Observations placeholder
Nay and reed flute
Identifier
003560
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Joscelyn Godwin
In the public worship of Islam, music has no place beyond the simple chanting of the Qu'ran. As if in compensation, the Sufis … have made music one of the strongest features of their religious practises. The general term sama stresses the passive nature of this musical way. Whereas the Hasidim are transported by their own song, the Sufis is the more inward path of the concentrated listener.
At first the sama referred simply to the hearing of the Qu'ran being recited or sung. Devout listeners would be transported into ecstasy by certain passages, some would pass into unconsciousness, or even [if we believe the many reports] die! Others would moan, move about, wave their arms, arise and begin dancing. From these spontaneous beginnings grew an institutionalised sama … with devotional songs and instrumental pieces …..
The Whirling Dervishes …. still practise a sama of whirling dance accompanied by the music of the 'nay' or reed flute …..Their hats are said to be tilted at the same angle as the Earth's axis and their dance symbolises the movements of planetary spheres as they circle in perfect order and love for their Lord.
The source of the experience
SufismConcepts, symbols and science items
Science Items
Activities and commonsteps
Activities
Overloads
Listening to sound and musicSuppressions
Listening to musicSwirling, whirling, spinning and twirling