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Who was Ostad Elahi?

A thinker, jurist, author, and musician, Ostad Elahi (1895-1974) remained largely unknown to the general public during his lifetime, notwithstanding the publication of several philosophical and metaphysical treatises in his later years. Following the introduction of his life and works on the occasion of his centenary in 1995, however, the simplicity and universality of his teachings have inspired and resonated within individuals from all backgrounds in search of a greater meaning and purpose to life.

Born at the turn of the 20th century in northwestern Iran, Ostad Elahi devoted the whole of his youth to ascetic practices under the supervision of his father, a well-known figure in the region with a considerable following. At the end of this period, he reached the conclusion that the process of spiritual maturation should no longer take place in ascetic seclusion, but rather in the midst of society where the trials of daily life provide a more suitable environment to test the strength of one’s character and convictions.

Leaving behind an age-old heritage and his status within it, Ostad Elahi thus chose a life of anonymity, cutting his long hair and beard and eventually settling in the capital city where he entered a nascent government bureaucracy. After working as an entry-level clerk for several years, he enrolled in the newly formed National School of Jurisprudence and became a magistrate, embarking on a lengthy judicial career that culminated as Chief Justice of the National Court of Appeals.

Having devoted the better part of his life to reconciling and adapting the inner longing and quest for transcendence with a natural and productive life in society, Ostad Elahi authored several books after his retirement on the basis of his personal observations, experiences, and ongoing research. His work sought to extract and synthesize the quintessence of all faiths, and to set forth the universal stages of the process of spiritual perfection for all human beings.      

Ostad Elahi passed away on October 19, 1974 at the age of seventy-nine. For a complete account of his life, work, and philosophy, visit www.ostadelahi.com.