The red sheik

Spiritual directors in the the Islamic tradition are called sheiks and every student in the Sufi community has a sheik who guides them. I am told that the process of becoming sheik and student is a mutual one. Last night, I met the red sheik and her bevy of women students.

She is a robust woman, although in poor health. A chain smoker, she said in the front of the gathering in the lobby of the Hotel Konya in a wheelchair and called out in a loud voice which songs she wanted to sing. At one point, she threw handfuls of chocolate from a large box of mixed chocolates into the crowd.

Workers from the hotel handed out plates of ground almonds with honey. At another point, bottles of water and then glasses of water were handed around. There is no mention of money. These spontaneous sharings seem free for all.

Often someone will get up and twirl, which is a physical form of prayer. It is said that Moses was the first person to twirl, a universal gesture of delight.

Many people from many countries are arriving now. In conversations over delightful dinners of savory Mediterranean food, olives, mild feta cheese, rose jelly, tomatoes, small cucumbers, eggplant, lamb, I speak with people from Iran and Lebanon. They tell me that although there is tension in their country, their households are peaceful. Especially in Lebanon, where the tension is political and dissension is wanting to be formed, it only lasts so long until the people realize that they can live with diversity and tolerance.

I can only hope that it is true.