Sufism's reputation for tolerance and inclusion makes it a universal vehicle for spiritual learning and expression. Sufi practitioners can be found in all four corners of the globe and they come in many shapes and sizes.

Emanating from the Naqshbandis in central Asia, the Chistis in India and the Jerrahis in Turkey amongst many others, the message of Sufism has spread to the West, where it has been popularised through literature, poetry and music. Books by authors such as R A Nicholson, Idries Shah and Martin Lings have provided an invaluable introduction to Sufism for many western readers.

The immense body of Sufi literature and poetry, by such great mystics as Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi, Farid al-Din Attar, Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi and Omar Khayyam amongst others, has also been a magnet for western interest in Sufism.

However, all this interest would be worthless without substance. Most importantly, therefore, Sufism remains an authentic mystical tradition with a living connection to its spiritual source.

Today, Sufis of various orders congregate in many cities around the world and you will find groups of Mevlevis as far afield as Chicago, Cuernavaca, Damascus, Jakarta, Istanbul, Konya, London, Melbourne, New York, Portland, Toronto, Washington and Watsonville.