SUFI

The participants were taken to a sufi resital in Akyazı, Sakarya. The night started with information given by Prof. Dr. İsmail GÜLEÇ. Prof. Güleç introduced semazen‘s clothes and gave some information about Sufism. After the introduction, the sufi show started with a few of sufi songs. After the mini audition, the semazens started their show. All the participants were affected by the performance of the semazens going on with the divine songs. Following the semazens’ performance, the lecturers and the other participants were asked what to feel about both the divine songs performed by the chorus and the semazens and sufis. The night ended with a pumpkin dessert which is a special dessert of Sakarya and which was serviced to all the participants.

Some information about Sufism and Semazens is given as follows:

Sufi whirling (or Sufi spinning) is a form of Sama or physically active meditation which originated among Sufis, and which is still practiced by the Sufist. It is a customary dance performed within the Sema, or worship ceremony, through which semazens aim to reach the source of all perfection, or kemal. This is sought through abandoning one’s nafs, egos or personal desires, by listening to the music, focusing on God, and spinning one’s body in repetitive circles, which has been seen as a symbolic imitation of planets in the Solar System orbiting the sun. As explained by Sufis
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 (tennure) represents the ego’s shroud. By removing his black cloak (hırka), 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 Jalâluddîn Rumi says, “All loves are a bridge to Divine love. Yet, those who have not had a taste of it do not know!”