Whirling rapture

Divine One. The Whirling Dervishes have perfected this form of meditation over a period of 700 years. Whirling was popularised by the Sufi poet Mevlana Jelalludin Rumi and has deep roots in the religious history of central Asian countries like Turkey and Afghanistan. The

modern Indian8217;s curiosity was piqued by of Hrithik Roshan, playing Akbar in Jodhaa Akbar, whirling in rapture, his hand raised to heaven.

In town today, to hold a lecture-cum-demonstration at the NCPA, on the practice of whirling is Sheikha Khadija Radin. The Sheikha, who has been whirling since she saw a performance by whirling dervishes in 1971, is a member of the Mevlevi Order of America. 8220;I have been teaching turning since 1978. I had been whirling for eight years when I met Postneshin Jelaluddin Loras, and began the study of the classical Mevlevi turn. Since then, I have followed the way of Mevlana. Then, in 1982, I received permission to teach Mevlevi turning by Postneshin Loras.8221;

The Sheikha, who has been featured in the book, Women Called to the Path of Rumi, The Way of the Whirling Dervish by Shakina Reinhertz, says that whirling is not entirely religious in the sense of a belief system. 8220;It is a direct experience of the ineffable,8221; she explains, 8220;One might use the turn for secular ends, but that is not the focus in Sufism.8221; Stating that this particular form of meditation is still relevant in these restive times, she continues to explain, 8220;One can experience meditation and whirling as a doorway to being present, to experience that which sees through the eyes and hears through the ears. One can find the opportunity, in every activity, to identify with that which has no residence. Prior to the notion of one8217;s self is the awakening to One Self. There is a dance in stillness and stillness in dance, both of which are complete absorption, and thus, the dissolution of a doer.8221;