SUFI TOUR & RUMI RETREAT IN TURKEY

August 30 - September 9, 2024

5-Day Tour Followed By 5-Day Retreat

Join the Lila Series on a spiritual journey through Turkey. 

With the support of local guides, musicians, teaching artists, and spiritual masters, we will visit various sacred locations throughout the country and explore Sufi mysticism, the life & poetry of Rumi and immerse in devotional practices such as “Sema” and whirling.

We will start our journey in Konya, also known as “The City of Hearts” and the burial place of the great Sufi mystic & poet Rumi.  

For the first three days, we will experience the spirit of Sufism in this city by visiting the tombs of Rumi, his teacher Shams Tabrizi, Sadreddin Konevi (the stepson of Muhyeddin ibn Arabi), and many other places. We will participate in Meshks (musical ceremonies) and Sema sessions (whirling dervish ceremonies) at local venues. Additionally, we can wander around the local bazaar to shop for traditional items.

We will begin our journey south to the Mediterranean coast. First, we will travel  Sagalassos, an ancient city from the Roman period located high in the Taurus Mountains of southwestern Turkey. Along the way, we will visit the tomb of Yunus Emre, who is referred to as "our Yunus," and whose hymns are most frequently sung in musical gatherings and semas, guiding and accompanying dervishes in their spiritual journey. A significant portion of the lyrics in Turkish Sufi music comes from Yunus Emre's divan.

Upon reaching Sagalassos, we will find a breathtaking archaeological site that offers a glimpse into the lives of its ancient inhabitants. As we stroll through the city, we will hear the continuous sound of water flowing from the Roman era to the present day. The mystical atmosphere around the city makes one feel as if they are stepping back in time. While sitting at the agora, we will listen to what history tells us and respond by performing a meshk to convey our message of love to the universe. We will be staying at Sagalassos Lodge, a mountain spa hotel.

On this day we will drive to Pamukkale, which means 'cotton castle'. It is famous for its stunning white terraces of travertine, formed by mineral-rich thermal waters cascading down the hillside. The site includes the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis, renowned for its well-preserved theater and necropolis. It is also a very important center for early Christianity due to the arrival of St. Philip, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, who came to Hierapolis around AD 80 to spread Christianity, and was crucified here. Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its natural beauty and historical significance. We will enjoy the ancient thermal pools of Pamukkale before heading to our thermal spa hotel to continue enjoying the healing waters.

After a short drive to the southern coast, we will begin our 5-day, 5-night Sema gathering at the Yenice Valley Retreat Center, a corner of paradise in the southwest of Turkey, where Sufis from all around the world will come together for the sake of love and whirling. During the retreat, we will also have daily workshops, spiritual discourse and walks in nature.

On the last day of our journey, the Sema ends and we can return to Istanbul from Dalaman Airport.