Sufi whirling: The meditative dance of the dervish
Sufi whirling“Also known as” rotating dance “is an ancient spiritual practice, which is carried out by supporters of Sufism, a mystical current of Islam. This practice is often with the Mevlevi derwiper associated with their origin in the 13th century in today’s Türkiye. The Sufi whirling is practiced as a form of Meditation and worship and has the goal of deepening the spiritual connection with the divine.
1. The origin of the Sufi whirling
The Sufi Whirling is closely with the famous Persian poet and mystic Rumi (1207–1273) connected. Rumi founded the Mevlevi Order, a Sufi brotherhood known for her spiritual rituals. The dervishes, members of this order, developed the rotary dance as a method to get into a state of deep spiritual devotion. Turning is intended to help the dancers get rid of their ego and concentrate entirely on the connection to God.
2. The symbolism of the rotary dance
Sufi whirling is more than just a movement – it is a deep spiritual act that is supposed to reflect the cosmic dance of the universe. Turning symbolizes the movement of the planets around the sun and the cycles of life. The dervishes rotate around their own axis, while they raise their right hand to the sky to receive divine energy and show their left hand to earth to pass on this energy.
The white robe that the dervish wears symbolizes the death of the ego, and the black coat, which you put off before the start of the ceremony, symbolizes worldly worries.
3. The technique of Sufi Whirling
The Sufi whirling requires practice and discipline to find the right balance and concentration. The dancer begins by slowly turning in a circle, then the rotation becomes faster and faster while looking at a fixed area. Due to the monotonous and even rotary movement, the dervish achieves a trance state that leads it into a deep spiritual experience.
4. The spiritual meaning
For the Sufis, the whirling dance is a form of meditation and dedication. The rotation symbolizes the letting go of secular thoughts and the transition to a higher spiritual level. The movement is “turned” and dissolved through the movement, and the dervish can indulge in divine love. It is believed that the heart opens when turning and the divine energy flows through the body.
5. Today’s practice
Even today, Sufi Whirling is practiced by the wipers, especially with religious ceremonies and festivals such as the anniversary of the death of Rumi. However, it is also practiced by spiritual seekers outside of Islamic tradition who appreciate the meditative aspect of dance. In modern spiritual circles, Sufi Whirling is often seen as a technique for personal healing and internal cleaning.
6. Advantages of Sufi Whirling
In addition to its spiritual meaning, the Sufi Whirling also has positive effects on the body and the mind:
- Physical balance: The constant turning impulse trains the balance and physical control.
- Mental clarity: The repeated turns and the trance state freed the spirit of everyday thoughts.
- Emotional cleaning: Many participants report a feeling of emotional liberation and inner calm after a whirling session.
- Spiritual growth: For many practitioners, the Sufi Whirling offers the opportunity to experience a deeper connection to their higher self or the divine.
7. How to learn Sufi whirling
If you want to learn the Sufi Whirling, you can do so with experienced teachers or spiritual communities that are devoted to this practice. It requires patience to master the technique of turning and put yourself in a meditative state. While the focus is on the rotary movement, the practice is often accompanied by recitations or Sufi songs that contribute to the spiritual deepening.
Conclusion
Sufi whirling is a powerful meditative Practicethat brings body and mind into harmony. It goes beyond the purely physical movement and offers the practitioner a way to deepen their spiritual journey, let go of the ego and connect with a higher level of consciousness.