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Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi

Location: Planet Earth
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Latest Activity: Mar 13, 2012

I love myself...I love you.... I love you....I love myself...

A lover asked his beloved,

Do you love yourself more than you love me?

Beloved replied, I have died to myself and I live for you.

I've disappeared from myself and my attributes,

I am present only for you.

I've forgotten all my learnings,

but from knowing you I've become a scholar.

I've lost all my strength, but from your power I am able.

I love myself...I love you.

I love you...I love myself.

By Rumi

Discussion Forum

RUMI - A poet of peace!

Started by jussara riveros. Last reply by jussara riveros Jan 18, 2012. 4 Replies

Desire and the Importance of Failing by Rumi

Started by ♥ Sara ♥ Raleiah ♥ Jan 4, 2011. 0 Replies

I am your mirror!

Started by Deniz Kite Feb 21, 2009. 0 Replies

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Comment by Deniz Kite on February 21, 2009 at 9:51pm
The Fundamental Meaning of Sema

THE SEMA RITUAL began with the inspiration of Mevlâna Jalâluddîn Rumi (1207-1273) and was influenced by Turkish customs and culture.

It is scientifically recognized that the fundamental condition of our existence is to revolve. There is no being or object which does not revolve, because all beings are comprised of revolving electrons, protons, and neutrons in atoms. Everything revolves, and the human being lives by means of the revolution of these particles, by the revolution of the blood in his body, and by the revolution of the stages of his life, by his coming from the earth and his returning to it.

However, all of these revolutions are natural and unconscious. But the human being possesses a mind and an intelligence which distinguishes him from other beings. Thus the whirling dervish or semazen, intentionally and consciously participates in the shared revolution of other beings.

Contrary to popular belief, the 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 Qur'an (64:1):

Whatever is in the skies or on earth invokes God.

An important characteristic of this seven-centuries-old ritual is that it unites the three fundamental components of human nature: the mind (as knowledge and thought), the heart (through the expression of feelings, poetry and music) and the body (by activating life, by the turning). These three elements are thoroughly joined both in theory and in practice as perhaps in no other ritual or system of thought.

The Sema ceremony represents the human being's spiritual journey, an ascent by means of intelligence and love to Perfection (Kemal). Turning toward 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 (sikke) represents the tombstone of the ego; his wide, white skirt 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 crosswise, 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 his 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. Mevlâna Jalâluddîn Rumi says, "All loves are a bridge to Divine love. Yet, those who have not had a taste of it do not know!"

The Form of the Ceremony

THE SEMA RITUAL consists of several parts with different meanings:

It Naat-i Sherif is a eulogy to the Prophet, who represents love. To praise him is to praise God Who created him and to praise all of the prophets who preceded him.

This eulogy is followed by a drumbeat (on the kudum) symbolizing the Divine command: "BE" (Kun).

The Naat is followed by a Taksim, an improvisation on the reed flute (the ney). This expresses the Divine breath, which gives life to everything.

The Sultan Veled Walk, accompanied by the peshrev music, is the circular procession three times around the turning space. The greetings of the semazens during the procession represent the salutation of soul to soul concealed by shapes and bodies.

During the Sema itself there are four selams, or musical movements, each with a distinct rhythm. At the beginning and close of each selam, the semazen testifies to God's unity.

The First Selam represents the human being's birth to truth through feeling and mind. It represents his complete acceptance of his condition as a creature created by God.

The Second Selam expresses the rapture of the human being witnessing the splendor of creation in front of God's greatness and omnipotence.

The Third Selam is the rapture of dissolving into love and the sacrifice of the mind to love. It is complete submission, unity, the annihilation of self in the Beloved. This is the state that is known as nirvana in Buddhism and fana fillah in Islam. The next stage in Islamic belief is the state of servanthood represented by the Prophet, who is called God's servant, foremost, and subsequently, His "messenger." The aim of Sema is not unbroken ecstasy and loss of consciousness, but the realization of submission to God.

In the Fourth Selam, just as the Prophet ascends to the spiritual "Throne" and then returns to his task on earth, the whirling dervish, after the ascent of his spiritual journey, returns to his task, to his servanthood. He is a servant of God, of His Books, of His Prophets of His whole creation. In the Qur'an this is expressed in Surah Baqara 2:285. At the end of this salute, he demonstrates this again by his appearance, arms consciously and humbly crossed, representing the unity of God.

Afterwards follows a recitation from the Qur'an, especially the verse:

To God belong the East and the West,
and wherever you turn is the face of God.
He is the All-Embracing, the All-Knowing.
Surah Baqara 2:115

The ceremony ends with a prayer for the peace of the souls of all prophets and believers.

After the completion of the Sema, all the dervishes return silently to their rooms for meditation (tefekkur).

Sema, the Universal Movement by Dr. Celalettin Celebi
Comment by Deniz Kite on February 21, 2009 at 9:37pm
Come, come, whoever you are,
Wanderer, idolater, worshiper of fire,
Come even though you have broken your vows a thousand times,
Come, and come yet again.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
by Rumi
Comment by Deniz Kite on February 21, 2009 at 9:35pm
I searched for God among the Christians and on the Cross and therein I found Him not.
I went into the ancient temples of idolatry; no trace of Him was there.
I entered the mountain cave of Hira and then went as far as Qandhar but God I found not.
With set purpose I fared to the summit of Mount Caucasus and found there only 'anqa's habitation.
Then I directed my search to the Kaaba, the resort of old and young; God was not there even.
Turning to philosophy I inquired about him from ibn Sina but found Him not within his range.
I fared then to the scene of the Prophet's experience of a great divine manifestation only a "two bow-lengths' distance from him" but God was not there even in that exalted court.
Finally, I looked into my own heart and there I saw Him; He was nowhere else.
by Rumi
Comment by Deniz Kite on February 21, 2009 at 9:31pm
.........According to Shahram Shiva, one reason for Rumi's popularity is that
Rumi is able to verbalize the highly personal and often confusing world of personal/spiritual growth and mysticism in a very forward and direct fashion. He does not offend anyone, and he includes everyone. The world of Rumi is neither exclusively the world of a Sufi, nor the world of a Hindu, nor a Jew, nor a Christian; it is the highest state of a human being — a fully evolved human. A complete human is not bound by cultural limitations; he touches every one of us. Today, Rumi's poems can be heard in churches, synagogues, Zen monasteries, as well as in the downtown New York art/performance/music scene.
Comment by David Gould on February 21, 2009 at 4:36pm
IF
IF YOU CAN DISENTANGLE
yourself from your selfish self
all heavenly spirits
will stand ready to serve you

if you can finally hunt down
your own beastly self
you have the right
to claim Solomon's kingdom

you are that blessed soul who
belongs to the garden of paradise
is it fair to let yourself
fall apart in a shattered house

you are the bird of happiness
in the magic of existence
what a pity when you let
yourself be chained and caged

but if you can break free
from this dark prison named body
soon you will see
you are the sage and the fountain of life

Rumi
Comment by David Gould on February 21, 2009 at 4:34pm
My dear friend
My dear friend
never lose hope
when the Beloved
sends you away.

If you're abandoned
if you're left hopeless
tomorrow for sure
you'll be called again.

If the door is shut
right in your face
keep waiting with patience
don't leave right away.

Seeing your patience
your love will soon
summon you with grace
raise you like a champion.

And if all the roads
end up in dead ends
you'll be shown the secret paths
no one will comprehend.

The beloved I know
will give with no qualms
to a puny ant
the kingdom of Solomon.

My heart has journeyed
many times around the world
but has never found
and will never find
such a Beloved again.

ah I better keep silence
I know this endless love
will surely arrive
for you and you and you.

Rumi
Comment by ria on February 21, 2009 at 3:04pm
Rumi`s poetry is the highest flight and earthiest depthness of my heart and soul put in words.
Thank you so much for creating this group and for putting Rumi`s poetry here !
Love and peace to all of you !

Ria
Comment by Sandra Reis on February 21, 2009 at 12:50pm

Hi dear Deniz, thanks for your invite.
It will be a great oportunity to know a bit more about sufism...
Love and peace to all
Comment by Keith Armstrong on February 21, 2009 at 12:31pm
That I might surrender
All to you
That only you remain
In all my actions thoughts and deeds

One became two
That it might look upon itself
And seeing itself in action
It too surrendered

Back into Unity

All Oneness Is

Alone in isolation
A fractured fragment stands
In reflection on itself
Among the weeds of the world it moves.

Karmstrong
Comment by Deniz Kite on February 21, 2009 at 12:13pm
I will bring you roses

I am your moon and your moonlight too
I am your flower garden and your water too.
I have come all this way eager for you,
without shoes or shawl.

I want you to laugh, to kill all your worries, to love you, to nourish you.
Oh sweet bitterness, I will soothe you and heal you.
I will bring you roses.
I too have been covered with thorns.

by Rumi
 

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