“Ordeal” in Mevlevi Order

The path to spiritual maturity is to wage war against one’s ego, that is, against excessive desires. The practice of this war is called “ÇİLE (ordeal)” in the Mevlevi order and lasts 1001 days, carried out through service.

Service continues by being under the tutelage of a mature person. Learning through observation, imitating and taking as an example a role model, is a good method of maturation. During the sufi order, one learns etiquette, customs, and rules of behaviour from these role models. Beginning the ascetic journey begins in the kitchen. The kitchen (matbah) is not only where meals are prepared and cooked. It is also where Mevlevi dervishes undergo the process of preparing for the ascetic journey, training, cooking, and maturation. The candidate who begins the ascetic journey initially observes the services of those who have undergone it before them. They then perform services such as errand boys, market boys, dishwashers, somat chefs, and market attendants. During this time, they perform the sema (a traditional Sufi dance). They also progress in fine arts such as poetry, literature, music, and calligraphy, depending on their abilities. Those who complete this journey are admired.

Many prominent names such as Şeyh Galib, İsmail Dede Efendi, Tahiru’l-Mevlevi underwent hardships in the Yenikapı Mevlevi Lodge, starting from the simplest services and eventually reaching perfection.

Spiritual Ordeal

In the ordeal, the word “çile” (sufi order) is used instead of “erbaîn” (religious order) and “halvet.” Its duration is approximately three years. In other words, it is a 1001-day period of service. 

The Mevlevi order holds a prominent position among Sufi institutions in terms of organization, etiquette, rituals, and rules. Mevlevi lodges have a detailed structure appropriate to these functions. The large Mevlevi lodges, also known as asitane (places of worship), built within a spacious garden, consist of a semahane (sema hall), a mausoleum, a small mosque, a kitchen, a square, dede cells, a selamlık, and a harem. Consequently, it is natural that a large staff would be present. 

The large Mevlevi lodges where the sufi order were performed were called “asıtâne.” These lodges are listed according to their degrees as follows: Mevlevi lodges in Konya, Afyon, Manisa, Kütahya, and Aleppo; Mevlevi lodges in Istanbul: Mevlevi lodges in Galata, Yenikapı, Kasımpaşa, and Beşiktaş; and Mevlevi lodges in Bursa, Cairo, Kastamonu, Eskişehir, Gallipoli, and the New City of Rumelia (Larissa). 

In the Mevlevi order, ordeal is a training for maturity. The word “Rıza” corresponds to the number 1001 in the abjad calculation. Because of this relationship, a connection is sought to be established between completing the suffering and “rıza.”  Rıza is considered the culmination of Sufi stations in the Usul-i Asherah tradition. During this period of suffering, the candidate is expected to reach this level of maturity. 

The ordeal, which lasted nearly three years, was based on spiritual knowledge. It possessed a peculiar humility unique to the East. This humility, far from creating an inferiority complex, was entirely geared towards self-discipline. In the event of failure, the candidate’s dignity was not violated; only the dervish’s shoes at the door were turned outward. This graceful gesture conveyed the purpose without uttering hurtful words. 

During the ordeal, they learned etiquette, customs, and rules of behaviour from exemplary individuals. In Mevlevi lodges, everything had its own etiquette and rules. These etiquette, customs, and rules were not to be deviated from, nor could they be broken. An unseen authority permeated the entire atmosphere of the lodge.