Mevlevi Order of Sufis in Turkey in the 13th century. Rumi experienced a transmission of Divine Love through his teacher Shams of Tabriz. Spontaneously, he began to turn, and his heart united with the mystical axis of the Universe. The Sufis of the Mevlevi Order now practice the "Turn" as a spiritual discipline, and are popularly known as "Whirling Dervishes."1 The Sama, (or physically active meditation) as it is called is a form of “dhikr” (Remembrance of God) which is performed by spinning on the left foot.
There are many such examples of dance as a spiritual experience, but one need not ascribe to a certain religion to have such an experience. Higher vibrational music can cause one to transcend the physical through
the physical. It can be a great form of meditation and exercise. Dancing frees the
mind, body, and spirit. It is the doting wife of music…a marriage made in heaven.
Whosoever knoweth the power of the dance, dwelleth in God.
- Rumi
Click the links below to read more from Empress Ashaki on her blogs:
http://crowningwrites.blogspot.com/
http://therisingofaqueen.blogspot.com/
photo by Hossein Attar