In re: whirling dervishes-some background

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

This is in the lounge because it isn't political, but telling a bit about the dervishes and their practice. I read the fine article about the spinning right wing when it was a post here, and almost wrote then, but felt it was out of place. Since the article is on the home page, I feel the need for some explanation of the dervishes and their practice.

The Mevlevis are the Sufi order which practice the turn, which is what is referred to as "whirling" in the article. It is a practice that takes years to learn. I have had the honor of meeting the head of the American Mevlevi Order, Jelallaldin Laurus, who gave a workshop about the turn, to give people a small taste of what it is about.

It is more than spinning onesself into ecstacy. It involves helping others reach that plane as well. The costumes worn have symbology-the hat, the cloak, the white clothes. The ceremony is called the Sema, and it is usually done at the Urs (day of death) of Jelaladin Rumi, the famous poet and founder of the Mevlevi Order.

There will be Semas this December in the US. If you have a chance to go, I would recommend it.

Here's the Mevelvi Order's website:

http://www.hayatidede.org/

[SoCalDem]

1. They are not dervishes, but

doesn't this old pic have a dervish-esque quality to it ? :)

[Englander]

2. Whirl in motion...