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The ancient Indian Sufis, a religious group, practiced the Whirling meditation - perhaps one of the most beautiful and exciting meditations of all. Be prepared, this one will knock your head off! Sufi Whirling is one of the most ancient techniques, one of the most forceful. It is so deep that even a single experience can make you totally different. Whirl with open eyes, just like small children go on twirling, as if your inner being has become a centre and your whole body has become a wheel, moving, a potter's wheel, moving. You are in the centre, but the whole body is moving.
It is recommended that no food or drink be taken for three hours before whirling. It is best to have bare feet and wear loose clothing. The meditation is divided into two stages, whirling and resting. There is no fixed time for the whirling – it can go on for hours - but it is suggested that you continue for at least an hour to get fully into the feeling of the energy whirlpool.
For those who have never gone into such physical movement - a few simple pointers:
Start with your hands crossed onto your shoulders and remember that you can always return your hands to this position if you ever feel dizzy. Rotate on your left foot in short twists, using your right foot to drive your body around the left foot. Your left foot is like an anchor to the ground so that if you lose your balance, think of your left foot, direct your attention towards it and this will help to bring your balance back.
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. Let your body be soft and keep your 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 30minutes, the whirling takes over and you become a whirlpool of energy - the periphery a storm of movement but the witness at the centre still.
When you are whirling so fast that you cannot remain upright, your body will fall by itself. Don’t make the fall a decision on your part nor attempt to arrange the landing in advance; if your body is soft you will land softly and the earth will absorb your energy.
If the idea of letting yourself fall is too much then allow yourself to slow down very slowly. If you have been whirling for an hour then the process of slowing down might take some time - even ten minutes or more.
Once you have fallen, the second part of the meditation starts. Roll onto your stomach immediately so that your bare navel is in contact with the earth. If anybody feels strong discomfort lying this (way, he should lie on his back. Feel your body blending into the earth, like a small child pressed to his mother's breasts. Keep your eyes closed and remain passive and silent for at least 15 minutes.
After the meditation 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. Only discontinue the meditation if it persists. As an immediate cure for nausea simply drop your head between your legs - an old remedy!
Source: "The Everyday Meditator: A practical guide" - Osho (Newleaf, an imprint of Boxtree Limited, Boadwall House, London) 1995 |
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