A Sacred Ritual To Touch The Divine
The divine may be experienced through a variety of means. In various global spiritual traditions, these include prayer, meditation on sacred texts, participation in religious ceremonies, and going on pilgrimages. There are other means of achieving a religious experience that are perhaps not so common in the Western world. One of these is through the medium of dance, with one of the most famous examples being the incredible whirling dervish dance, called the Sema, practiced by the Sufi Mevlevi Order.
What Are Whirling Dervishes?
Dervish, the Persian word for doorsill refers to a person on the threshold of enlightenment. The Dervishes believe that through a revolving or whirling movement they can leave this world behind and enter God’s presence. The whirling experience is a foretaste of the eternity of oneness that awaits the man or woman who lives righteously in this world. ( CNEWA )
A Brief History of Dervishes
The Mevlevi Order was founded by the followers of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi-Rumi (popularly referred to as Rumi) in 1273. Rumi was a 13th century Islamic spiritual leader who was born in 1207 in Balkh in present day Afghanistan. With the onset of the Mongol invasion of Central Asia between 1215 and 1220, Rumi’s family journeyed westwards, eventually settling down in Konya, Anatolia, in present day Turkey.
One of Rumi’s most fruitful friendships was with Shams-e Tabrizi, whom he met at the age of 37. Among other things, Shams introduced Rumi to music, poetry, and dance as a mystical way of connecting with the divine. It is these artistic expressions that are the characteristic features of the whirling dervishes of the Mevlevi Order, which was founded after Rumi’s death by his son, Sultan Veled, his disciple Çelebi Hüsamettin, and his grandson Ulu Arif Çelebi. (AON)
Dervish Symbolism
Originally, the Semahane Ceremony was a weekly remembrance of God, a ritual practiced by each Mevlevi tekke community where everyone was present, including Mevlevi musicians, women, and non-resident dervishes who chanted the Mevlevi ‘zikr,’ or prayer, silently in their hearts. As for the symbolism of the Sema ritual itself, the semazen camel’s hair hat (called a sikke) represents a tombstone of the ego, while the white skirt (called a tenure) is the shroud of the ego. When the dervish takes off his black cloak, he is meant to be spiritually reborn to the truth. At the beginning of the ceremony the dervish holds his arms crosswise to represent the number one, testifying God’s unity.
While whirling, the dervish’s arms are open with his right hand directed to the sky, representing his readiness to receive God’s beneficence. The dervish’s left hand is turning toward the earth, representing his willingness to convey God’s spiritual gift to those witnessing the Sema. It is also believed that while revolving from right to left around his own heart, the dervish embraces all humanity with love, since Sufis believe that the human being was created with love to love. A quote by Rumi states that, ‘All loves are a bridge to Divine love. Yet, those who have not had a taste of it do not know.’ (TCT)
A trip to Turkey isn't complete without observing a ceremony called Sema, the highlight of which are the whirling dervishes. The dervishes — dancers — spin with their arms raised, some for hours at a time, to reach a trance-like state of mind called Sufism, which History Daily describes as "a state of inner power and peace that allows the person to feel a deep love and connection to the rest of the world.
Mind and Body Fitness Connections Has Partnered With Ecstatic Dance OKC
Dancing can help transform the mind, body, and soul!
Ecstatic dance has been practiced since the dawn of time. Ecstatic dance and rhythmic drumming was used to change consciousness in spiritual rituals in the ancient and widespread tradition of shamanism.
Ecstatic Dance is a freeform movement journey facilitated by a professional DJ and performed in a safe and sacred environment. It's a place where participants can be themselves while still being linked to something bigger.
At Ecstatic Dance OKC Whirling is one of many types of dance we incorporate. We believe in unity and include all cultures and styles of dance including, Native American tribal dance, Latin Dance, Belly Dance, Hip Hop and so much more!
Our purpose is to grow a community of healthy, empowered people.
Through music and dance, we believe everyone can discover, unleash, and enhance their individual potential to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. By engaging our senses and listening to our bodies, we connect to others and shape a consciousness that extends beyond our own.
We join together in the simple and courageous act of freeform dance. We co-create movement, music and community. To keep up with our monthly events which are typically held on the third Friday of each month, join our facebook group
Wellness Coach and Qigong Instructor Gwyn Davis also teaches Zen Qigong, Zen Renew, and Zen Align classes which focus on Qigong form, breathing techniques, spinal alignment and balance to help achieve clarity and connection of mind, body, and spirit. The classes are offered in-person and online. Learn more about movement classes.
