The Early Years of the Abode of the Message


In the early 1970’s the message of Sufi teacher Hazrat Inayat Khan, who came to the West from India in 1910, found a renewed resonance and began to attract more people. Inayat’s son, the late Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan was now the head of the Sufi Order. In the spirit of the times there was felt a deep longing to bring the essence of spiritual practice in daily life. A site was sought for a new community that would reflect the Univeralist Sufi values taught by Hazrat Inayat Khan. The South Family Farm, in New Lebanon New York, with its Shaker traditions was selected. The land comprised of four hundred acres with seven historical (and run down) buildings. This was the Shaker community that first began the manufacture of chairs.

The Shakers were a communal sect of people whose movement existed primarily from the late 1700's to the early 1900's. The Shaker movement in America began in 1774 when founder "Mother Ann" Lee immigrated to New York from Manchester, England, with eight followers. Equality and simplicity was one of their goals. For instance the Shaker furniture came about through a refinement of more worldly furniture to suit their need

In the spring of 1975, Sufi Order initiates came from all parts of the United States to found The Abode of the Message. Over 75 adults and twenty five children worked hard to begin restoring the farm and repairing the buildings. There were few bathrooms, no central heating and sparse outdated electrical wiring. Countless hours were put in preparing for that first winter. One year later, the community had woodworking, stained glass and sewing shops that offered handmade items for sale. A bakery and a Volkswagen repair shop were started. There was small school with three teachers and 15 students. Pir Vilayat lived in a small white house and when not traveling, he loved walking up the hill to his little round office to write and meditate.

The Abode, during its early years, like most new communities, suffered growing pains and struggles. This was tempered by the joy and growth of so many people that spent some part of their lives here. Today the Abode population is smaller, but the organic farm still tills four acres; an elementary school and a healing arts center flourish in this environment. The Conference Center on Mt. Lebanon provides space for over 200 people to gather in a magnificent hilltop forest. Pir Vilayat’s son and successor, Pir Zia Inayat-Khan resides here with his family. The Abode evolves and the work continues.