The Sema Ceremony
An illustrated description of the sequence of events in Sema, the central ritual of the Mevlevi Sufi order.
The Musicians
The musicians sit on a raised platform opposite the sheikh. The hafiz (one who has memorized the entire Qur'an) chants a prayer to Mevlana and a sura (chapter) from the Qur'an. The sound of the kudum (kettle drums) then breaks the silence. The dervishes, now [...]
The Sultan Veled Walk
An illustrated description of the sequence of events in Sema, the central ritual of the Mevlevi Sufi order.
The Selams
The musicians play as the semazenbashi approaches the sheikh; bows to him with right foot over the left and arms crossed at the shoulders; kisses the right hand of the sheikh, then steps away backwards to a position five feet from the post, in order to direct the sema. Each dervish then approaches the sheikh [...]
The Turn
All of the dervishes unfold their arms and whirl as the sheikh stands at his post, the musicians play and the chorus chants. The semazens extend their arms, right palm facing up and the left down. The energy from above enters through the right palm, passes through the visible channel of the body, then passes [...]
The End of the Ceremony
The sheikh arrives at his post, bows, sits, and kisses the floor. The semazens sit and put on their cloaks. The sheikh recites the Fatiha, the first sura of the Qur'an, then the dervishes kiss the floor and rise. The sheikh then sounds an invocation to Mevlana and Shams-i Tabriz and begins the sound "Hu." [...]
A Story about Suleyman Dede
The following is a story told on several occasions in Dede's house when visitors were present and there was much sohbet and discussion about the Way. The first part I recall as being complete [Dede] in itself as a response to some question or comment put by a European guest, and which I translated, and was referred to several times over the years. Part II I recall being told by Dede when there were Turkish dervishes or mixed company visiting, and I several years later retold the story of Part I when we were having a good time; Dede then related the story in Part II
An Interview with Suleyman Loras
Reprint of a 1976 article. From The Eye of the Heart, the newsletter of The Mevlevi Order and The Threshold Society
A Collection of Hadith on Non-Violence, Peace and Mercy
We were with the Prophet on a journey, and some men stood up repeating aloud, 'God is most great;' and the Prophet said, 'O men, be easy on yourselves and do not distress yourselves by raising your voices; truly, you do not call to one deaf or absent, but truly to one who hears and sees; and He is with you; and He to whom you pray is nearer to you than the neck of your camel.
Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad
Islam began as something strange, and it will become thus again, as it was at the beginning. Blessed, therefore, are the strangers. (He was asked who the strangers are:) The strangers are those who restore what the people have corrupted of my law, as well as those who revive what has been destroyed of it.