Off to the Republic of Turkey

I've just started to digest the first journey of this wonderful sabbatical, and I'm off again. The trip to Scotland had a personal and a professional purpose, and this journey to Turkey has both elements, too.

Personally, my grandchildren a half Turkish. My daughter-in-law was born there, and has opened my eyes to the beauty and the history of this vast country. It's twice the size of California.

Professionally, I want to explore a piece of Islam. It's impossible for me to understand this religion if I depend on the media. Reading about Islam adds to my head knowledge, but not to my heart knowledge. So I want to keep an eye out for Sufism, the mystical part of Islam. If you've read Rumi or seen the Whirling Dervishes, you have encountered mystical Islam.

Last December's Smithsonian magazine (thank you, Frank and Sandy!) had as its lead article "The Sufi Question: Can the joyous Muslim movement counter the forces of radical extremism?" Sufis are not trying to counter anything; they are simply seeking a direct and personal communion with Allah. I will have the opportunity to visit Konya where Rumi did so much of his writing. I'm reading through The Compete Idiot's Guide to Rumi Meditations. (Yes, it really exists; got it at Half-Price Books, and it's quite good!) And I will have an opportunity to witness again the mesmerizing dancing of the Whirling Dervishes. When I saw them at the University of Indianapolis a few years ago, my heart was deeply touched. It was like a profound group meditation in movement and sound.

There's more to see in Turkey, of course, and I am psyched for it! I'll blog if I have better internet connection that I did in Scotland! Do stay posted!