THE WHIRLING DERVISH CEREMONY

 

The Sema (Whirling Dervish)  ritual began with the inspiration of Mevlâna Celâlettin Rumi (1207-1273) and was influenced by Turkish customs and culture.
It is scientifically recognized that the fundamental condition of our existence is to revolve. There is no being or object which does not revolve, because all beings are comprised of revolving electrons, protons, and neutrons in atoms. Everything revolves, and the human being lives by means of the revolution of these particles, by the revolution of the blood in his body, and by the revolution of the stages of his life, by his coming from the earth and his returning to it.
An important characteristic of this seven-centuries-old ritual is that it unites the three fundamental components of human nature: the mind (as knowledge and thought), the heart (through the expression of feelings, poetry and music) and the body (by activating life, by the turning). These three elements are thoroughly joined both in theory and in practice as perhaps in no other ritual or system of thought.
The Sema ceremony represents the human being's spiritual journey, an ascent by means of intelligence and love to Perfection (Kemal). Turning towards the truth, he grows through love, transcends the ego, meets the truth, and arrives at Perfection. Then he returns from this spiritual journey as one who has reached maturity and completion, able to love and serve the whole of creation and all creatures without discriminating in regard to belief, class, or race.
In the symbolism of the Sema ritual, the semazen's camel's hair hat (sikke) represents the tombstone of the ego; his wide, white skirt represents the ego's shroud. By removing his black cloak, he is spiritually reborn to the truth. At the beginning of the Sema, by holding his arms crosswise, the semazen appears to represent the number one, thus testifying to God's unity. While whirling, his arms are open: his right arm is directed to the sky, ready to receive God's beneficence; his left hand, upon which his eyes are fastened, is turned toward the earth. The semazen conveys God's spiritual gift to those who are witnessing the Sema. Revolving from right to left around the heart, the semazen embraces all humanity with love. The human being has been created with love in order to love. Mevlâna Celâlettin Rumi says, "All loves are a bridge to Divine love. Yet, those who have not had a taste of it do not know!"
The ceremony takes place in Saruhan Caravanserai which is one of the ancient hotels built on the silk road, the important trade road between Europe  and China,  by Seljuks. The building itself is dated back to 1249.

Whirling Dervish Ceremony starts at 21:30, the pick up from the hotel is at 21:00. The whole ceremony takes about 1 hour so you will be back to your hotel at about 22:45 after the ceremony.

The rate of the ceremony is 25 Euro per person including the round trip transfers.

 

Please send  us an e-mail ( info@reliabletour.com)  for further information and booking

 

 

    
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