Toward the one, the perfection of
love, harmony, and beauty,
the only being,
united with all the illuminated souls,
who form the embodiment of the master,
the spirit of guidance

This message from the Naqibs in Khankah SAM, Gina and Pablo, is being sent to residents, guests and visitors who are drawn to the magic of this beloved place with the intention to set a protocol of clear and mindful expectations for all. Please help us continue to make this protocol a living document. Any suggestions to make the next short version of it better while including ideas, concepts and details we might have missed, please share it with us.

Khankah SAM exists to serve the Sufi message of our time, expressed by the teachings and lives of Hazrat Inayat Khan and Murshid Samuel Lewis, and now by Shabda Khan, our Pir. This living transmission inspires us to be a community that works and lives together with loving kindness and compassion, and mutual and empathetic respect. We also serve as a center for welcoming guests for meals, short- and long-
term stays, classes and events.

Living in a Khankah setting invites us all to commit to work on our spiritual awakening so that we can be of service to all, beginning with our own self. This work should be done according to each one´s beliefs and practices that include Sufi and spiritual teachings and also music, dances, gardening, cleaning, etc. as well as that of other mystical traditions known and unknown to us.

There are many details as to how we operate as a spiritual community and as a family. Below are some principal guidelines and suggestions. Please take the time to read them.

Ya Fattah, Ya Shakur!
In peace, Pablo and Gina


1. Golden Rule: as a family, a sense of respect, care, kindness, and love is welcomed. Every interaction amongst us must express a sentiment of compassion and service to every Sangha member. The way we greet ourselves in the morning, or say good night, please and thank you, or acknowledge the presence of a fellow kindred spirit, and the way we share in the common areas and in duties, must all be embraced with humbleness, love and care for all fellow family members and guests.

2. Welcoming guests and visitors from near and far with open arms and hearts is one of our most important spiritual practices.

3. Diversity and inclusion: at KSAM we respect and adhere to the sweet and loving stream flowing in our lives regarding inclusion and diversity, thus we value the unique perspectives and contributions of each one and cherish the differences amongst us as sacred and nurturing.

4. Practices: all guests and residents are welcome to attend Sufi and spiritual teachings and practices, Dances of Universal Peace, music, readings and poems and other artistic forms of spiritual expression.

5. Family meetings: every week we hold a Khankah family meeting. This meeting is an essential vehicle for ideas, and suggestions. We also do a retrospective to hear areas where we can improve. In this space we can address possible projects, immediate needs, and conflict resolution. The meeting will be led by the Naqibs and is open to all residents and guests to attend.

6. Events: KSAM guests and residents are asked to take responsibility to help with events that happen in our space, such as preparing meals and cleanup, beautification of the common space, being attentive of guests’ needs and serve them all with a smile from the Heart.

7. The house: this special place has an history of its own, dating back to the early 1900s. Thus, be empathetic of its history and the way this house was build, which is evident in things like having thin floors and walls, so you can hear conversations in the upper floor if you are in the kitchen, and vice versa, as well as between rooms in the same floor. Walking in the upper floors needs to be done in a gentle format, for the benefit of all in the lower floors.

8. Our neighbors are also part of our extended community. Be respectful and mindful to all, as they have been near KSAM’s life for over 30 years.

9. Parking places in Norwich St. 63 and 65 for longtime residents will be assigned by the Naqibs. For guests and visitors, parking is on the adjacent streets, and we recommend doing it on Norwich, Harrison, Alabama and Ripley streets. And of course, don’t leave valuables in the car. Do not park in Harrison (near the back entrance of KSAM), as all the parking spots there are reserved for neighbors and KSAM permanent residents. If you need special assistance with parking, let us know in advance as we will be happy to serve you in the best possible way.

10. We have some clear NOs: no firearms or weapons of any kind on the property; no smoking of any kind when inside the facilities; wine and other soft liquors is only permitted in the kitchen or on the deck, only if allowed by the other members present at the moment; no sexual misconduct, no cussing.

11. Quiet hours: from 10pm to 8am.

12. Electricity: please be mindful of turning electricity off when you are not in need of artificial light. Also, best time of the day to use the laundry machines and dishwasher and any other electric appliances that requires extra watts, should be scheduled in times recommended by PGE and the state of California as follows: best time, 9pm to 9am; ok time, 9am to 4pm. Please don’t use electricity for the machines detailed above from 4pm to 9pm.

13. Water: clearly a scarce natural resource in California, for which we encourage all to use water mindfully as precious resource.

14. Gas: this utility is used for the room heaters, oven, and stove, and to heat water. Please used it mindfully. Be aware to turn the gas stove and oven off after use.

15. WiFi: the network for KSAM upper house 65 Norwich is ksam65 and password murshidsam. For the lower house 63 Norwich the network is ksam63 and password murshidsam.

16. The kitchen and dining area are the heart of KSAM. Please helps us keep it clean and tidy.

17. Kitchen space in pantry and fridge for guests and residents. Every guest and permanent resident will have a space for their own personal food in the refrigerator and pantry assigned previously. The refrigerator and all cabinets in the kitchen area are for the use of all. Share food always as a practice of generosity and kindness. Be mindful of keeping these spaces clean and in order.

18. Bathrooms: There are 2 ½ bathrooms in the main house. The bathroom in the kitchen area is of common use for all attending guests in potlucks and events. The full 2 bathrooms in the upper floors are for permanents residents and guest staying overnight. You will also be assigned a place in the bathroom’s shelves for your personal belongings. Please help each other keep the bathrooms clean and tidy. Bathroom supplies are in the pantry area next to the kitchen. Fresh towels are on the second floor in the closet underneath the stairs.

19. Tidy and clean: as this is your home and ours, there should be a commitment to have our private and common spaces tidy and clean for the benefit of all.

20. Garbage: we are mindful of our garbage in the kitchen where we have 2 containers, one for organic disposed food and the second for recyclables. Please help us be in tune with the community and the planet’s needs.

21. Keys: every permanent resident and guest will receive a set of keys for the kitchen and the main door of the dormitories. When you depart KSAM, please return them.

22. Hot tub: for the time being, the hot tub is only open for permanent residents and guests staying with us. Thanks for your understanding.

23. Garden: The garden is a treasure of KSAM. Please feel free to help in the garden and make yourself available to coordinate your assistance with Ann Marie Hathaway, our Garden Master.

24. Pets: we now have the company of Coco, a sweet and friendly female cat. Also, Zuly, a beautiful parrot, who visits us every week. For the time being, no more pets are allowed. Ann Marie Hathaway is Coco’s caretaker.

25. Workdays: there should be at least one and possibly two work days each month, where all of us here work in the various aspects of our home: garden, cleaning, garage storage, painting, fixing, repairing, etc. The dates are decided upon at family meetings and if you happen to be in KSAM in those days, please join us.

26. Duties: residents are welcomed to hold a concentration such as Guest Master, Events Coordinator, Teaching Master, Kitchen Master, Garden Master, Potluck Master, amongst others. These responsibilities may change when needed. Visitors are welcomed to help in the different chores.

27. Room contribution: for residents please send via PayPal your agreed monthly contribution to ksam@ruhaniat.org on the 1st of each month. Thanks. For guests, please send your contribution via PayPal to ksam@ruhaniat.org . Also checks are accepted: please make to the order of Sufi Ruhaniat International. Thanks.

28. Donations: kitchen, garden and laundry donations are fundamental for the sustainability of KSAM. Thanks for your contribution here. For residents, we suggest you donate $30 per month for Tuesday´s Potlucks on the 1st of each month. Thanks!

29. Check out: When you depart strip your beds and leave dirty towels and sheets in the laundry room. And don’t forget to return the keys.

30. Covid 19: KSAM is now accepting residents, guests and visitors into the premises regardless if they are vaccinated or not. Our aim is to help stop the spread of COVID-19 while minimizing the risks of anyone contracting or spreading COVID-19 in our beloved KSAM community. If you feel any symptoms, please let everybody in KSAM know about your situation. We will help and care for you. Of course, anybody who wishes to use masks is welcome to do so.

31. Phone numbers for current residents: Pablo 415-870-0564, Gina 415-870-0766, Ann Marie 503-799-2345, Shakur 415-404-8321, Andres 515-401-5447, Sachiko 917-581-1415, Jamil 415-368-8343. And Emergency, 911.

We wholeheartedly invite you to accompany us in our inspiration to hold Khankah SAM as a sacred space for spiritual sensibility, mindful awareness, collective wisdom, and learning to serve all sentient beings. We want you to always come back and to inspire others to come visit and stay with us while taking part in this caravan of Love, Harmony and Beauty.

May all Beings be Well.
May all Beings be Happy.
Peace, Peace, Peace!