Here is the talk given by Hilal Sala at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, August 4, 2001 to introduce the Mevlevi Order of America presentation of Sacred Music, Poetry, Whirling and Zikr in conjuction with the Ottoman Art Exhibition: Empire of the Sultans.

"Dazed by the marvel of love our whirling endures." Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi said these words 700 years ago and they are still true today.

The great scholar and saint of Islam, Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi lived during the Seljuk Empire. He is known to us as a mystic and ecstatic poet whose teachings are as alive today as they were seven centuries ago. Today his imagery and passionate stories continue to ignite the heart's longing for love and Divine Nearness for those that listen and seek to be awakened.

Throughout the Ottoman Empire, the followers of Rumi--the Mevlevis--flourished. Some Sultans were themselves Mevlevis and contributed to the musical heritage composed specifically for the formal ceremonies of the Order.

In the early 1970s the Sheikh of Konya--Suleyman Hayatti Dede, traveled to North America, carrying the Mevlevi tradition to this country. He trained men and women in the turning practice and Sema ceremony--planting the seeds of Love, Unity and Beauty in many hearts. Then in 1978 he sent his son, Jelaluddin Loras to America to continue this teaching--to water the seeds and to establish fully the Mevlevi Order of America.

Many have been privileged to study with Postneshin Jelaluddin, who has inspired us to make every turning a prayer. From this we are encouraged to purify our hearts and our actions--that everything we do may be a prayer of thankfulness to our Divine Creator.

The practice of zikr means Remembrance--remembering that every breath is a gift from God--and asking forgiveness for every breath taken in forgetfulness. Postneshin Jelaluddin has brought to this culture and to this time, a Mevlevi zikr that washes and purifies the heart--cleansing and opening to the Light of God which we pray to receive and then give back in purified actions.

(The Asian Art Museum is hosting an exhibition of Zen paintings in some of the galleries across from the exhibition of Ottoman Art.) When you open the doors of the Zendo and look inside--you hear the silence and watch the ritual forms of sitting and walking meditation. When you open the doors of the Mevlevi tekke you see the dervishes in zikr--listening to the call of God through the reed flute, chanting God's Beautiful Names and whirling in prayer to the Beloved Who gives us life and loves us.

Postneshin Jelaluddin Loras has given us a unique form of zikr which has been inspired by two decades of work with his American students. Combining traditional form and classical music with modern instruments, he focuses us on inner purification. We chant the phrase "Astaughfirullah" which means: forgive us--"in the past, present and future, my Lord, forgive me every breath that I forget you".

Rumi says: "Do you know why your soul-mirror does not reflect as clearly as it might?

Because rust has begun to cover it. It needs to be cleaned."

We welcome you today into our zikr hall, our Semahane--this space of listening. We invite you to listen with your hearts and offer you a rare occasion to observe this sacred practice. Despite all the preparations (sound checks, etc.) ...............this is not a performance, it is a prayer.

As the semazens enter the hall--this poem of Mevlana's is recited: