Whirling Dervishes with a Turkish Sacred Music Concert December 14, 2012

Friday, December 14, 2012, the Whirling Dervishes of the Mevlevi Order of America will present the Sema Ceremony, honoring the great Sufi Mystic Teacher and Poet, Hz. Mevlana Jelaluddin RUMI. The Ceremony will be directed by Postneshin Jelaleddin Loras, from Konya, Turkey, founder of the Mevlevi Order of America.

Sema is a powerful ritual ceremony of music, poetry, and synchronized movement that was initiated over 700 years ago by Sultan Veled, the son of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi. The ceremony embodies the journey of the soul, weaving visual and musical elements into an experiential engagement with the Divine. The evening will feature the prayer dancing of the Whirling Dervishes. In their traditional tall felt hats and flowing white garments, turners whirl in unison, attuning to the music of the heart. Special guest musicians from Turkey will play classical and devotional Turkish music, including master musicians Timucin Cevikoglu, and Oguz Kaan Birhekimoglu, together with U.S.-based MOA Mutrip (Ensemble) from across the United States.

It has been three years since we last offered the Sema to the public here in North America - in these three years, the need for the clarity and beauty of the Sema has only increased. "Sema" can be translated as "listening" - there are no spectators as we enter into this sacred space together. We invite you to participate with us in this practice of deep listening, become filled with the energy of blessing, and create a space of healing for all of creation.

Due to the sacred nature of the event, please enjoy the ceremony in real time - recording, photos, video or cell phone use will not be permitted.

"Something opens our wings. Something makes boredom and hurt disappear. Someone fills the cup in front of us: We taste only sacredness."
-Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi

Doors open at 7:00 pm, please allow time for parking.

Official Website: http://www.hayatidede.org