One of the most special and spiritual moments of my time in Cappadocia, the historical region in the heart of Turkey, was witnessing a Sema ceremony inside a cave. I can speak of only a handful of moments that have left me completely blown away and this was one of them.

Sema or ceremony of the whirling dervishes is performed by the Sufi monks of the Mevlevi order founded by the followers of the Persian poet, Islamic scholar, jurist and Sufi mystic Rumi. In 2008 UNESCO confirmed it as one of the 'Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity'.

According to the story, Rumi (also called Mevlana) was walking through a marketplace in a town when he heard the rhythmic hammering of goldbeaters and the chant "la ilaha ilallah" ("No god but Allah") and he felt so happy that he started spinning in circles. This is one of the only religious ceremonies in the world performed with music, making it one of the most incredible performances you'll ever watch, also referred to as a 'spiritual concert'.

Sema represents the mystical journey of man's spiritual ascent through the mind and love of perfection. The ceremony consists of various stages, but it reaches its peak when the monks start whirling and open their arms to receive god's blessings. With one hand opened to receive god's messages and with the other reaching out to share it, the ceremony involves everyone in this spiritual journey of the monks.

I remember there being only silence until the sound of flutes and tambourines started to fill the room, preceding the solemn entrance of those travellers of the mystical realm. As they closed their eyes and whirled their way to a trance-like state of ecstasy, I closed mine and felt like I was a part of it too. I opened them again only to see the monks connecting with their creator through movement and this pure energy that was taking over the entire cave. It was so overwhelmingly beautiful that I had chills running down my spine even after it was over.

This practice is said to be meant to reveal what's inside of one's heart, rather than to create feelings. I remember thinking that this is one of the reasons why I travel: to see the beauty of the world and to see the beauty of the mind. We only need to open our eyes and listen.

Sema ceremony.

Sema ceremony.

Sema ceremony.

Sema ceremony.

Sema ceremony.

Sema ceremony.

Sema ceremony.

Sema ceremony.

Sema ceremony.

Sema ceremony.

Sema ceremony.

Sema ceremony.

Inside the cave.

After the ceremony.

 Seven advice of the Mevlana:

Either you appear as you are or be as you appear. 

Cappadocia <3