Colet House Presents...

The Study Society presents a rare glimpse into the living tradition of the Whirling Dervishes, rooted in the teachings of the 13th-century Persian mystic Jalāl ad-Dīn Rumi. This sacred practice, originating in the Mevlevi Sufi order, is not a performance but a form of meditation in movement, designed to awaken inner stillness and open the heart. Through the ritual of turning—part of a ceremony known as the Mukabele (“coming face to face”)—participants enact a symbolic journey towards unity with the divine and the harmony of all creation . Taught at Colet House since 1963 with permission from a Mevlevi Sheikh, this tradition has been carefully preserved in its original form. In this talk, Mark Hamilton introduces the history, meaning and inner significance of the Turning, offering insight into a path that remains open to people of all backgrounds and beliefs.