Rising Tide was born from the teachings and inspirations of the early 20th century mystic Hazrat Inayat Khan, who came to the West in 1910 offering a vision of the unity of religions, the need for tolerance and kindness, and a path for inner awakening. He founded the Sufi Order International (currently known as the Inayatiyya), which upholds his teachings today. After his death, the mantle of the Sufi message was taken up by his son and successor Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, Murshid Samuel Lewis, and others who continued the tradition of a Universal Sufism. Rising Tide maintains a deep connection to Inayatiyya and honors all organizations representing the broadest and most universal practice of Sufism.