We would like to offer you these three sample Prayers for World Healing rituals for you to try them with your group. You are welcome to use them as a starting point and adapt them in any way you see fit. For instance, one could adapt them to create a Christian or a Buddhist ritual.
If there is anything you wish to ask, please send an email to Steve at grumbla342@gmail.com or to our Office info@ihuk.org.
In designing these Rituals, we have drawn inspiration from several spiritual traditions including the universal Sufism of Hazrat Inayat Khan who taught the unity of all peoples and religions. These are some quotes of the teachings of Inayat Khan:
“The Sufi's God is the only Being that exists. His teacher is the spirit of inner guidance; his holy book is the manuscript of nature, his community is the whole of humanity. His religion is love. There is no god of any people who is not his God, no spiritual teacher of any creed who is not his teacher. There is no sacred scripture that he does not accept, since he is the worshipper of light and the follower of love, and yet he is free from all the world's distinctions and differences.”
Volume V - Spiritual Liberty
“If only we would recognize the inner voice, we would see that the different scriptures all contain words spoken by one and the same voice. Some hear the voice, others only hear the words, just as in nature some see only the branches and others the roots of the tree; but all these different scriptures and ways of worship and of contemplating God are given for one purpose: the realization of unity. In unity resides the happiness and illumination of man, and his guidance in life.
True life cannot be ours until unity is achieved. It is the work of religion to promote the spirit of unity, in the knowledge and love of God to whom all devotion belongs. Man often seeks for psychic, occult, and magnetic powers. This is not the purpose of religion; these developments come of themselves. Where there is life and love, there is magnetism; love itself is the healing power and the remedy for all pain. All occult powers belong to the divine life, but man should live a natural life and realize the nature of God. The only studies which are worth accomplishing are those which lead to the realization of God, and of unity first with God and then with the self, and so with all. It is not necessary for us to be told that we have progressed; we ourselves will know when our hearts go forward; and by loving, forgiving, and serving, our whole life becomes one single vision of the sublime beauty of God.”
Volume IX - The Unity of Religious Ideals
“What is the message of Sufism? Sufism is the message of digging out that water-like life which has been buried by the impressions of this material life. God is to be found in the heart of man, which is his shrine. That living thing in the heart is love. It may come forth as kindness, as friendship, as sympathy, as tolerance, as forgiveness, but in whatever form this living water rises from the heart, it proves the heart to be a divine spring. And when once this spring is open and is rising, then everything that a man does in action, in word, or in feeling is all religion; that man becomes truly religious. If there is any new religion to come, it will be this religion, the religion of the heart.”
Volume IX - The Unity of Religious Ideals
Ritual: 10-minutes – Expanded Focuses
[These are just some of the possible focuses; do feel free to expand.]
A: HEALING FOR TREES
1) We embrace and pray for all aspects of our being which are harming trees through deforestation, pollution, the spreading of disease, and through insufficient care
2) We embrace and pray for all who are harming trees through deforestation, pollution, the spreading of disease, and through insufficient care
3) We embrace and pray for all trees which are being harmed by disease, pollution, deforestation and climate change
4) We embrace and pray for all those who are caring for trees, and helping them to heal
B: HEALING FOR ANIMALS
5) We embrace and pray for all aspects of our being which are harming animals through cruelty, exploitation, pollution, the spreading of disease, and neglect
6) We embrace and pray for all who are harming animals through cruelty, exploitation, pollution, the spreading of disease, and neglect
7) We embrace and pray for all animals who are being harmed by cruelty, exploitation, pollution, the spreading of disease, and neglect
8) We embrace and pray for all those who are caring for animals, and helping them to heal
C: HEALING FOR BIRDS
[other species, such as bees, butterflies etc. can be substituted]
9) We embrace and pray for all aspects of our being which are harming birds through cruelty, exploitation, pollution, the spreading of disease, and neglect
10) We embrace and pray for all who are harming birds through cruelty, exploitation, pollution, the spreading of disease, and neglect
11) We embrace and pray for all birds who are being harmed by cruelty, exploitation, pollution, the spreading of disease, and neglect
12) We embrace and pray for all those who are caring for birds, and helping them to heal
D: HEALING FOR THE PLANET’S ECOLOGY – GENERAL
13) We embrace and pray for all aspects of our being which are harming the planet through exploitation, pollution, and insufficient care
14) We embrace and pray for all in the world who are harming the planet through exploitation, pollution, and insufficient care
15) We embrace and pray for all in the world who are suffering from climate change
and deforestation
16) We embrace and pray for all of the world’s political and business leaders and decision makers, that they will make, implement and maintain the ecological policies necessary for the safeguarding and healing of the planet
E: HEALING FOR THE SOIL, THE OCEANS AND WATERWAYS, AND THE ATMOSPHERE
17) We embrace and pray for all aspects of our being which are harming the planet through exploitation, pollution, and insufficient care
18) We embrace and pray for all who are harming the planet through exploitation, pollution, and insufficient care
19) We embrace and pray for the Earth’s soil
20) We embrace and pray for the Earth’s oceans and waterways
21) We embrace and pray for the Earth’s atmosphere
22) We embrace and pray for all who are caring for the planet, and who are helping it heal
F: HEALING FOR PHYSICAL & MENTAL ILLNESS
23) We embrace and pray for all aspects of our physical being which are suffering from illness and disease
24) We embrace and pray for all human beings who are suffering from physical illness and disease
25) We embrace and pray for all aspects of our being which are suffering from mental and emotional illness
26) We embrace and pray for all human beings who are suffering from mental and emotional illness
27) We embrace and pray for all those who are caring for people with physical or mental illness
G: HEALING FOR CONFLICT AND VIOLENCE
28) We embrace and pray for all aspects of our being which are engaged in conflict with ourselves or others
29) We embrace and pray for all aspects of our being which are suffering from conflict or violence
30) We embrace and pray for all in ______ [name country/area] who are using violence
31) We embrace and pray for all in ______ who are suffering from violence
32) We embrace and pray for all who are trying to build lasting peace in ______
Below we have listed just some of the many areas of ongoing conflict in the world:
The Uighur people of China
The Rohingya people of Myanmar (also known as Burma)
Yemen
Syria
Lebanon
Libya
Palestine/Israel
Sudan
Somalia
Ethiopia (Tigray)
Nigeria (north)
The Congo
Nagorno-Karabakh
Ukraine
H: HEALING FOR NATURAL EVENTS & RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION
33) We embrace and pray for all who are suffering from the ______ [natural event] in ______ [whichever country]
34) We embrace and pray for all who are working to alleviate suffering in ______
35) We embrace and pray for all who are suffering from religious persecution in ______
36) We embrace and pray for all who are causing religious persecution in ______
37) We embrace and pray for all who are trying to build peace through mediation in _____
I: HEALING FOR THE VICTIMS OF SLAVERY, RACIAL PERSECUTION AND DISCRIMINATION
38) We embrace and pray for all aspects of our being which are racially prejudiced
39) We embrace and pray for all those whose ancestors were the victims of slavery and racial discrimination
40) We embrace and pray for all who are suffering today from racial persecution and discrimination
41) We embrace and pray for all who are suffering today from ‘modern slavery’
42) We embrace and pray for all who are working for racial equality and harmony in the fields of education, health, employment, housing, and legal justice
43) We embrace and pray for all who are working to construct a vibrant, cohesive and harmonious society, built upon mutual respect, inclusion, care, compassion and friendship
J: HEALING FOR PERSECUTION ON ACCOUNT OF GENDER AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION
44) We embrace and pray for aspects of our being which are prejudiced against people on account of their gender or sexual orientation
45) We embrace and pray for all who attack people on account of their gender or sexual orientation
46) We embrace and pray for all who suffer persecution on account of their gender
47) We embrace and pray for all who suffer persecution on account of their sexual orientation
48) We embrace and pray for all who are committed to overcoming prejudice and discrimination in all its negative manifestations.
K: HEALING FOR ALL WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM POVERTY AND LACK
[This is a large group of focuses; do feel free to choose just some of them for a 10 minute ritual]
49) We embrace and pray for aspects of our being which are starved of love, light and life
50) We embrace and pray for all who live in poverty, and who lack the basics for survival
51) We embrace and pray for all who cannot afford or find sufficient nutritious food
52) We embrace and pray for all who have no access to clean drinking water
53) We embrace and pray for all who have no access to basic healthcare
54) We embrace and pray for all who have no access to basic education and justice
55) We embrace and pray for those who are working to provide clean drinking water, food, health care, education and justice for all who lack these basics for survival
56) We embrace and pray all of the world’s political and business leaders and decision makers, that they will make, implement and maintain the policies necessary to create a world in which the basics for survival are freely available for all
Ritual: 10-minutes – Healing for the Planet’s Ecology
1. Spend a little time watching the breath flow in and out.
Invite any Being of healing to be present with you during the ritual.
2. Say an invocation:
Towards the One
The Perfection of Love, Harmony and Beauty
The Spirit of Peace and Healing,
United with All.
3. Reflect upon the following words: ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’.
4. Becoming a channel for peace.
Let these words rest in the breath. [3 times]
Inhale: Peace in my heart
Exhale: My heart radiates peace
5. Becoming a channel for healing.
Again, let these words by Hazrat Inayat Khan rest in the breath. [3 times]
Inhale My body, heart and soul
Exhale radiate the healing spirit of God
6. Offering five focuses for peace and healing.
After naming each focus, repeat silently Shafee (or O Divine Healer) on the in-breath, and Kafee (or O Divine Remedy) on the out-breath 5 times
After the five breaths, repeat out loud:
Ya Rahman Ya Rahim (or O compassionate and Merciful One) [3 times]
a) We embrace and pray for all aspects of our being which are engaged in conflict with ourselves or others
b) We embrace and pray for all aspects of our being which are suffering from conflict or violence
c) We embrace and pray for all in Afghanistan who are using violence
d) We embrace and pray for all in Afghanistan who are suffering from violence
e) We embrace and pray for all who are trying to build lasting peace in Afghanistan
7. Repeat Aman (or Protection) 11 times: invoking divine Sanctuary for the world.
8. Repeat Ya Shakur 3 times in recognition of the abundance and blessings life offers us.
9. Raise the hands above the head, and gently brush the subtle energy down in front of the body. Then take a few slow breaths.
10. To close, say the Healing Mantra:
Healing in my Heart
Healing in this Place
Healing in our Land
And throughout the World
Healing
Ritual: 10-minutes – another sample – Healing for the Planet’s Ecology
1. Spend a little time watching the breath flow in and out.
Invite any Being of healing to be present with you during the ritual.
2. Say an invocation:
Towards the One
The Perfection of Love, Harmony and Beauty
The Spirit of Peace and Healing,
United with All.
3. Becoming a channel for peace. Say the Peace Mantra:
Peace in my Heart - Peace in this Place - Peace in our Land - And throughout the World - Peace
4. Becoming a channel for healing.
Let these words by Hazrat Inayat Khan rest in the breath. [3 times]
Inhale My body, heart and soul
Exhale radiate the healing spirit of God
5. Offering four focuses for peace and healing.
After naming each focus, repeat silently Shafee (or O Divine Healer) on the in-breath, and Kafee (or O Divine Remedy) on the out-breath 5 times
After the five breaths, repeat out loud:
Ya Rahman, Ya Rahim (or O Compassionate and Merciful One) [3 times]
a) We embrace and pray for all aspects of our being which are harming the planet through exploitation, pollution, and insufficient care
b) We embrace and pray for all in the world who are harming the planet through exploitation, pollution, and insufficient care
c) We embrace and pray for all in the world who are suffering from climate change
and deforestation
d) We embrace and pray for all of the world’s political and business leaders and decision makers, that they will make and implement the ecological policies necessary for the safeguarding and healing of the planet
6. Repeat Aman (or Protection) 11 times: invoking divine Sanctuary for the world.
7. Repeat Ya Shakur [Gratitude] 3 times in recognition of the abundance and blessings the earth offers us.
8. Raise the hands above the head, and gently brush the subtle energy down in front of the body. Then take a few slow breaths.
9. Saint (Mother) Teresa of Kolkata said:
‘Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.’
Take a moment in silence to reflect upon a small thing we can do with great love, now in our lives, to better safeguard the planet.
10. To close, say the Gaelic Blessing, as if to each other and the whole world:
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the Spirit of Peace to you
Ritual: 10-minutes – Another sample – Healing for natural events and religious persecution
1. Spend a little time watching the breath flow in and out.
Invite any Being of healing to be present with you during the ritual.
2. Say an invocation:
Towards the One
The Perfection of Love, Harmony and Beauty
The Spirit of Peace and Healing,
United with All.
3. Let these words of Thich Nhat Hanh rest in the breath [3 times]
[INHALE] Breathing in, I calm my body.
[EXHALE] Breathing out, I smile.
[INHALE] Dwelling in the present moment
[EXHALE] I know this is a wonderful moment.
4. Bowing practice, letting the words rest in the breath [3 times]
[EXHALE,bowing] We most humbly offer ourselves
[INHALE, rising] To be used as a channel
[HOLD in the heart] That we may be more able to serve
5. Offering five focuses for peace and healing.
After naming each focus, repeat silently Ya Shafee (or O Divine Healer) on the in-breath, and Ya Kafee (or O Divine Remedy) on the out-breath 5 times
After the five breaths, repeat out loud:
Ya Rahman Ya Rahim (or O compassionate and Merciful One) [3 times]
a) We embrace and pray for all who are suffering from the ______ [natural event] in ______ [whichever country]
b) We embrace and pray for all who are working to alleviate suffering in ______
c) We embrace and pray for all who are suffering from religious persecution in ______
d) We embrace and pray for all who are causing religious persecution in ______
e) We embrace and pray for all who are trying to build peace through mediation in _____
7. Repeat Aman (or Protection) 11 times: invoking divine Sanctuary for the world.
8. Repeat Ya Shakur 3 times in recognition of the abundance and blessings life offers us.
9. Raise the hands above the head, and gently brush the subtle energy down in front of the body. Then take a few slow breaths.
10. To close, say the Gaelic Blessing:
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the Spirit of Peace to you
COP26 10-Minute Ritual
Please practise during/after COP26 in Glasgow: 31 Oct – 12 Nov 2021
1. Spend a little time watching the breath flow in and out.
Invite any Being of healing to be present with you during the ritual.
2. Say an invocation:
Towards the One
The Perfection of Love, Harmony and Beauty
The Spirit of Peace and Healing,
United with All.
3. Becoming a channel for peace. Say the Peace Mantra:
Peace in my Heart - Peace in this Place - Peace in our Land - And throughout the World - Peace
4. Becoming a channel for healing.
Let these words by Hazrat Inayat Khan rest in the breath. [3 times]
Inhale My body, heart and soul
Exhale radiate the healing spirit of God
5. Offering four focuses for peace and healing.
After naming each focus, repeat silently Shafee (or O Divine Healer) on the in-breath, and
Kafee (or O Divine Remedy) on the out-breath 5 times
After the five breaths, repeat out loud:
Ya Rahman, Ya Rahim (or O Compassionate and Merciful One) [3 times]
a) We embrace and pray for all aspects of our being which are harming the planet
through exploitation, pollution, and insufficient care
b) We embrace and pray for all in the world who are harming the planet through
exploitation, pollution, and insufficient care
c) We embrace and pray for all in the world who are suffering from climate change
and deforestation
d) We embrace and pray for all of the world’s political and business leaders and decision
makers, that they will make and implement the ecological policies necessary for the
safeguarding and healing of the planet
6. Repeat Aman (or Protection) 11 times: invoking divine Sanctuary for the world.
7. Repeat Ya Shakur [Gratitude] 3 times in recognition of the abundance and blessings the earth offers us.
8. Raise the hands above the head, and gently brush the subtle energy down in front of the body. Then take a few slow breaths.
9. Saint (Mother) Teresa of Kolkata said:
‘Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.’
Take a moment in silence to reflect upon a small thing we can do with great love, now in our
lives, to better safeguard the planet.
10. To close, say the Gaelic Blessing, as if to each other and the whole world:
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the Spirit of Peace to you