What we’re about
A place for conversation, music, mystical study and practice under the guidance of a senior Sufi teacher, open to friends from all directions and generations. Bay Dervish center is part of the Sufi Way, an informal community of service and a contemporary spiritual path, open to all. The center activities are led by Jeanne and Kiran Rana.
Kiran has been engaged with sufism for over 40 years and is a senior teacher and guide in the Sufi Way. Jeanne is a poet and long-term member of the Sufi Way and sings in the choir of the Unitarian Church of Oakland.
Our semi-regular events are
Friday Night Conversations … First Fridays … Door is open at 7:00 pm, talk starts at 7:30 pm
A short introduction followed by conversation and play. We may look at life concerns and the challenges of our times or talk about traditional sufi ideas and ideals concepts and practices.
Qawwali Saturdays … Second Saturdays at 10:30 am (followed by potluck)
Qawwali is Sufi music from India and Pakistan, a 700-year-old tradition of mystical and devotional song. Our sessions are an opportunity to experience and sing qawwali … but even if you just want to listen – come! Qawwali sessions are preceded by Voice Practice for stabilizing the voice.
Zikr~Sama … Fourth Fridays … Door is open at 7:00 pm, zikr starts at 7:30 pm
We open the door at 7:00 pm for people to gather and settle. Sama starts at 7:30 pm with a short meditation, reading or prayer, then we move into zikr. We generally close with a musical zikr and silence.
Informal Universal Worship Service … Fourth Sundays at 3:30 pm every other month
Universal worship services are inclusive and exist for people of different faiths to come together and worship. Framed by the Sufi prayers of Inayat Khan, we read from books or commentaries of different faith streams.
ALL ARE WELCOME …
For more information call Kiran Rana at 510-393-6963 or email kiran@sufiway.org
