Spinning spirituality
Like other religious rituals that use dance, the Whirling Dervishes of the Mevlevi Order use movement as a means of becoming closer to the deity. Dervishes turn in a precise rhythm imitating the earth rotating on its axis while orbiting the sun. The purpose of the ritual turning is for the dervish to empty all distracting thoughts and to become centered.
The spinning makes for a dramatic show for onlookers. But be sure, the dervishes do not consider their movements to be entertainment. As a moving meditation, the dance reveals the unity of all spiritual experience.
'The Manifestation of Love'
An Evening of Rumi -- Whirling Dervishes Sacred DanceWhen: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow
Where: University of Hawaii at Manoa, Campus Center Ballroom
Admission: $15; $12 seniors and students; front row seats are $20
Call: Valerie Payton, 262-9061
"I can't think of a nicer way to pray," said Postneshin Jelaluddin Loras, president and director of the Mevleli Order of America. "When praying, you must have joy."
Loras, son of Suleyman Hayati Dede, was born in Konya, Turkey, the home and resting place of 13th century mystical poet and Sufi master Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi. Rumi founded the Mevlevi Order, known more commonly as the "Whirling Dervishes," who continue the spinning prayer dance that has been passed down for more than 700 years.
Dede, the sheikh of Konya, brought the Mevlevi traditions to the west in 1975, when he arrived in America and began teaching both men and women the practices of the Mevleli path.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Loras was trained in his youth in the ways of Mevlana (or Rumi). Now, he travels through Europe, the Americas and Turkey to teach the Mevlevi traditions.
"There are many hundreds of ways to pray to God. We spin in attunement of the universe ... in the beautiful name of God to bring peace, openness, and understanding," he said. "Both men and women join together their hands with love."
KIM AND Valerie Payton started working with Loras more than 25 years ago, having attended the Gurdjieff Center at Claymont in West Virginia to begin their studies, which have led to a greater sense of peace and connection to the cosmos.
"Rumi's poems are incredible," she said, adding that modern translations have caused increasing numbers of people to become familiar with Rumi's work.
"The Whirling Dervishes were always fascinating to me," said Kim, who said he felt a great presence when he met Suleyman Hayati Dede. "Just being in his presence changed how you felt. He had an aura of incredible peace around him. That is what moved me most."
Kim has found the practices powerful, noting that moving meditation helps individuals in self-discovery. "I was too restless to sit and meditate," he said, adding the practices also require flexibility. "Otherwise, we get set in our ways," he said.
One of the strongest elements of the Mevlevi way is hospitality. "In 1999, we went to Turkey and stayed at Jalal's (Loras) house," Kim said. While there, the couple was also able to visit the museum housing Rumi's tomb. "It was a remarkable experience," Kim said.
COURTESY OF EVAN TECTOR
Valerie Payton and her husband, Kim, began studying the Mevlevi traditions more than 25 years ago. Valerie says turning isn't as easy as people think. "When people start to turn, the body objects," Valerie said. "Some people feel dizzy or sick to their stomachs. You don't want to be wobbling, it is not like a waltz. ... It takes a while and a lot of practice."
MOST CHILDREN raised the Mevlevi way don't learn "to turn" until they reach the age of 13. But, they are able to observe the practices and attend gatherings in various homes.
"Young children learn by example and pick up everything that we do. They are like sponges. We really need a practice that we do every day ... if it is possible to build peace in our lives," said Kim.
Turning is not as easy as it may appear, said Valerie. "When people start to turn, the body objects. Some people feel dizzy or sick to their stomachs. You don't want to be wobbling, it is not like a waltz."
Once the discomfort subsides, the results are rewarding. "It takes a while and a lot of practice. It is like the force on a merry-go-round. But, it's a natural way to be centered in the heart. Everything in the universe is a doorway to so much more," she said.
"Turning" toward the truth allows love to grow, let's one desert their ego and find truth. Then a person has the capability to love and be of service to all creatures without discrimination of belief systems, races, classes and nations, she explained.
ABOUT 12 local practitioners will be a part of tomorrow's performance. Everyone is required to attend a four-day camp to practice and perfect their movements. The first part of the program features inspirational turning, in which colorful skirts and scarves are worn, according to Maile Rietow. The second part presents a more traditional form of Sema that is practiced in Turkey today, with performers clothed in traditional tall felt hats and brilliant white garments. In addition to turning, Rietow and Dan Furst will recite Rumi poetry.
"Our traditional garbs have symbolical meaning to remind us -- as practitioners -- of our intention," explained Rietow. "The sikke, or the tall hat, we wear represent a tombstone. Our black hurkas (robes) represent our grave. From there, each soul will journey to its originator," she said.
The tennure, with its long white skirt, represents the death shroud and the soul's purity flying into the arms of the beloved. Our belts (Alif lamed) are reminders of Alif, the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, which is a vertical line representing the connection between the earth and the divine, she added. "There are many symbols and reminders in the tradition we practice, and many levels of experience to the particulars of this form."
Ceremonial Turkish music adds a mystical allure to the proceedings. "Turkish music has hundreds of scales. It strikes a chord in the heart and soul," she said. "(Turning) represents how the universe whirls ... the atoms, the galaxies," said Rietow. "You don't just sit there and watch. The audience is drawn in during the process."
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