ansari’s Manāzil al-Sāirin (Stations of the Wayfarers).
Nahid Angha is Sufi scholar, translator and commentator of great numbers of classical Islamic mystical texts, including ‘Abdu‘llāh Ansāri of Hirat (in
Sundays 2026 (6 Sundays), 1:30-2:30pm PST:
January 11
February 8
March 8
April 12
May 17
June 14
*Classes are offered in person or online (Zoom, link provided)
Registration is full.
Understanding the Qur'an
Understanding the Qur’an,
with Sufi Master Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar
This public class is offered for persons of all spiritual backgrounds and traditions who are seeking to learn more about themselves, the true but hidden messages of the Qur’an, and to more deeply understand the knowledgeable way toward universal understanding of the Divine.
Sundays 2026 (6 Sundays), 3:00-4:00pm PST:
January 11
February 8
March 8
April 12
May 17
June 14
*Classes are offered in person or online (Zoom, link provided)
Register for Additional
Winter Courses here
Introduction to Sufism
This course will introduce the history of Sufism, the mystical path of Islam, as well as an overview of its major principles and practices. It is suitable for anyone who is new to Sufism and would like to learn more.
Instructor: Jamal Granick, PhD
Dates and Time: Six Fridays (6:30-7:30pm PT), beginning January 2, 2026
Registration: https://instituteforsufistudies.org/course/introduction-to-sufism/
Sufi Heart-Based Meditation
This class is designed for practitioners of meditation according to the heart-based 40 Days teachings of Sufi Masters Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyed Dr. Ali Kianfar. The heart-based practice is a system based on the centrality of the heart in discovering inner knowledge as we travel the transformative spiritual journey toward Self-knowledge.
Instructor: Arife Hammerle, Ph.D.
Dates and Time: Six Sundays (9-10:30 AM PST), beginning January 11, 2026
Registration: https://instituteforsufistudies.org/course/introduction-to-sufism/
The Mystery of Zero
This course will explore the historical movements and geographical spread of Islamic civilization and its impact on the Western thought, philosophy, mathematics, science, literature, and art up to the present time.
Instructor: Jamal Granick, PhD
Dates and Time: 8 Wednesdays (6:30-7:30pm PT), beginning January 7, 2026
Registration: https://instituteforsufistudies.org/course/the-mystery-of-zero/
Community Offerings
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.
Breath and Movement
Awareness of Breath and Movement
Weekly practice group
Sundays, 7:45-8:45am 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.