the whirling dirvishes
One of the most fascinating, colourful and uplifting experiences we
enjoy
during our Turkish Aromatic Odyssey is visiting a beautiful 13th century
Caravanserai where we witnessed Sufi holy men also called "Whirling
Dervishes", enacting the devotion of Sema which in the Sufi
religion
represents man's spiritual ascension through mind and love to reach
perfection ( Kemal ).
Sufism was created in the 13th century by the Islamic mystic Mevlana
Celaleddin-i Rumi who believed that the natural state of all things is
to
revolve, and during the Sema the devotees go through a mesmerizing
twirling
dance containing four ritual salutes each representing different stages
of
awareness.
We were privileged to experience an authentic and very moving ceremony
full
of quiet devotion to the belief that by deserting ego and turning
towards
truth and perfection with loving intent, the dancers are conveying God's
spiritual gift and embracing all of humankind and creation with
affection
and love. It was a truly amazing and moving experience.