WHIRLING TOWARDS THE HEART - A SUFI PRAYER FOR IRAN
Sufi Whirling is a meditative turning practice inspired by the Persian poet and mystic Rumi. Rooted in a centuries-old Sufi lineage, it is a form of active meditation in which the turning itself becomes the prayer. Through continuous rotation around the heart axis, movement and stillness meet, and the practitioner enters a state of presence, balance and inner quiet within motion.
This gathering weaves poetry and live music into the ritual space, guiding us into a shared act of movement-prayer and collective intention for a free and sovereign Iran.
You are invited to bring a poem to share, a sacred object for the altar, and a personal intention.
10% of all ticket sales will be donated to the Center for Human Rights in Iran.
Facilitator
Tara Chantelle Gomez was initiated into the practice of Sufi Whirling by Shahrokh Moshkin Ghalam and Miriam Peretz in 2012 when she lived in California. She participated regularly in Miriam Peretz monthly gatherings and truly learned the depth of this practice with her. Tara performed Sufi whirling with Fanna Fi Allah, an international Sufi Qawwali Band in California, Egypt and India. She finds this practice to be a wonderful way for the community to experience the beauty, depth and mysticism of Sufi culture. Tara is equally a professional Persian Dance Artist and promoter of Persian culture in Portugal.
Music
Live music by Baltazar Molina, a Lisbon-based musician whose work moves between devotional sound, improvisation and world music traditions. His live accompaniment creates a rhythmic and atmospheric field that supports the depth and continuity of the whirling practice.
Guidelines
- Its not advised to join the ritual with a full stomach. If you choose to eat before this gathering, please ensure to have at least 1h30 gap between your meal and the event
- Bring comfortable clothing, easy to move, dance and breathe in
- You can wear socks to keep yourself warm but assure the socks won't disturb your movement practice
- Bring water and chocolate, it helps with the practice