Laurence Galian

Sufi background

Laurence Galian embraced Islam in 1980 taking the Islamic name "Abdullah". Galian "took hand" (Bai'at) with Grand Sheikh Muzafferuddin "Ashki" Ozak al-Halveti al-Jerrahi in 1981. Galian continued his studies with Sheikh Tosun Bayrak al-Jerrahi al-Halveti, Sheikh Nur al-Anwar al-Jerrahi (Lex Hixon), and Sheikh Salik Schwartz al-Jerrahi al-Halveti, at the Halveti-Jerrahi tekke (Spring Valley, New York) and the Masjid al-Farah (New York, New York). Galian traveled several times to the Halveti-Jerrahi tekke in Istanbul, Turkey. He subsequently studied with Sheikh Mansur al-Jerrahi al-Halveti (from Greece and Australia) in the 1990s. Laurence renewed his "hand" (also known as "Bai'at") in the Halveti-Jerrahi Order with Grand Sheikh Sayyid Safer Dal Efendi in 1996. Galian was bestowed the additional name "Muzaffer" by Haydar Baba of the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Sufi Order, in honor of the memory of Sheikh Muzafferuddin "Ashki" Ozak.

On September 18, 2003, he reestablished his connection with Hazreti Pir Muhammad Nureddin Jerrahi (the founder of the Jerrahi Order - born in Istanbul in 1678 C.E.) by renewing his hand with Shaykha Fariha al-Jerrahi, the lineage bearer in the Americas (with the help of Shaykha Amina and the khalifas and circle leaders of the Order). From 2005 - 2009 Laurence Galian served as the "Friend" (leader) of the Nur Ashki Jerrahi St. Louis Circle. In December 2009 he and his wife moved to Mexico City, Mexico.

A chapter of the book American Sufis; Muhammad Ali, Nooruddeen Durkee, Ellen Burstyn, Stephen Schwartz, Daniel Moore, Hossein Nasr, Zia Inayat Khan, Huston Smith is devoted to Laurence Galian.

Initiations

Laurence Galian is a 3rd Degree Master Mason (Mariner's Lodge No. 67). He is an Initiated Wiccan Priest of the Welsh Tradition and holds the title of Seanachie from the Temple of Danaan.

Spiritual teaching background

Laurence Galian has lectured widely all over the world on a variety of spiritual topics. For many years, he served on the faculty of the Hofstra University College of Continuing Education (Hempstead, New York) where he presented lectures on Wicca, Celtic Mythology, Sufism, and Ceremonial Magick. He lectured at the Eyes of Learning (Hicksville, New York) for many years. During the 1990s, Laurence Galian was a frequent presenter at the Starwood Festival, as well as many other Neo-Pagan gatherings across the United States. While visiting Baku, Azerbaijan, he was invited to give a presentation to a metaphysical study group in that city.

Musical background

Laurence Galian began his classical piano studies at the age of six with James Gerard DeMartini (Music Professor at the Brooklyn College of Music and noted Abstract Artist). He continued his musical studies at Hofstra University, the University of South Florida, and IRCAM in Paris. Galian served for 21 years as the Senior Dance Accompanist in the Hofstra University Department of Drama & Dance, and is a piano dance accompanist and composer at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA), Dance St.Louis, and the Caston Ballet, in Saint Louis, Missouri, and was listed in the 1999 International Who's Who In Music. He is listed in the Stern's performing arts directory, Volume 42. In 2006, Laurence Galian played piano for the 2006 USA International Ballet Competition, held in Jackson, Mississippi. He is also a private piano instructor.