Aligning with the Illuminated
The Berkeley Hillside Club,
Berkeley, California, June 6 & 7, 2026

The Sufis live for God alone; They have no other impetus.
Their bodies may be skin and bone, And yet their hearts are limitless.
— Pir Zia Inayat Khan, from Tears from the Mother of the Sun

Overview

Join us for a weekend gathering of teachings with Pir Zia Inayat Khan, a mystic, scholar, and teacher of the Inayatiyya, a universalist Sufi lineage of his grandfather, Hazrat Inayat Khan. This weekend is open to all: seekers, initiates, and anyone curious about developing the capacity of the heart and living a life of spiritual liberty.

Our weekend together will connect us with the Diwan, or High Council (mala al-a'la), which consists of the illuminated souls we call on in Sufi prayers. These souls collectively work to guide us toward divinity as the destiny of creation unfolds. The masters, saints, and prophets who compose the Diwan are shining exemplars of the Divine Qualities of love, harmony, and beauty.

When the procession of these illuminated souls is viewed in its planetary entirety, the unity of the Message is seen in full relief. When this vision is experienced directly, human life takes on a profound dedication to the path of service and glorification for which we were all born.

Schedule

We will gather Saturday and Sunday, June 6th & 7th, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm each day, with a two-hour lunch break. Morning and afternoon sessions will include teachings with Pir Zia, with breaks between sessions. A detailed schedule will be shared with registrants closer to the event.

There will also be a special free gathering on Friday evening, June 5th, from 7:00–8:30 pm, for local and visiting murids (students of the Inayatiyya Inner School). Details on the Friday evening gathering will be sent closer to the event date.

On Thursday, June 4th, there will be a book reading and conversation between Pir Zia and Nilufar Maryam Hasnaa, featuring Pir Zia's new book, Tears from the Mother of the Sun, held at The Alembic in Berkeley. Click here to learn more and register.

Registration & Pricing

Tuition covers all Saturday and Sunday sessions. Meals are not included. This program is in-person only and will not be livestreamed.

The regular tuition for this program is $240. To give those who plan ahead a break on tuition, we are offering an early-registration discount. Those who register after June 1st will be asked to pay a small surcharge to help cover additional administrative costs.

Early Bird — Register by May 1: $215
Regular — May 2 through June 1: $240
Late / At the Door — After June 1: $265

A limited-income rate for $145 is available while spots last for those who need it — no application or explanation required.

Lodging & Meals

Our gathering will take place at The Berkeley Hillside Club, located at 2286 Cedar Street, Berkeley, CA 94709, in a walkable neighborhood with many options nearby.

Lodging: The venue does not provide housing. Berkeley has a good range of hotels and Airbnbs within a short distance of the Hillside Club. We recommend booking early, especially if you'd like to stay within walking distance. Nearby options include the Hotel Shattuck Plaza and the Graduate Berkeley, as well as various Airbnb listings in the North Berkeley hills.

Meals: Lunch is on your own during the two-hour midday break. The neighborhood around the Hillside Club has several restaurants and cafés within easy walking distance along Shattuck Avenue and Euclid Avenue. You are also welcome to bring your own lunch.

Getting There: Street parking near the venue is limited; carpooling is strongly encouraged. The Hillside Club is accessible by AC Transit bus and is about a 15-minute walk from the North Berkeley BART station.

Questions

If you have questions about our Berkeley gathering with Pir Zia, please email us at astana@inayatiyya.org.

Contact the host of Aligning with the Illuminated, Berkeley CA