The amazing Sufi poet called Rumi once said that “Love cannot be described. It must be tasted”. He said these words over 700 years ago, yet people still spend time and energy searching for the perfect definition of love. Better questions to ask would be…
Do you believe that simple sentences or actions can evoke overwhelming emotions?
Do you believe that a greater understanding of other cultures and beliefs is a necessity?
Do you believe that by consciously improving our knowledge, we can achieve inner peace?
My answers to all the above questions are “yes” and that is, why I was interested to find out more about the Sufi Mystic experience in Turkey introduced to me by popular blogger Jools Stone. The ten day event is organized by the same people who run the “Monk for a Month” program in Thailand.
Everyone attending a Sufi Mystic experience will be taking a conscious action to improve their knowledge, learn about another branch of Turkish culture and to further understand the complex emotions that the human body so often experiences.
Before I go on to describe what the Ten Day Sufi Mystic experience is, I am going to assume that some people are not aware of Sufism and the great words of the poet Rumi so here is a quick intro…
What is Sufism?
Sufism is existent in several continents. It is the belief that a person does not have to wait for the afterlife to be closer to god. They can achieve a state of inner peace, kindness and generosity in order to bring them closer to god in this life.
If you have ever seen the whirling dervishes of Turkey when they are spinning around in circles, then that is your first introduction. Each one of the whirling dervishes practices Sufism and is also called a Sufi. It is considered a mystical transformation and in Turkey; it is a great introduction to Anatolian mysticism.
(Mosque and Museum of Whirling dervishes in Konya – Photo from Flickr)
Who was Rumi?
Picture of Rumi Portrayed in a Book- Image by Georges Jansoone
In present days, he has achieved celebrity status as millions of people know him by his first name only. He is classed as one of the best-selling poets of our times, which is quite an honor considering he lived in the 13th century.
To quote UNESCO “Rumi is one of the great humanists, philosophers and poets who belong to humanity in its entirety”
Famous quotes by Rumi include…
“People of the world don’t look at themselves, and so they blame one another”
“Remember, the entrance door to the sanctuary is inside you”
“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it”
After the death of Rumi, followers in Turkey formed the Mevlani branch of Sufism otherwise known as the whirling dervishes of Konya.
The performance in which they whirl around to achieve inner peace are popular with tourists however very few people get to learn of their beliefs and origins. This is all set to change with the Sufi Mystic experience
The Whirling Dervishes of Konya
The Sufi Mystic Experience – Interview with creator of the program, Irish-Australian Ben Bowler
1 – Hi Ben. Tell me more about yourself and why you created the Sufi Mystic Experience
Well, I am the creator of the World Weavers organization which is a cultural and social enterprise active in Europe and Asia. Our motto is “One World One Family”.
We are most well-known throughout Asia for our renowned ‘Monk for a Month’ temple-stay, which is a Buddhist immersion program in Thailand that has been active since 2008.
On January the 22nd 2012, we will be running the first Sufi mystic experience in Turkey which will be based in the locations of Istanbul and Konya. We are nearly fully booked up, so are actively organizing other dates further in the year.
2 – Tell me more about the Sufi Mystical experience. How will people be introduced to the works of Rumi and Sufism?
The purpose of the Sufi Mystic program is to offer people an authentic experience of Sufi mysticism as practiced by devotees across the Anatolia region of Turkey.
“It isn’t about religious conversion but rather an aim to foster greater understanding between faiths and building those human bridges of friendship and sympathetic affection which can lead us to peace. It will be a personal spiritual experience, inspired by Rumi and guided by modern day Sufi masters”
3 – What is the general itinerary for the experience?
Guests will live among local Sufi Muslims and stay at a historical 400-year-old Sufi lodge. They will join church and synagogue services, watch the whirling dervishes in action and also visit the tomb of the world-famous poet Rumi. To break up the itinerary, we have also included sightseeing tours of famous historical attractions such as the Topkapi palace and Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
4 – How can people find out more about the Sufi Mystic Experience and also your organization?
All details are on the Sufi Mystical Experience website or people can contact me personally on [email protected] or [email protected]
5 – Any plans for the future?
Yes Natalie. Watch this space for the Christian and Sikh cultural programs!
All Cultural Programs by The Blood Foundation Organisation
Monk For a Month - Ever thought about exploring Buddhism?
Sufi Mystic Experience – Personal spiritual development and time for reflection
Muslim for a month – Delving into the world of Islam
Natalie, I love your blog because it continues to teach me new and wonderful things. I knew only a little about Sufism and this piqued my interest even more. I’m so glad you went beyond the tourist view of things and really explored the deeper reasons behind the traditions. Thank you!
Dayna recently wrote about..2011 Travel Resolutions… Resolved
You are welcome Dayna. Glad you enjoyed the article. I always like to explore more about anything as I think it adds to the overall experience
Natalie recently wrote about..The Flawless Ruins of Ancient Myra
Many thanks for the kind mention Natalie. I’m very pleased to see that you’ve spoken to Ben and featured this interesting project in such an accessible way. Happy New Year!
Jools Stone recently wrote about..Walking around Winnipeg, could it #Win me over?
Thanks for introducing Ben to me Jools. Happy new year to you as well
Natalie recently wrote about..Santa Claus and His Life in Turkey : Six Facts You Never Knew
. . for me, Sufism has one great advantage over most other cults – it is benign!
Interesting post.
Alan recently wrote about..Free Heart and Lung Therapy
I would not call Sufism a cult Alan as these days, the word cult seems to have changed emphasis to a bad meaning. Most people connect cults with the mass suicide and losing all your money!
I do agree however that it is benign
Natalie recently wrote about..Delicious Vegetarian Food in Turkey
Natalie, Sufism sounds like an amazing journey to continued awareness and the ever long battle with ego. To let go and be one with the world is the ultimate. Thank you for writing these wonderful posts!
Lisa recently wrote about..THE PERKS OF BECOMING A VETERINARIAN
Hi Lisa, You are welcome. As I researched it more, the aim of Sufism became more appealing and I have always been a fan of Rumi anyway. I was planning to do my next tour of the Black sea however might swap now and do this instead. The only thing that sticks in my mind is for the whirling dervishes to spin round and round without getting dizzy must take years of practise!
Natalie recently wrote about..Patara-Four Reasons Why I Will Not Go Back
I’d love to see the whirling dervishes.
santafetraveler recently wrote about..My favorite 2011 Photo of the Week
I have always been interested in the history, cultural & religious traditions of this region and am always glad when I see others who embrace them and attempt to share them with westerners who often misunderstand them.
I work with Tibetan exile communities in India & Nepal and am sharing my discoveries about Buddhism & their cultural traditions!
Your other programs look great, too!
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Hi Tammy, I think any region in the world, once you delve into their cultures, history and religion, it can be quite enlightening. So many people see the whirling dervishes as a tourist experience however they hardly get to learn about why they do what they do.
I am sure you are enjoying working with the Tibetans as well. I have always wanted to delve more into their world as well.
Natalie recently wrote about..A Guide to Tasty Turkish Street Food
this is the first time ive ever heard about Sufism but i would like to know more about it
i have seen the dancers in Turkey and in Egypt but
i didnt know the meaning behind it
im glad you,ve done this posting Natalie its given me
something to think about
Glad you enjoyed it Di. There is plenty of reading material out there as well. Of course, if I manage to make it to Konya this year then I will show my pictures later
Natalie recently wrote about..Mount Tahtali – To the Sky in a Cable Car
Wow, this would be an amazing experience. Soo very tempting! I’d definitely try it out
cheryl recently wrote about..Weird And Offbeat Museums: The Katten Kabinet in Amsterdam.
I am going to sort out my finances Cheryl and then make a big choice between my planned tour of the Black sea or this one.
Natalie recently wrote about..Photo – Isn’t Our Earth Amazing?
I’m embarrassed to say I had no idea that the whirling dervishes are Sufis.
Abby recently wrote about..What a difference a year makes
Don’t be embarrassed Abby. A lot of people don’t know because they just see the performances but don’t know the background. Some more reading from Wikipedia here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dervish
Natalie recently wrote about..Patara-Four Reasons Why I Will Not Go Back
These are *exactly* the kinds of experiences I’d love to do! Wow! Definitely going to have to investigate further and put these on the list. Thanks for sharing this on SU – stumbling it now
lara dunston recently wrote about..Cooking with Poo – A Walking Tour of Klong Toey Markets
You are welcome Lara- definitely not your average beach holiday is it!
Natalie recently wrote about..The Flawless Ruins of Ancient Myra
Looks very interesting – not sure if this would be for me but for those looking for a spiritual experience it would be fascinating.
Andrea recently wrote about..9 Lessons From Our 2011 Travels
I don’t think it is for everyone Andrea but for those looking for something out of the ordinary then it would be great. I am not very religious however considering putting my name down further in the year.
Natalie recently wrote about..Santa Claus and His Life in Turkey : Six Facts You Never Knew
Natalie – So glad to have found your site. I have never been to Turkey – your posts have offered me views of an extraordinary region of the world.
Over the years I have hear of Sufism but never really paid attention to it. Thank you for opening my eyes to the poet Rumi.
You are welcome Nina. The words of Rumi are truly enlightening, considering that he lived over 800 years ago. The whirling dervishes certainly made sure his character lived on. His body is laid to rest in Konya which is the home of the dervishes.
Natalie recently wrote about..Delicious Vegetarian Food in Turkey
I love the idea of ‘bridge-building’ cultural trips that are not afraid to explore spirituality in all its fascinating varieties – thank you, Ben. I came to Turkey in ’98 to visit Rumi’s tomb in Konya, a trip that led me to live in this country pretty much ever since. Providing visitors here with a deeper view into Sufism beyond Whirling Dervish performances as ‘entertainment’ is needed. Those 3 questions posed at the beginning of this post say it all. Thanks for letting us know about this, Natalie!
Hi Catherine, good to see you again. Hope life in Turkey in your neck of the woods has been good for you. So jealous that you have seen the tomb of Rumi. I will make it there myself hopefully this year. Totally agree that the show should be explained more so people have an understanding of what they have seen.
Natalie recently wrote about..Delicious Vegetarian Food in Turkey
This sounds really, really cool. I learned about Sufism in a religion class in college, and was kind of fascinated by them. I’d love to see whirling dervishes in action.
I’m not sure if I’d be cut out for a full month of living like a Sufi, but it certainly does sound interesting. Probably the religious immersion program I’d be most likely to seriously consider.
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Amanda, I have seen shows in other parts of the country but I would like to see the shows in Konya as that is the true home of Rumi and the Mevlani sect. it is amazing when you watch them. I can not understand how they do not get dizzy!
Natalie recently wrote about..Patara-Four Reasons Why I Will Not Go Back
i love the way they pray and dance at the same time
Zablon Mukuba recently wrote about..Volunteering abroad and Universities
Natalie, thanks for sharing this. I love the idea of a cultural immersion with such deep learning and experience without the focus being religious conversion. This is truly an amazing way to learn about another faith.
I do hope you decide to participate. I’d love to hear about your experience.
His other programs sound interesting as well. I’ll definitely be checking them out!
Peggy McPartland recently wrote about..Honor the New Start Each Day Brings
Hi Peggy, At the moment I am saving up fast and furious for a tour of the black sea region however I can see this as a possibility for this year as well. I missed the great celebrations in Konya this year which happen on the 10th and 17th of December. The suspected date when Rumi passed away. Of course, when I do make it, then all will be posted on here.
So interesting about their philosophy on spinning. I saw them before, but never really understood their kind of Islam. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about it and watching the videos. I learned something new today
Sherry recently wrote about..“Stargazing on Top of Mauna Kea”
What a neat idea. This reminds me a bit of a short lived show that I remember from the US before I left. A group of guys lived in a monastery in Texas isolated in the desert for a while.
I don’t know if I am totally cut out for the life, but I would love to try a Christian Monastery thing at some point.
Andrew recently wrote about..Seattle Pike’s Market Other Than Fish
Very interesting. Coming into this post, we knew very little about Sufism and you do a fantastic job of laying the foundation of its history and practices.
The quote from Rumi, “Love cannot be described. It must be tasted” was a fantastic choice to set the stage for what seems to be a deeply spiritual experience that must be felt and embraced rather than casually attempted.
Maria recently wrote about..Photos: Lost in Time, the Forgotten Island of Bozcaada
Great article! A few months ago, I was introduced more to Rumi by reading the “40 rules of love.” A good, light read for the most part.
We will be traveling to Konya with another couple on a road trip from Istanbul in March. The 4 of us want to learn more about Sufism there and explore the city’s history. Thanks for sharing!
It’s great to learn that people can have these sorts of up-close-and-personal spiritual experiences. We hope to make it to Turkey someday and see the Whirling Dervishes of Konya.
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently wrote about..DESTINATIONS: Initial Thoughts On Peru’s Amazing Amazon
Try and make it november Guys as that is when Rumi’s celebrations are. Mind you hotels etc get booked up pretty quick.
Hi Natalie
My name is Imtiaz, I am traveling to istambul on june 02 & traveling to Konya on June 04,2012
The purpose is only that I am interested very much in sufism, need your help to tell me how can I meet the person who teach me about Sufism in English, I will be there for four days. Thanks
Hi Imtiaz, If you contact Ben, who I mention in this post he will be able to give you more information about people that can teach you
I enjoyed this post. I have just recently started to learn about Sufi mystics and I am very impressed. As a Christian mystic, Sufism seems to be the closest philosophy I can find to what I have come to be. I wish I could experience going to Turkey and learning more about the Sufi mystical experience!
Josh recently wrote about..Why Hebrews Instructs Us to Leave the Doctrines of Christ
You will have to put it on your bucket list to come here Josh. Never heard of a Christian mystic but if it is close to Sufism, you will probably find a lot of similarities once you read more about Rumi. his words are the most important.
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