50 OSHO WORLD

SUFI MEDITATION-1

Drawing upon an ancient Sufi technique, this active meditation

practice uses whirling and witnessing. While the whole body

is moving, the centre remains silent and still. Whirling

Dervishes are Sufi's who practice a technique of meditation that

requires the body to spin with outstretched arms while the mind is

centred and still. This method has been likened to a cyclone, where the

eye of the storm is still amidst chaos. Whirling is basic to all children

when they are innocent and full of joy. Didn't you whirl around when

you were a child? Of course!

Before Whirling

Many people shy from Whirling believing that it may make them dizzy

or an upset stomach. Whirling does not make you dizzy if you start

slowly - indeed, very slowly and remain at one point without moving

away from it. Whirling does not give you an upset stomach if you have

not eaten a heavy meal just before you start.

Stand still. Cross your

"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 center and your whole

body has become a

wheel, moving, a

potter's wheel, moving.

You are in the center, but

the whole body is

moving."

- Osho

51AUGUST 2008

arms until they touch your

shoulders - as if you are hugging

yourself. Listen to the music and

start moving very, very slowly. At

the same time, very slowly and

gracefully spread your arms like a

bird spreading its wings and before

they reach out, caress your face with

them as a touch from the Divine.

This is called 'Latiha' by the Sufis.

First Stage:

45 minutes - Whirling

Keep your eyes open and feel the

center point of your body. Lift your

arms to shoulder height, with the

right hand palm up and the left

hand low, palm down. Start turning

around at one point - at your own

axis. Let your body be soft. Start

slowly and after 15 minutes

gradually go faster and faster. You

become a whirlpool of energy – the

periphery a storm of movement but

the witness at the center silent and

still. Gradually your eyes de-focus

and the surroundings will become a

whirl. As you move faster, you

become more still inside.

Second Stage: 15 minutes

Let your body fall to the ground

when the music stops. (it may

already have happened before.) Roll

onto your stomach immediately so

that your navel is in contact with the

earth. Feel your body blending into

the earth. Keep your eyes closed and

remain passive and silent.

Third Stage: Celebration

Gradually, get up and join the

celebration dance if you feel or sit

still if you want.

After Whirling

Most people perspire while

whirling, so drink a couple

glasses of water after whirling.

Whirling Music

Obviously, Sufi music is needed

for whirling and this genre has a

great deal of Arabic and Persian

flavour. Osho sannyasins have

created some wonderful music for

whirling.

One of them is simple called

Osho Whirling Meditation by

Deuter. CC.G. Deuter Aka Chaitanya

Hari Deuter, German flutist and

multi-instrumentalist is famous for

his musical accompaniment to

Osho's series on meditation -

Dynamic, Kundalini, Nataraj,

Nadabrahma, Mandala,

Gourishankar and whirling. A one-

man band, Deuter blends acoustic

and electronic instruments, ethnic

man band, Deuter blends

acoustic and electronic instruments,

ethnic influences, and sounds from

nature. After a lengthy stay in

Poona, India, with Osho he adopted

the Buddhist faith becoming

Chaitanya Hari Deuter. Naturally,

there was a major change in Deuter's

musical attitude, and he was now

the creator of spiritual, harmonious,

and deep meditation music. the

Deuter of the late-70's played a

softer more richly textured music,

increasingly developing a preference

for using synthesizers and flute

alongside exotic instruments

blending Eastern and Western

sounds.

'Sufi Flame' and 'Sufi Splendor'.

are two Sufi music albums by Dina

Awwad or Ma Prem Saarasa an

Osho sannyasin who is a Sufi to the

core and has gained spiritual

insights through studying and

practicing Sufism with 3 Sufi

masters from the middle east. being

a whirler herself, her music is

designed for the whirling dervish

meditation and for the sheer joy of

listening. but she does not stop at

Sufi music of the middle east. she

has made a beautiful blend of Arabic

Sufi music using Indian instruments.

Chaitanya Hari Deuter