Ziraat

Ziraat is a Universal Sufi meditational practice focusing on nature and the five elements.

Pir Zia Inayat-Khan stated that a unique and compelling factor in contemporary mysticism is the current ecological crisis, which is a spiritual crisis as well as environmental, social, etc. Therefore, a spiritual response is warranted, and much of Pir Zia’s teaching focuses on acknowledging the intelligence and sacredness of the natural environment, as well as achieving states of prayerful communion therewith. For example, in his "The Holy Mysteries of the Five Elements" Pir Zia draws from the purification practices of the Chishti tradition to emphasize how embodied spiritual practice brings one into direct contact with the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether), and in seminars offers practices the contemplation of the natural world.

Relatedly, an aspect of Pir Zia’s teaching is the revitalization of Hermetic and ecological themes latent within the Chishti tradition. With Peter Lamborn Wilson, Pir Zia coined the term Green Hermeticism to refer to the ecologically-oriented revivification of Hermetic and alchemical wisdom in post-modernity. The Suluk Academy now offers a course on Green Hermeticism that includes the practical alchemical formulation of plant medicines (spagyry) in addition to the contemplative presentation of Hermetic and alchemical principles. [ See [http://www.sulukacademy.org/Green_Hermeticism.cfm Green Hermeticism] course of the [http://www.sulukacademy.org Suluk Academy] ]