Universal Worship

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This is a two year training course leading toward ordination as a Cherag. A Cherag is the celebrant who conveys the unity of religious ideals through the Universal Worship.

This course is open to all sincere seeks and for current Cherags who want to deepen their attunement to the Universal Worship. This training will be led by Siraj Yaqin Joseph Aubert, with guest presenters, starting April 8th, 9th and 10th, 2022. The training will be on zoom.

Training: Candidates need to send a recommendation from their Inayatiyya guide. If the candidate is does not have a guide in the Inayatiyya, they must schedule an interview with Yaqin yaqin@theabode.org.

Curriculum:

The four tracks of the curriculum are as follows:

1. Attunement to the vision Hazrat Inayat Khan had for the Universal Worship
   • Deep attunement to prophets that comes after learning something about the life and teaching
   • Meditation in the aura practice and other practices with sacred sound & breath
   • The Oneness of Being & knowledge of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s teachings
   • God ideal and Universal Spirit of Guidance
2. Performance of the Service
   • The original service as laid out in the Order of Service will be known by the Cherag
   • Weddings, funerals and other services
   • Prayer in general and specifically of the service
3. Understanding of the Religions
   • Context & history for each individual religion, where it evolved, date if known, principles & ideals, major prophets and figures, sacred scriptures in context of teaching
   • Experience of religion either by actual visit to place of worship or You Tube video with feedback to instructor (note any bias?)
   • Mystical understanding
4. Working with one’s own nafs (ego) in relation to various religions and the religion of one’s birth (both positive & negative).
   • Instructor can ask questions such as what comes up, how does this experience impact your life, what can it teach you or others?
   • Look at your bias, positive or negative, to each religion.
   • What comes up when leading a service? What are your fears?
   • What comes up for you in the idea of being a leader?
   • Racism, environmental and social justice
   • God speaks through you, and everyone is an expression of God
   • When giving a sermon make sure you know the line between self serving and serving others when telling stories about your experience.

Training dates for 2022:

• April 8, 9 and 10th
• June 3, 4 and 5th
• October 28, 29, and 30th
• December 2, 4, 4th

Daily schedule 10:00-5:00

There will be a monthly, evening zoom call on the second Wednesday of each month.
Reading and short writing assignments will be assigned each month; as well as, daily spiritual practices.

Toward the end of the training there will be a three day group retreat. The retreat must be taken as part of completing the training. At the successful completion of the training, the candidate is appointed as an Associate Cherag for a period of 6 months to a year before ordination as a Cherag. Final appointment as a Cherag is at the discretion of the training Siraj.

Fees:

• Initial deposit: $125 payable prior to training, and non refundable, (deductible from training fee). This includes an application fee of $25 which goes to the Universal Worship Secretariat and is non refundable.
• Training fee: $1,700 Payable at the beginning of the course or in installments during the course of the training. Scholarships available.
• Retreat fee: $200 to $500 sliding scale. Payable at the time of the retreat and non refundable. In case of emergency, fee may be credited towards future retreat date at discretion of Siraj.

Participation in a three day in person or zoom Universal Worship retreat with the training Siraj is required for graduation.

Current Cherags who wish to take the training to refresh and strengthen their knowledge of and attunement to the Universal Worship are welcome to attend by donation.

Expenses:

Applicant will purchase a set of 10 candle holders so that they may practice the service during the course of the training. Optional open tip candle lighter may be purchased.

Books to purchase:

• The Unity of Religious Ideals or Song of the Prophets $10 Omega Publications/Suluk Press
• A set of books of world scriptures
• The Religious Dimensions of the Message
• Universal Worship Order of Service $20 + $2 shipping from Universal Worship Secretariat
• Addresses to Cherags $25 + $2 shipping
• Universal Worship training materials – photo copy
• Gayan, Vadan, Nirtan $27.95 Omega Publications/Suluk Press
• The World’s Religions, Houston Smith paper back $4.00

Refund policy:

If a student withdraws from the program, due to health, relocation etc. they may ask the training Siraj for a prorated refund of the training fee, not including the deposit. The refund may be approved depending on the specific circumstances.

If a student is dismissed from the program due to a material violation of the ethics code of conduct, incomplete homework or attendance at training sessions, no monies will be refunded.
Final appointment as a Cherag is at the discretion of the training Siraj.

For questions contact: Siraj Yaqin Joseph Aubert