The essential meaning of our brotherhood is to be of service to all people of the world, to rescue people from pessimism and hopelessness. Our patron saint Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi came as a unifier to all humanity.
Men and women of the Mevlevi path marry, raise families, work, and take part in the joys and sorrows of the world while at the same time attempting to attain a reunion with God by giving emphasis to their spiritual state. Their intention is to live as true human beings, cleansed of animalistic, carnal characteristics. While developing spiritually each one is to be as an example to others of loving kindness, patience and tolerance.
The relationship with the spiritual master is of essence in this path. As the representative of Mevlana he offers each disciple appropriate guidance. Also, through spiritual chats which are the basic to Mevlevis, prayer services, the Sema, and night vigils, the disciple develops spiritually. Music and the Sema are food for the spirit. The Sema, both for those turning and those participating but not turning, is a means of bringing them closer to the realization of the Unity of God.
In the early 1980’s many seekers of the Truth had begun to congregate around Hasan Dede in whom they found the scent of love and tolerance of Mevlana. As with Mevlana, Hasan Dede calls people to him without regard for nationality, religion or gender. Formed in 1987 under the title Contemporary Lovers of Mevlana, our congregation is a Lay Brotherhood of men and women under the guidance of Hasan Dede, striving to live according to the way of love, peace, brotherhood and unity which our patron saint Mevlana Rumi taught and lived himself. Just as all the prophets brought their message to people without discrimination, we continue that by offering Mevlana’s way to all people, with love and affection.
Hasan Dede carries on the spirit of reform and love of Mohammed and Mevlana. He speaks to the situations of today. Hasan Dede has included women in the choir and public Sema Ceremony along with men. Throughout history there was cultural and religious pressure which made it necessary for women to hold their Sema separately. Today women and men work in every occupation together, ride busses and trains together, and perform the rites of the pilgrimage together. Thus the Sema is an appropriate place for them to worship together. In God’s Eyes men and women are one.
Our weekly meeting begins with Hasan Dede’s spiritual chat in question and answer form, and then includes a prayer service. Then the Sema Ceremony is held, and after that non-ceremonial Sema. Four full hours of nothing but joy and words of love and smiling faces. Certainly a cleansing, filling evening! It is in a small place, with space for only five people to turn in the Sema Ceremony, in regular street clothes instead of formal ceremonial robes; but it is open to all who wish to come. Twice a month we offer a Sufi Music Concert and the formal Sema Ceremony in full ceremonial robes, at a 500 year old former Mevlevi Temple, with ticket sales as donations towards our rent and expenses.