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Dance Your Way To the Heavens
from Issue #10 June 2004
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If we sit down and seriously think about life on earth, we may come to the conclusion that the fundamental theory of life is to revolve. In fact we could indeed class it as a condition of life, as all beings comprise of revolving electrons, protons, and neutrons in atoms. Blood moves and revolves within our bodies. We could even go further to say, that the Universe is based on this principal also. The earth and other planets revolve around the sun. The sun rotates and revolves around the Milky Way. The Milky Way revolves with a group of galaxies called the local group. This leads to the eternal question, “From where did the Universe evolve?”
The Whirling Dervish, an Islamic cultural group that originated in Turkey, believes in existing in harmony with all things in nature. To accomplish this, one must exist in synchronicity with the earth. That is, to rotate as all things in the Universe do. This action testifies to the existence and to the majesty of the Creator.
The semazen is an incredible whirling dance that compliments the nature of the Universe and gives thanks and praise to Allah. In this dance he whirls around in the dance of Dervish, confirming the words of the Qu’ran as he turns.
The revolutions I spoke about earlier are natural and unconscious, but being human we possess an intelligence that distinguishes us from other beings. Thus, the Whirling Dervish consciously participate in the shared revolution of other beings. It is not the semazen’s goal to lose consciousness as he turns or to fall into a state of ecstasy. If you are going to practice any of the steps of the Whirling Dervish then it is recommended to do so with sobriety! The dance involves turning around and around to testify to the, semazen’s Lord. This dance is called the, “Sema Ritual”.
The Sema ceremony represents the human being's spiritual journey, an ascent by means of intelligence and love to Perfection. Turning toward 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.
I think this dance could be an incredible learning opportunity for us all, as we try to achieve the humility, peace and love our souls require for perfection, one-ness and inner peace.
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