01
Sufi Centres
Establishing Sufi centers in the Universal Sufi tradition of Inayat Khan:
In 1975, Sill began organizing Sufi meetings in Edmonton. In collaboration with others, this work later expanded to Banff and Calgary, and the esoteric gathering, Rocky Mountain Sufi Camp, held annually for decades at Lake O’Hara Lodge. Through Shamcher’s inspiration, she was instrumental in founding and encouraging the development of Sufi centers in Western Canada.
As well as in Canada, she has led gatherings and activities in the US, Mexico and Europe.
02
Teaching
Meditation, Practices, Teaching and Initiation:
For many years, Sill initiated pupils and taught meditation in the open tradition of Inayat Khan, helping to spread these practices in Canada.
Through her first initiator, Shamcher Beorse, she was later connected to Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan (then the Sufi Order),Shahabuddin Less, Wali Ali and other members of the Ruhaniat. He connected her to Pir-o-Murshid Hidayat Inayat Khan (then the Sufi Movement) who gave her the name, Sufia, and also enabled an initiatory contact with Shaikh al-Mashaik Mahmood Khan.
03
Activities
Toward the One:
Carol Sill, also known as Sufia, has been devoted to the Inner School, the esoteric line of the Sufi effort founded by Hazrat Inayat Khan. As a Cherag and Siraj, she has founded Universal Worship activities, performed regular devotional services, as well as weddings, baby blessings, house blessings, and memorial services. She worked with Pir-o-Murshid Hidayat Khan to establish a Zirat Ceremony at Lake O’Hara. In addition, she has been involved in the Healing Order, and has been a leader of Dances of Universal Peace (Sufi Dancing.)
04
Archives
Archival work: Sill manages the Shamcher Archives, preserving his important Sufi teachings and historical documents for the future.
Through the archives, she has published books and articles by Shamcher Bryn Beorse, the Norwegian/American pupil of Inayat Khan who was instrumental in spreading the Sufi work worldwide, in many disciplines.
05
Publications
Publications:
She published “Letters: Shamcher Beorse and Carol Sill, 1974-1977,” which documents her spiritual journey and correspondence with her mentor and teacher, Shamcher Bryn Beorse, a student of Inayat Khan. This book provides unique insights into the profound teacher-student relationship in Sufism, described by some as the relation between Shams Tabriz and Rumi.
Carol’s work has been featured in recent books on Sufism: *Dervishes of the North
*Sufism in Canada
*Technicians of the Heart.
*Ziraat Reader
She has also published Notes on the Sacred Element Work, and the Sufi-based novel, Attars.
06
Communication
Staying in Touch: Although no longer active organizationally, Carol remains in touch with many of the Sufis who had been involved in the early work of Sufism in Canada, as well as others in various organizations such as The Sufi Movement, Sufi Circle Canada, Sufi Ruhaniat, and The Inayattiya as well as many independent Sufis.