I forgot to talk about this experience because it was really wonderful. It is spiritual so there are no cameras, videos, applause–this in itself was blissful. The dervishes come out to the center of a small arena with a 7 person musical and vocal accompaniment. They act four blessings in their characteristic way, which is, literally twirling. They move counterclockwise around the central figure for each blessing. They twirl but with some important aspects–unlike ballerinas, they do not whip their heads. They raise their arms above their skirts. They CLOSE their eyes. They are not winded and they are not dizzy.
I found it spell binding. Would go again. The sect is Sufi and the spiritual leader is RUMI. He is one of my favorite poets and is up in the galaxy with Rilke, Neruda, and Maya Angelou. They all speak to our inner selves. Really a gentle experience.
