Whirling Worship

Last night I saw my third dervish ceremony, or sema. Of the three I've seen this was the most moving and most authentic. My limited knowledge of Sufi tradition disqualifies me as any sort of expert; the evening simply felt more real. My small group joined a small collection of visitors allowed to observe the worship service of a vibrant congregation.
We came in after the 9 PM prayers to hear the worshipers sing to traditional music. They had the words and musical score projected for the group to see! Eventually the group of seven dervishes entered with their two masters. They spun to the strains of the congregation who moved through songs and enthusiastic chants in praise of Allah and the love of Allah. We were not allowed to video or photograph but I found a clip that has some similarities to what we saw.

I enjoyed the first sema for several reasons, most especially because the first group is the only one in Turkey to include women. According to our friend Hakan, the master of this group believes that before God there is no difference between men and women. Three or four years ago this master gave several women permission to practice spinning. After three months he would determine if any were capable. They were. This is that group in an outdoor setting.

The conical hat worn by the dances represents a tomb stone, signifying the death of their ego. Their black cloak represents the earth and earthly life which they drop before they begin to spin. Their white clothes (and for the women, colorful dress) represent either their second or spiritual life or the shroud to bury the ego. The dervishes begin with their arms crossed high on the chest, hands resting on the shoulders, head tipped slightly to the right. This posture represents the first letter in Allah: the Alif (or Elif). As they start to spin their arms lower, still crossed over the chest to resemble the letter/word Hu, that represents a number of things including all the names of God. They continue to move their arms so that the right hand reaches to God allowing divine energy to enter the heart. This energy is so powerful they must let it pass through them to humanity through the down-turned left hand. They spin in an ecstatic state of love for God. I find several aspects of Sufi worship very appealing.