Sufi whirling
The practice of Sufi whirling, a whirling meditation, originated among the ancient Indian Sufis (and is still practiced by modern Turkish Dervishes). It is claimed that this is what the ancients in the Vedas meant by the Churning of the Ocean using the mount Meru (Merudanda means spinal cord in Sanskrit)... spinning using the spinal cord as a base. (This definitely brings out toxins, but ultimately, also brings out the nectar of immortality)Sufi whirling is an exciting meditations, based on an ancient and forceful technique. The basic meditational practice is to whirl with open eyes, just like small children twirling. The meditator's whole body becomes a top, moving, spinning like a top, moving.
Experts recommend refraining from food or drink for three hours before whirling, and to wear loose clothing and have bare feet. Sufi whirling is divided into two stages: whirling and resting (unwhirling). There is no fixed time for the whirling—it can go on for hours or even days as did Rumi—but it is suggested that practioners continue for at least an hour to get fully into the feeling of the energy whirlpool.
Sufi whirlers begin with hands crossed onto shoulders and may return their hands to this position if they feel dizzy. They rotate on their left feet in short twists, using the right foot to drive their bodies around the left foot. The left foot is like an anchor to the ground, so that if the whirler loses his or her balance, he or she can think of their left foot, direct attention towards it and regain balance back. Alternatively, they could learn Kathak Dancing.
The whirling is done on the spot in an anticlockwise direction, with the right arm held high, palm upwards, and the left arm held low, palm downwards. People who feel discomfort from whirling anti-clockwise can change to clockwise. The body of the whirler is meant to be soft with eyes open, but unfocused so that images become blurred and flowing. For the first 15 minutes, rotate slowly. Then gradually build up speed over the next 30 minutes, the whirling takes over and the whirler ideally becomes a whirlpool of energy--the periphery a storm of movement but the witness at the centre still. Practioners suggest that an additional energy kick is made possible holding up one hand high another low below your waist facing...a true gateway for energy to pass through you.
When the whirler is whirling so fast that he or she cannot remain upright, his or her body will fall by itself. The whirler does not consciously make the fall a decision or attempt to arrange the landing in advance; if his or her body is soft he or she should land softly—and the earth will absorb the energy. If the idea of letting oneself fall is too much for the practioner then the whirler should allow his or herself to slow down very slowly. If the whirler has been whirling for an hour then the process of slowing down might take some time—even 10 minutes or more.
Once the whirler has fallen, the second part of the meditation starts—the unwhirling. The whirler rolls onto his or her stomach immediately so that his or her bare navel is in contact with the earth. If anybody feels strong discomfort lying this way, he should lie on his back. The practioner feels his or her body blending into the earth, like a small child pressed to his mother's breasts. Eyes remain closed and the whirler remains passive and silent for at least 15 minutes. After the meditation whirlers try to be as quiet and inactive as possible.
Some people may feel nauseous during the whirling meditation, but this feeling should disappear within two or three days. Whirlers should discontinue the meditation if it persists.
P.s.: If after this stage, you haven't thrown up, welcome to the world of the Sufis with simple but powerful truths... simple living and high thinking.
See also: Syed Hussain