Filmed June 2007 in Istanbul, Turkey in Beyoglu close to Taksim (map). Produced by Sublime Dezine Studio, Boulder, CO. 3:43 mins. Camera: Canon GL2. Sufi SEMA, considered by many as a religious practice, it is not endorsed or suggested as such here, but rather presented as a meditation and inquiry into the nature of conscious transformation.
This is the whirling meditation made famous by the spiritual innovator, poet, and teacher Mevlâna Jalâluddîn Rumi. An in depth biographical data can be seen here.
Rumi is said to have simply whirled for 36 hours non stop. Before him it was not considered a spiritual activity. Why he did it is unknown to this writer, and interestingly, is not mentioned by any sources of authority I have come across on the subject. Was he aware of the consequences of his action? No one seems to know. At the end of 36 hours, Rumi is said to have fallen on the ground not only in exhaustion, but also spiritual ecstasy and awakening. He then became one of the most known teachers of his time, and in all time. Mevlana, his name given by his followers, means the beloved.
Since then the tradition has grown up around this striking practice. Each part of the ceremony is now symbolic. The dervish's headdress stands for his ego's tombstone, his white skirt is his ego's shroud. As he removes his black cloak he is spiritually born to the truth. At the onset and each stop of the Sema (there are six stages), holding his arms crosswise he represents the number one, and testifies to God's unity. While whirling his arms are open, his right hand up towards the sky, ready to receive divine energy, looking to his left hand turned toward the earth, he whirls from right to left around the heart. Revolving around the heart, from right to left, he embraces all the mankind, and becomes an invitation for all to embrace the divine. It starts with an eulogy "Nat-I Serif" to the Prophet, who represents love, and all Prophets before him. To praise them is praising Love.
Find in depth description of the practice of SEMA, or sufi whirling dervish meditation by clicking here. Filmed on location by Sublime Dezine Studio, Boulder, Denver, CO, USA.
More links:
• The Life and Spiritual Milieu of Mevlâna Jalâluddîn Rumi
• Sema Ceremony of the Whirling Dervishes (video)
• History of Whirling Dervishes