Khankah SAM, a residential Sufi community in San Francisco, is a center for spiritual practice and activities under the guidance of Murshid Wali Ali Meyer. This urban center is composed of members who choose to support and actively participate in many Sufi and community activities, such as Dharma night, Dances of Universal Peace, musical Zikr practice, and other opportunities for spiritual study.

One of the community events is the weekly Tuesday night potluck dinners where the Khankah has welcomed people from all over the world for more than 25 years. In general, the Bay Area is a treasurehouse of Sufi activities within the Inayati, Mevlevi and other lineages as well as many diverse spiritual and cultural offerings.

The Khankah consists of the Mentorgarten at 410 Precita Avenue, plus two residential houses located close by in the Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. The houses on Norwich Street form a compound set amidst beautiful gardens in a large landscape with a stunning view overlooking much of San Francisco and the Bay Area across Marin and the East Bay. There is a beautiful well-equipped community kitchen and dining area which forms the heart of the shared household. The precious paper archives of all of Murshid Samuel Lewis’ writings are housed in this complex, in a space that is also a library of spiritual texts and a meditation room.

Wali Ali and his family live at the Mentorgarten, which was Murshid Samuel Lewis’ home. The downstairs meeting room, where the Dances of Universal Peace first began, is open for classes and other activities during the year. Sufi students living in the area often join us in these activities and are considered associate members.

Details of Khankah SAM activities and schedules can be found by visiting ruhaniat.org, and clicking on Khankah SAM or by simply going to khankahsam.org.

At this time, we are happy to report that two spaces are open for new residents at Khankah SAM. One of these spaces, at 63 Norwich Street is a studio unit with its own bathroom and private entrance that has been recently upgraded. It would be suitable for a couple or for a single person. The rent for this space is $800 per month. The other space is a small single room with shared bath on the upper floor of 65 Norwich. The rent for this room is $625.

The choice to join the Khankah is particularly appropriate for Sufi initiates who wish to actively pursue the path of universal Sufism expressed by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan and Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti (Murshid Samuel Lewis). In many respects it is the birthplace of the Sufi Ruhaniat International.

Those who are interested in exploring the option of joining Khankah SAM in the immediate future should contact Murshid Wali Ali via email: waliali@marinsufis.com. A representative of the Khankah will respond to your inquiry and set in motion further communication about the process. In addition to residency, Khankah SAM also makes accommodations for short and long term guests. There are guidelines for the community life and responsibilities that are detailed in a paper sent for review to all who are interested in the possibility of joining this urban Sufi community.

Love and Blessings,
Murshid Wali Ali Meyer for Khankah SAM