About 'sema', a ceremony of spirituality
The circular dance of whirling dervishes imitates the order of the universe, and its performance is a form of religious devotion.
There is no being or object which does not revolve, because all beings are comprised of revolving electrons, protons, and neutrons in atoms. While all of these revolutions are natural and unconscious, the human being possesses a mind and an intelligence which distinguishes him or her from other beings. The whirling dervishes intentionally and consciously participate in the shared revolution of other beings. By revolving in harmony with all things in nature, the whirling dervishes testify to the existence and majesty of the Creator.
Contrary to popular belief, the Dervish or semazen's goal is not to lose consciousness or to fall into a state of ecstasy. Instead, by revolving in harmony with all things in nature -- with the smallest cells and with the stars in the firmament -- the semazen testifies to the existence and the majesty of the Creator, thinks of Him, gives thanks to Him, and prays to Him. In so doing, the semazen confirms the words of the Holly Book Qur'an (64:1): “Whatever is in the skies or on earth invokes God.”
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Sema Ritual represents the human being’s spiritual journey, an ascent by means of intelligence and love to perfection.
Turning towards 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.
In the symbolism of the Sema Ritual, The Semazen’s Camel’s hair hat, known as CeeKay, represents the tombstone of his ego; his wide, white shirt represents the ego’s shroud. By removing his black cloak, he is spiritually reborn to the truth. At the beginning of the Sema, by holding his arms cross wide, 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 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. Mevlana Jalaladdeen Rumi says, “All loves are a bridge to Divine love. Yet those who have not had a taste of it do not know.”
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