This resonates. I have lived life through a veil of busyness. This helped me avoid myself. Now I have been forced to be stiller. To take time to actually think and feel. Yet my mind still whirls into the future. Anxiety reigns and I have too many ideas and plans that with never come to fruition. That might actually be a good thing. I cannot do everything after all. My body has said no, so maybe my mind needs to learn that no is actually ok.
I’d take the maybe out of that last sentence 😛 Easier said than done though I know. But when we lift those veils that hide us not only can we see more clearly but we can be seen by others x
This was not only relatable but educational! I had no idea it was an art form and also a spiritual practice, which are also one and the same. I relate completely to redefining old habits and beliefs to achieve a more peaceful second half of life. Ditto.
I like that idea that art forms and sprirutal practices can be one and the same. I’ll be pondering on that and I suspect it will reappear in a post sometime! Thank you.
Thank you for this wonderful, grounding piece! It's very timely at this time of year when expectations relating to Xmas can feel overwhelming and crippling. We need to remind ourselves that self-care is vital for our wellbeing and will enable us to have quality time with loved ones when it's right for all concerned and not because it's a particular time of year.
Thank you for this reminder that a creative life is not just a series of exhibitions opened, books published, newsletters posted, but a life of humble, daily devotion to our practice and incremental change.
The order that these dervishes are in is called the Mevlevi Order which is a certain initiatic order of Sufism that, like you say, was founded by Jalal al‐Din Rumi who is called Mevlana, “Our Lord.” I have been an initiate in a different Sufi order since I was 21 years old. While I have only had passing relations with anyone in the Mevlevi order I did have some very rudimentary training and practice in this meditation that the Mevlevis call 'turning' (rather than whirling).
One of the other techniques that you didn't mention that is interesting and critical is that in the early training, the dancer places his first and second toe of his left foot around a nail or peg in the floor. The dancer then turns his left foot around the nail as he turns his body. Soon you don't need the nail but the point is to maintain a stable point around which you left foot is turning. In the ceremony the dancers are also moving around together in a counter clockwise circle typically.
Another element is that the dancers begin their turning with their arms crossed over their chests and as they slowly begin turning they unfurl their two arms, the right behind them and the left in front as they pick up a little more speed, they then tilt their head slightly back and to the right and when the meditation is over they slowly bring their arms back to a cross over their chests. This brings the centrifugal energy back to their centers. and with the arms crossed, they bow. (This is where you would lose balance if you were going to.)
They are also chanting 'Allah' silently to themselves as they turn.
And, of course, there are a lot of symbolic meanings to every element and detail of the ritual.
Loved this, and looking forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks.
Me too … pies in hand!!
What a wonderful piece full of grounding wisdom ✨
Thank you. It’s also very grounding to have someone indicate I’m not talking through my hat! X
This resonates. I have lived life through a veil of busyness. This helped me avoid myself. Now I have been forced to be stiller. To take time to actually think and feel. Yet my mind still whirls into the future. Anxiety reigns and I have too many ideas and plans that with never come to fruition. That might actually be a good thing. I cannot do everything after all. My body has said no, so maybe my mind needs to learn that no is actually ok.
I’d take the maybe out of that last sentence 😛 Easier said than done though I know. But when we lift those veils that hide us not only can we see more clearly but we can be seen by others x
This was not only relatable but educational! I had no idea it was an art form and also a spiritual practice, which are also one and the same. I relate completely to redefining old habits and beliefs to achieve a more peaceful second half of life. Ditto.
I like that idea that art forms and sprirutal practices can be one and the same. I’ll be pondering on that and I suspect it will reappear in a post sometime! Thank you.
Thank you for this wonderful, grounding piece! It's very timely at this time of year when expectations relating to Xmas can feel overwhelming and crippling. We need to remind ourselves that self-care is vital for our wellbeing and will enable us to have quality time with loved ones when it's right for all concerned and not because it's a particular time of year.
Beautiful post! I have very early life memories of watching the whirling dervishes in the community where I was born! Thank you!
Oh lucky you! I’ve never actually seen the ceremony but it’s now on my bucket list!
YES! I was less than two, but it made an impression! <3 <3 <3 Blessings to you
Thank you for this reminder that a creative life is not just a series of exhibitions opened, books published, newsletters posted, but a life of humble, daily devotion to our practice and incremental change.
Hi Helen,
The order that these dervishes are in is called the Mevlevi Order which is a certain initiatic order of Sufism that, like you say, was founded by Jalal al‐Din Rumi who is called Mevlana, “Our Lord.” I have been an initiate in a different Sufi order since I was 21 years old. While I have only had passing relations with anyone in the Mevlevi order I did have some very rudimentary training and practice in this meditation that the Mevlevis call 'turning' (rather than whirling).
One of the other techniques that you didn't mention that is interesting and critical is that in the early training, the dancer places his first and second toe of his left foot around a nail or peg in the floor. The dancer then turns his left foot around the nail as he turns his body. Soon you don't need the nail but the point is to maintain a stable point around which you left foot is turning. In the ceremony the dancers are also moving around together in a counter clockwise circle typically.
Another element is that the dancers begin their turning with their arms crossed over their chests and as they slowly begin turning they unfurl their two arms, the right behind them and the left in front as they pick up a little more speed, they then tilt their head slightly back and to the right and when the meditation is over they slowly bring their arms back to a cross over their chests. This brings the centrifugal energy back to their centers. and with the arms crossed, they bow. (This is where you would lose balance if you were going to.)
They are also chanting 'Allah' silently to themselves as they turn.
And, of course, there are a lot of symbolic meanings to every element and detail of the ritual.