Murshida Mirabai Wolf Willow
Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
Mirabai was born and raised in the US and had the good fortune of growing up immersed in Native American culture due to her father’s work with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. As a very young child and until she left home, she was exposed to seasonal ceremonials and the stories of Indigenous elders based deeply in relationship with All Beings. From this she learned that spirituality was alive, rhythmic, moving, and beautiful. For this early learning, she is forever grateful.
Mirabai immigrated to Canada at age 20. As a young adult she was exposed to the experiential mysticism of Oscar Ichazo, which brought her into the centre of her own spirituality. Another important teacher is the non-dual master, Adyashanti. His teachings have brought her into the discipline of stillness, silence, and meditation practice, and have led to a deep appreciation for personal retreat and Khilvat.
Sufism emerged first in the form of Sufi Dances during a visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico in the early 1970s. Shortly after she attended a concert of the Sufi Choir in Vancouver, BC, which was a life-quickening experience for her. The teaching stories of Idries Shah and later the poetry of Rumi were additional Sufi influences. Eventually she found her way to the Dances of Universal Peace in Nelson, BC, where there was an active dance circle and local dance camp. Along with her life partner, Kabir McKinnon, Mirabai began leading Dances in 2005, subsequently becoming a Dance Mentor. On her way to a clowning workshop in 2007, Mirabai read The Mysticism of Sound and Music which touched her deeply and set her on the path of Sufism.
The culmination of these life experiences led naturally to a desire to be initiated into the Universalist Sufism of Hazrat Inayat Khan. Mirabai was first initiated by Murshida Darvesha in 2009 at the site of Murshid Samuel Lewis’s dargah at Lama. Since 2014 Mirabai has served as a Guide, and since 2019 as a Sheikh. Mirabai and Kabir are active in the Nelson area Sufi circle, Ruh Waliyy, holding monthly gatherings at their home. They have also been leading Zikr on the New Moon of each month since 2011. They have been instrumental in hosting a number of retreats from senior teachers within the Ruhaniat over the years to further feed the local community. They also offer Sufi Sesshins. In 2019 Mirabai had the rare opportunity to participate in a 40-day in-person retreat with Taj Inayat, a teacher of great significance to her.
Mirabai is most grateful for the stream of blessing that comes through the Ruhaniat in the form of the Silsila, Pir Shabda, Murshida Darvesha, esteemed living teachers, esoteric studies, retreats, and spiritual community, all of which have, in turn, nourished and sustained her life. She is also forever grateful for the spiritual partnership of her beloved, Kabir.
Murshida Mirabai Wolf Willow
Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
Mirabai was born and raised in the US and had the good fortune of growing up immersed in Native American culture due to her father’s work with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. As a very young child and until she left home, she was exposed to seasonal ceremonials and the stories of Indigenous elders based deeply in relationship with All Beings. From this she learned that spirituality was alive, rhythmic, moving, and beautiful. For this early learning, she is forever grateful.
Mirabai immigrated to Canada at age 20. As a young adult she was exposed to the experiential mysticism of Oscar Ichazo, which brought her into the centre of her own spirituality. Another important teacher is the non-dual master, Adyashanti. His teachings have brought her into the discipline of stillness, silence, and meditation practice, and have led to a deep appreciation for personal retreat and Khilvat.
Sufism emerged first in the form of Sufi Dances during a visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico in the early 1970s. Shortly after she attended a concert of the Sufi Choir in Vancouver, BC, which was a life-quickening experience for her. The teaching stories of Idries Shah and later the poetry of Rumi were additional Sufi influences. Eventually she found her way to the Dances of Universal Peace in Nelson, BC, where there was an active dance circle and local dance camp. Along with her life partner, Kabir McKinnon, Mirabai began leading Dances in 2005, subsequently becoming a Dance Mentor. On her way to a clowning workshop in 2007, Mirabai read The Mysticism of Sound and Music which touched her deeply and set her on the path of Sufism.
The culmination of these life experiences led naturally to a desire to be initiated into the Universalist Sufism of Hazrat Inayat Khan. Mirabai was first initiated by Murshida Darvesha in 2009 at the site of Murshid Samuel Lewis’s dargah at Lama. Since 2014 Mirabai has served as a Guide, and since 2019 as a Sheikh. Mirabai and Kabir are active in the Nelson area Sufi circle, Ruh Waliyy, holding monthly gatherings at their home. They have also been leading Zikr on the New Moon of each month since 2011. They have been instrumental in hosting a number of retreats from senior teachers within the Ruhaniat over the years to further feed the local community. They also offer Sufi Sesshins. In 2019 Mirabai had the rare opportunity to participate in a 40-day in-person retreat with Taj Inayat, a teacher of great significance to her.
Mirabai is most grateful for the stream of blessing that comes through the Ruhaniat in the form of the Silsila, Pir Shabda, Murshida Darvesha, esteemed living teachers, esoteric studies, retreats, and spiritual community, all of which have, in turn, nourished and sustained her life. She is also forever grateful for the spiritual partnership of her beloved, Kabir.