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Recordings by Shabda

Interview with Shabda on Sufi Radio, KWMR Community Radio in Point Reyes, CA, July 2010.

Talk on the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah, Sufi Symposium, June 27, 2010

Cultivating the Inner Life - Developing Motivation, Compassion and Ease, August 2, 2009
Pir Shabda fearlessly dives into the struggles and questions at the heart of our human experience, beginning with an inquiry into our purpose and suggesting ease as the ideal strategy for action leading to enduring happiness. Recorded at a Sufi Retreat in Portland, Oregon.

Part A: Pir discusses the origins and nature of the new wazifa book and works with Ya Qadir and Ya Muqtadir. (77.8 MB)

Part B: Shabda shares Hazrat Inayat Khan's message to "seek continually an answer to every question that arises in the heart." He works with the wazaif, Ya Waasiya and Ya Waleeya, as well as the pairs, Ya Malik and Ya Malik-al-Mulk. Having described the value of action and activism, he concludes by addressing the similarity among Vipassana and Tibetan Buddhist practices with Sufic self-effacement methods. (76.2 MB)

Katwijk, Holland Talks, June 1, 2009

Part A: Shabda begins by asking to hear the beautiful names of all present and follows with an introduction to the new book of 99 Beautiful Names. He sets the intention to bring inspiration for unfolding our unique purpose and offers insights in wazifa practice on strength.

Part B: Pir guides the search for our essence and highlights the discovery that everything we experience is God, sharing teachings and stories from Hazrat Inayat Khan, Tai Situ Rinpoche, the Buddha, and others.

Part C: Shabda emphasizes valuing everyday life and leads wazifa practices. This delightful talk includes the "good news" that the soul, our essence, is already perfect and cannot be stained.

Zikr of Blessing, August 17, 2009
Recorded in the Dome at Lama Foundation with Pir Shabda Kahn, accompanied by Ravi Austin Babcock, Krishnadas Rayfield, Habib Bishop and Elaine Sutton.

Open Talk: Nine Gates, May, 2007
In his characteristically penetrating and humorous style, Shabda leads the group through a journey of exploration with discussion, grounded insights into the human condition and experience, and readings of masters from various religious traditions such as Hazrat Inayat Khan of Sufism. He begins by discussing the path of the heart, the origins of Sufism, and a brief overview of his Sufi lineage. He moves from there into discussing the core motivations at the heart of all living beings, the role and approaches of the spiritual path and strategies for happiness. (108 MB)

The Importance of Breath, May, 2007
An open talk at Nine Gates. Building on the words of Hazrat Inayat Khan, "In rhythm with life's conditions and in tune with the Infinite," Pir Shabda guides the listeners through many exercises of breath to reveal the importance of this "pendulum" in the path of the Sufi. (63.1 MB)

Our Human Search, March 4, 2006
With the thesis, "Passion for the Goal, Patience with What Arises," Pir Shabda offers a vibrant and humored investigation of what we are searching for in our lives with all of our actions. Sharing teachings of scholars from around the world and throughout time, he offers food for thought. Asking and answering questions of the group's participants, he provides opportunity for grounded insight. Recorded in Ashland, Oregon. (50.3 MB))

Prescott, Arizona Talks, March 3, 2006

Part 1 (58 minutes, 59.4 MB)
Diving into the life experiences and questions of the participants as well as the wisdom of great teachers, Pir Shabda reveals the importance and empowerment that arises when one can connect with our innate desire for the true happiness of awakening because we can shape our actions more skillfully toward this goal.

Part 2 (59 minutes, 55 MB)
In his characteristically pragmatic approach, Pir Shabda explores our relationship to ego and offers techniques and guidance about how to move through the tendency toward self-grasping.

Part 3 (31 minutes, 29.2 MB)
What is a Sufi? Using extensive quotes from Hazrat Inayat Khan, anecdotes from his own experiences, and the integral role of the breath this is a tender and thorough discussion of the path of Sufism.

Murshid Sam's Birthday, 2006
In this touching gathering, students and friends of Murshid Sam honor his life on the occasion of the anniversary of his Birthday. Recounting anecdotes from his teachings, relationships with teachers, and family life, the honored guests include Murshid Wali Ali, Pir Shabda, and Sheikha Sara Morgan and Murshida Mariam Baker. Fairfax, California. (34.6 MB)

The Path to God, Jan 20, 2006
Set to the syncopated rhythm of the rooster call characteristic of the island of Kauai, this recording is a talk in which Pir Shabda delves into our innate human thirst to know the Divine and into the specific nature of the Divine. Additionally, the effects that a close relationship with the Divine offers, as well as the tools that will help us "see the altar of God everywhere," are explored in a most joyful and intimate manner. Kauai, Hawaii (79.5 MB)

Raga Bhairavi/the Melodic Zikr: 3-part series, April 2008
In this three-part series, recorded at the annual Federation of the Sufi Message Gathering at the Abode of the Message, Pir Shabda Kahn guides the listener in deepening our understanding of the Melodic Zikr set by Hazrat Inayat Khan in Raga Bhairavi with a special focus on its inclusion of both the flatted and the natural second notes. He expounds upon the history of the development of this piece from earlier and later versions written in the hand of Pir-O-Murshid.

Inviting us with his skillful guidance into the experience of learning to sing this beautiful raga and zikr, Shabda expands our experience with an excellent overview of the nature of Raga Bhairavi itself with its particular use of all twelve notes of the scale. Additionally, his talks present general principles of raga theory and practice, including the 16-beat rhythmic structure and tempo in which the Melodic Zikr is set, as well as improvisation.

Concluding each session, he plays archival recordings as examples of Raga Bhairavi's many possible expressions, culminating with Pir-O-Murshid Inayat Khan singing Bhairavi to conclude this wonderful series. Naturally, Shabda's witty and deeply insightful comments on the power of this music and practice inform the mind and elevate the heart.

Part 1 (53.8 MB)
Part 2 (63.3 MB)
Part 3 (61.5 MB)

Talks by Others

12th Tai Situ Rinpoche: 2/9/2010
A talk given by the 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche to our Hazrat Inayat Khan URS Pilgrimage Group in Sunder Nagar, New Delhi on February 9, 2010. The subject was developing and refining our meditation in life.

Karen Armstrong: 9/25/2009 Talk at the San Francisco Jewish Community Center
Excellent talk by Karen Armstrong: Understanding the universality of Religious Ideals, overcoming fundamentalism, developing Universal Compassion, and introducing her "Charter for Compassion."

Karen Armstrong: Understanding Islam and the West, 2/21/2008
First Unitarian Church, San Francisco. (129.4 MB)

Karen Armstrong: Judaism, Christianity, Islam: Mysticism, Fundamentalism and the World
Saturday, February 23, 2008, Presidio Golden Gate Club, San Francisco

Part 1 (67.6 MB)
Part 2 (65.5 MB)
Part 3 (78 MB)
Part 4 (67 MB)