BY KAREN E. BOWES
Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN — How do you reach spiritual enlightenment? By spinning around in a circle of course.
Students of Whirling Dervish, a Turkish religion that derives from Islam, were in Middletown last week to demonstrate the ancient art of spinning around in a circle, a practice, they say, that brings them closer to God.
Representatives from the religion arrived at Brookdale Community College (BCC) April 14 for a full day of demonstrations, poetry readings and education.
The religion is based on the teachings of Rumi, an ancient poet and philosopher who lived in the 13th century. Rumi wrote about the spiritual significance that can be obtained by spinning in a circle, alone or with another. His works are commentary on the Koran.
“A secret turning in us makes the universe turn,” wrote Rumi. “Head unaware of feet, and feet head. Neither cares. They keep turning.”
“It certainly won’t get you a job,” said Khadija Radin, a modern Whirling Dervish enthusiast, “but it may help you do your job.”
Born in New York City to a Jewish family, Radin has been practicing the religion for over 30 years. She, along with her 19-year-old daughter, Rebecca, and a few others, gave a presentation on the mystical practice at BCC.
According to Radin, by spinning, “You get to the center of the center of the center of your own source. Therein lies the reward.”
The men of Whirling Dervish wear small beanies while spinning, and women cover their heads with long scarves. Shoes are removed before spinning, shirt sleeves are worn to the wrist, and both women and men wear vests or tunics that reach the midthigh.
Radin said she’s spun for as long as two hours, but a typical spinning session usually lasts about six or seven minutes.
“It’s just energy,” Radin said. “The home for this energy is this [spinning].”
A follower is required to make 18 “turns” or spins a day. They also spin once each time they hear music, according to Radin.
Electrons, protons and neutrons have a lot to do with spinning, according to Radin.
“You are that very spark on the end of every nerve, and those sparks never go away.”
Even in death, our “sparks” live on, she says.
“When a blade of grass dies, what happens? It rots and those enzymes break down into the earth and create new life, and back they come. … If the whole earth blows, you’re still not going anywhere. It just goes on and on and on.”
Like a circle.
But don’t they get dizzy?
“Dizziness is something everyone experiences to some degree,” replied a practitioner who only identified himself as Nathaniel. “For some, it proves the obstacle that keeps them from continuing. The source of the dizziness is something mental. On a deeper level, dizziness is an example of the kind of obstacles you have to face in life.”
“And you really have to be into this kind of thing,” Radin said.