Inner transformation for outer manifestation!
Let your inner Self inform all dimensions of life
Mission
To help humanity live a balanced life that is spiritually centered and materially abundant.
Vision
Empowering humanity to turn inward and become self-reliant.
What
The mission of Essential Spirituality is to help one become self-reliant and live a balanced life by fostering spiritual growth and practical skills that result in holistic well-being.
Our mission is based on providing valuable services that are either free or based on a pay-as-you-can model, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent anyone from accessing personal development.
Based on the universal traditions of Sufism, Essential Spirituality (Sufiana Sufi) is the innermost kernel of spirituality, the outermost being religion. As one moves inwards, like moving from the various points of the circumference of a circle along different radii, the differences reduce, ultimately uniting in their innermost center. This is where the perfection in humanity or the Essential Sufi resides.
Center everywhere, boundary nowhere. There is no differentiation between outward forms at this point, be it religious or otherwise. If there is no differentiation, how can there be judgment, let alone discrimination? As the poet-mystic, Rumi pointed out, “Come, come, whoever you are, ours is not a caravan of despair!” At Essential Spirituality, all is one.
The Essential Sufi operates seamlessly in this world with all its responsibilities and distractions while being inwardly centered. “Be in this world and with God,” said Babuji, our Teacher (see below).
Why
To know yourself is the purpose of life itself. We might not realize this in our day-to-day activities, but spend some time in solitude and it becomes clear. As our knowledge of the Self deepens, our hearts expand, and our love for others becomes boundless. That is the Cosmic Law or natural order of things (Dharma). Sufis term it the primordial religion (Deen al-Fitra) and Taosits call it the Way.
It is this message that is constantly renewed by avatars, prophets, saints, mystics and spiritual giants who are attuned to the needs of the hour. It is expressed in the words of Saint Augustine: “May I know myself that so that I may know Thee” or in the words of the Prophet Mohammed, “Those who know themselves, know their Lord”.
Our times are fraught with confusion, conflict, rank materialism, and a global ecological crisis, which is why this primordial message of unity, interdependence, harmony, and balance is critically important to the survival of our planet.
Tradition tells us that those who strive to uphold Dharma in these trying times are much more likely to fulfill their destiny and actualize their potential. What is needed to take us forward is the right outlook and tools.
Essential Spirituality is a small effort in this direction through the grace and guidance of our late teacher (Pir), Babuji, and the blessings of the Qadiriya lineage. Our ardent hope is that all viewers enjoy and benefit from the content of this website and its work.
Who
The Indian Sufi Mystic, Babuji (d. 2012) encouraged the founders of Essential Spirituality, Dr. Uday Shinde, Ph.D. (Gulaam Dastagir), and his wife, Diana Shinde (Maryam Qadri), to start a spiritual venture based in the United States and India to help individuals find balance in a hurried world, and to transcend our differences. Babuji’s eldest son and successor, Pirzada Abdul Shakur Qadri, has likewise given his blessing and consent for this undertaking.
Babuji came into Dr. Shinde’s life when he was 14 years old and initiated him in the famous Qadiriya Order of Sufis at the age of 22 years. He was fully authorized to undertake this work as a teacher in 2011. In recognition of Dr. Shinde’s efforts in encouraging individual spiritual growth and universal values, he was honored with the name, Gulaam Dastagir – Servant of the Helper by Hazratsaheb.
Diana Shinde (Maryam Qadri) became his student in 2004. She is a sociologist by degree and a Sufi in training. She has worked with Sufis and scholars across the globe and has authored multiple books on Sufism for adults and children.
Together they bring many years of inter-spiritual experience to readers, listeners, and viewers interested in the heart of spirituality, spiritual experience, and humanity’s collective wisdom.
Hazratsaheb or Babuji (Allama Maulana Chaman Qadri of Bundi, India)is the inspiration behind Essential Spirituality. For more about the Qadiriya lineage of Sufis (Wandering mystics of the ancient Middle East and India) to which Hazratsaheb belonged, read the Inspiration and lineage pages.
Values
- Transcendent: That which is your true, spiritual nature
- Practical: That which enables the unique expression of your true nature on a daily basis
- Universal: That which allows you to truly empathize with all living beings
How (Our services and model)
Our teacher, Babuji emphasized a simple methodology to convey the intrinsic values of spirituality – Transcendence, Practice and Universality. These principles are in fact the very essence of all spirituality (for more, see our article, Spirituality: What it is. Really ). This vision is translated into practical tools and resources by EssentialSpirituality through the following services and an adherence to the pro-bono and pay-as-you-can model.
- Free website resources including a peer-reviewed Spirituality Types Quiz, well-researched articles, videos, meditation sessions and newsletter.
- Local and online workshops on stress management, work life balance, productivity and creativity.
- BALiEVE Coaching services that emphasize balanced living and achievement designed to accommodate individual needs and goals.
- Jyotish consultations for those who have a mystical bent of mind harnessing the power of Jungian techniques and ancient Vedic tradition.
On this platform, we will discuss all things spiritual, esoteric, and beyond. Expect to see information on spiritual practices, eschatological significations, Vedic astrology, productivity, coaching and more. As far as possible, the work presented here will be well-annotated so that anyone can take it to the next level. Towards this end, we will regularly share rich content, provide direction, and suggest practices.