Allah Hu!

 
Going to Sema (the service for the Whirling Dervishes), I met one of the Semazen (Dervishes) at Erdogan Bey's Ceramic Shop near the Culture Center. We really made a good pair. He was so peaceful.

For those who are learning, "Huu" is the sound of the breath when the Semazen are putting their minds at peace. I learned today (Jan 06 2010) that the Semazen consider the energy that moves them the Divine Fire, and they dance because of the energy of that fire burning through them. It brings new understanding for me about the phrase by Rumi, talking about burning: "There are three ways to understand fire:--to hear about it, to see it, and to be burned by it." The "Huu" is also a greeting they use for each other. It is soft, and in the throat.

'Allah Huu' is the title of several songs, some from here, one that springs to my mind is from Pakistan, by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Look it up sometime. Beautiful spiritual piece.

Man on Camii Dome--musings on my favorite places

 

I love that I can see sights like this one. The time we spent today seeing some American young filmmakers who have to leave this wonderful place, and it reminded us that we have been very blessed to be here in Konya and seeing Turkey-at-large for such a time. The tears in the visitors' eyes and those of the Turkish friends that they met while they were here made me grieve for my own departure, whether it be permanent or only (insha'llah) just a good long visit with family before we return to learn and share more.