Mardin: A City of Peace and Brotherhood
Anatolia, one of the most ancient places in the world, has been home to many civilizations. Mesopotamia is one of the most fertile parts of Anatolia, and Mardin lies at the heart of this. Just from this you can imagine how fertile and miraculous it…
Anchored in Anatolia
Having been born and raised in Turkey, I constantly sought an explanation for the contradiction between the well-known spirituality of Anatolia and the reality of the not-so-loving expressions of some of its people. One day, though, I came across a book written by the Turkish…
Anatolia: A Legendary Journey
We humans have inhabited this planet for many thousands of years. We looked to the stars to gain a glimpse of our future. We built magnificent cities, buildings, and temples to prove our dedication to the gods of all eras. We always felt the presence…
I Present My Hand to You, God
I’m at the opera in 21st century Istanbul. What I’m watching is like a revival of legendary wisdom from the 13th century. I’m looking at death on the stage across from me, the death of humanity and the surrender of souls. You are the Gracious…
Gods and Goddesses in Turkish Mythology
All sections of society reflect the background mythology of that society, because over time, that mythology permeates into a society’s culture and becomes a part of it. When you look at various civilizations in ancient times, you may notice many similarities in their mythologies when…
Be What You Say
The entire universe and all its atoms are created from one source. We, as a unique part of this creation, were created as pure energy. All atoms vibrate, and this is how we communicate with each other. We think, and we can express this vocally…
Come, Come, Whoever You Are…
Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving. It doesn’t matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. Come, yet again, come, come. – Rumi For how many times you knock on…
Gulbeng: The Opening
Hail to you all! Welcome to all those who gather in Hz. Pir Rumi’s ocean of love. Hail to the pure souls who accompany him. Hail to those dearest ones. Hail to those who listen to the cries of Hz. Pir Rumi and row on…
Haci Bektas Veli and the Cem Ceremony
The Perfect Man said to have come to Anatolia in the form of a dove… The philosophy still kept alive in his Cem Ceremonies The effort of seeking that secret philosophy…. And here is “Haci Bektas Veli and the Cem Ceremony”… According to legend Haci…
Yunus Emre “Art of Being Perfect Man”
In Sufism and other mystical currents, man in his normal state is man in name only. He resembles a treadmill pony whose eyes are blinkered against reality. Reality is hidden inside man in the depths of the heart. I struggled a lot I searched earth…
