La Sufi dance, also known as the whirling dervish dance, is often called the «dance of being» because of its profound spiritual and mystical dimension. It has its origins in the Sufi tradition, a branch of Islamic spirituality. Sufis are followers who seek to achieve a mystical union with God through meditative, musical and physical practices.

Sufi dance is a sacred ritual that symbolically embodies the soul's mystical journey towards God. The whirling dervishes, who are the Sufi dancers, perform a slow, continuous rotation on themselves, often dressed in long, loose robes. This rotation represents cosmic movement, but also the inner whirling of the human being in search of spiritual truth.

Sufi dance is accompanied by music, usually songs and repetitive melodies, which create an atmosphere conducive to meditation and spiritual upliftment. The dancers concentrate on their breathing and the repetition of sacred phrases, while letting themselves be carried away by the spinning movement. This creates harmony between body, mind and soul, allowing the dancers to transcend their individuality and merge into the divine unity.

The term «dance of being» underlines the fact that Sufi dance is more than just an artistic performance. It is seen as a path of inner transformation, a method of attaining higher consciousness and communion with the divine. Moving with grace and devotion, whirling dervishes seek to transcend the limits of the ego and find mystical union with the ultimate essence of existence.

Sufi dance is often called the «dance of being» because of its profound spiritual dimension and its aim of connecting with the very essence of existence. This name emphasises the fact that Sufi dance is not simply an artistic performance, but a sacred practice and a path of inner transformation.

In the Sufi tradition, dance is seen as a means of transcending the limits of the ego and moving closer to ultimate reality. Whirling dervishes, or Sufi dancers, perform a slow, continuous rotation on themselves, often dressed in long, loose robes. This rotation symbolises cosmic movement and the inner whirling of the human being in search of spiritual truth.

The word «being» in «dance of being» refers to the fundamental nature of existence and the search for a mystical union with the divine essence. Sufi dance is seen as a means of transcending individuality and merging into the unity of supreme reality. It aims to achieve a state of union with God, where the dancer can experience a dissolution of individuality and a fusion with the divine presence.

Sufi dance is also often accompanied by spiritual music and chanting, creating an atmosphere conducive to meditation and contemplation. The dancers concentrate on their breathing and repeat sacred phrases as they let themselves be carried away by the spinning movement. This combination of music, movement and devotion creates a holistic experience that integrates body, mind and soul.

Sufi dance is therefore called the «dance of being» to emphasise its spiritual dimension and its aim of connecting with the fundamental essence of existence. It is seen as a means of exploring the nature of being, transcending the limits of the ego and seeking mystical union with the divine.