Time to read: 5 minutes
Today we introduce you to Baba Reza, a whirling dervish, and teacher of mindful whirling dancing. Baba Reza uses and teaches whirling dancing that originated in Iran as a form of dynamic meditation. With his dancing, he travels around Iran and the world where he performs and gives classes to people interested in exploring a new way of meditating that elevates the body and soul. Baba Reza will be performing and holding mindful whirling workshops at Discovia 2022.
Describe what you do in your own words? What is unique about the way you do it that makes you stand out?
What I do is a dynamic meditation that originates from Iran. I got introduced to this method accidentally but it was so profound I took it as a sign. Like other meditation methods coming from other parts of the world, it has the ability to focus and elevate your body and soul. Once someone manages to practice it, it can literally turn his/her mind off!
What inspired you to go and do it? How did it all start?
I was living for a long time in stressful situations that kept me occupied with just “surviving”. One day I realised I had no choice but to change my life in order to ease a sense of internal void that was growing by the day. I was in search of something that would allow me to feel fulfillment, freedom, and peace. Then I got introduced to mindful whirling and my life took a completely new route.
Describe a moment of huge inspiring breakthrough in your personal-professional evolution.
I suffered from a defective immune system disorder, due to the stressful situations I had been experiencing. My situation was progressively getting worse to the point where I ended up being in a wheelchair, not able to walk. It was then that I got introduced to mindful whirling. Whirling helped me not only recover my mental state but also gain a progressively better physical condition to a point where I have almost returned to my “normal” state.
What is your current Mount Everest? What are you in the process of creating in the world? Your ultimate vision and dream?
My Mount Everest is continuing whirling and using it as a vehicle to connect to infinity. I currently sense that I am only at the beginning of my journey with my ultimate vision and aspiration being that everybody, regardless of gender, age or race, can experience mindful whirling in order to be blessed with a sense of liberation and peace.
What do iDiscover and its community mean to you?
I am enthused to experience the connection with the iDiscover community soon via my mindful spinning workshops. It has always been fascinating for me to be around individuals who have a love for learning, growing, and becoming aware of the power of the community.
What is your daily/weekly/monthly ritual or performance hack that really works for you?
The best performance hack is also my biggest daily ritual, which is to practice “being in the moment”. Daily practice keeps me in my best form, in terms of giving me inner peace and a kind of cleansing of my soul daily.
Best travel tip or secret location to share with us?
The best travel tip I have to share is to visit Takht-e Soleyman in the northwestern region of Iran. Once you get there you will understand that it is the strangest place you will ever have visited!
What is your favourite quote or a question you want to leave us with?
My favorite quote is from a master Sufi called Abu al-Hassan al-Kharaqani:
“Feed whoever arrives at this house. Feed and don’t ask about his faith Since whoever is worthy of life at the Almighty Gods Chamber Would of course deserve a loaf of bread at Abolhassan’s table.“
Get spinning with the mindful whirling of Baba Reza.