Why
Do those Whirling Dervishes “Whirl”?
(The 3-Minute Weekly Insight
from Spirituality U.)
You might have heard someone described as moving
so fast that they were spinning like a Whirling Dervish. Well, Dervishes don’t
spin. In fact, I don’t think they Whirl. I think they “swirl.” (More about that
later.)
Whirling Dervishes are members of a special Muslim
group who are performing something that might be termed a ritual dance. Their attire is very
striking: a long white gown (symbol of death) a tall brown stove-pipe-shaped hat
(symbolizing a grave stone), and a floor-length black cape (representing a
grave). Their outfits might sound grim, but the ritual they perform is
beautiful, joyful, and emotionally uplifting.
The Whirling Dervishes are Sufis, members of a unique
group of Muslims who are mystical in their beliefs and practices. Sufis are
very generous to those around them and deeply emotional in their devotional
practice. They are mystical in that their religious goal is, in some sense, to
leave earthly existence behind and become one with God (Allah). Their devotion
is sometimes so intense that they almost seem to be in love with God. Some Sufi
poets write poems that at first glance could be thought of as romantic love
poems.
One of the greatest of these writers was the 13th
Century poet, Rumi, who is currently the best selling poet in the US!). The
birth of the Dervish order is tied to something this great poet did eight
centuries ago.
In one story the Dervish dance was born as Rumi
heard goldsmiths pounding out their precious metal in a rhythm that suggested
the chanting of “There is no god but God.”In another tale (which I think is
better), Rumi learns that his dearest friend has disappeared. He then puts his
left hand on a pillar and begins to circle it, all the while reciting thousands
upon thousands of lines of poetry that he is composing on the spot.
The Dervishes (said to be of the Mevlevi Order)
build their ritual on this poet’s expression. And they begin to move in rhythmic
motion.
Their motion isn’t at all like whirling (which
suggests a spinning top). It is more like a flower opening in sunlight. Or
perhaps the moon revolving around the sun.
Their ritual (called the Sema Ceremony) has four parts. It begins with chanting and flute
music. Then the Dervishes bow to each other (acknowledging the Divinity in every
person). Soon they begin to circumambulate the room with slow steps. After a
while they lose their black capes. Then they begin the swirling motion, rotating
on their left feet, raising their arms outward, right palms open and turned
toward heaven, left hands pointing down to earth. The ceremony concludes with
recitation of verses from the Qur’an and a prayer by the leader of the
Dervishes.
The entire ritual lasts about an hour and comprises
“Four Salaams.” These include 1) recognition of God; 2) understanding the unity
of the Divine; 3) the ecstasy that comes from total surrender to God; and,
finally, 4) the peace that comes from unity with the Eternal One.
To view a video of the Whirling Dervish Sema
Ceremony visit:
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