Sufi Whirling is one of the most ancient and potent methods of inner transformation. Osho presents it in its original, alive spirit: whirl with open eyes as a child would, until movement becomes a storm at the periphery and a silent witness awakens at the center. In this simple yet forceful dance, your inner being stands still while the whole body turns like a potter’s wheel, the world blurring into a flowing tapestry.
Practice on an empty stomach, barefoot and loosely clothed, and let the energy gather into a living whirlpool. There is no rigid duration for the spin—it can go on for hours—but whirling for at least one hour allows the current to take over. When the body falls by itself, the second stage begins: resting upon the earth, melting like a child at the mother’s breast, letting silence deepen and the energy settle.
Some may feel nauseous at first; this usually passes within two or three days. Remain gentle with yourself, let the body stay soft, and allow the earth to receive and absorb whatever arises. Afterward, keep quiet and unhurried so the fragrance of stillness can permeate your day.
Phase Instructions
First Stage: Whirling
Preparation: Do not eat or drink for at least three hours before starting. Be barefoot and wear loose clothing. Stand on the spot with your right arm lifted high, palm facing upward, and your left arm low, palm facing downward. Begin to whirl anti-clockwise on the spot (change to clockwise if anti-clockwise causes discomfort). Keep your eyes open yet unfocused so that images blur and flow. Remain silent throughout. For the first 15 minutes, rotate slowly. Over the next 30 minutes, gradually build up speed, letting the whirling take over until you feel like a vortex of energy—the body a storm of movement, the witness at the center silent and still. Continue whirling for at least one hour in total. When you are moving so fast that you cannot remain upright, let the fall happen by itself—do not decide the fall or try to arrange your landing. Keep the body soft; it will land softly and the earth will absorb the energy.
Second Stage: Resting on the Earth
As soon as you have fallen, roll onto your stomach so that your bare navel rests in contact with the earth. If lying face-down brings strong discomfort, lie on your back instead. Close your eyes. Feel the whole body blending into the earth like a small child pressed to the mother’s breast. Remain passive, silent, and unmoving for at least 15 minutes, simply receiving and allowing the energy to settle. After completing the meditation, stay as quiet and inactive as possible. Note: Some people may feel nauseous at first; this typically disappears within two or three days. If it persists, discontinue the practice.
Core Benefits
- Inner transformation
- Awakening of a silent witness
- Enhancement of stillness
- Deepening silence
- Settling of energy
What Osho Said About This Technique
The japanese master nan-in gave audience to a professor of philosophy. Serving tea, nan-in filled his visitor's cup, and kept pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he could restrain himself no longer: stop! The cup is overfull, no more will go in. Nan-in said: like this cup, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you zen unless you first empty your cup?
In the night, just the opposite of the morning -- be completely unconscious; don't bother at all. The night has come, the sun has set, now everything is moving into unconsciousness. Move into unconsciousness. This whirling, Sufi whirling, is one of the most ancient techniques, one of the most forceful. It is so deep that even a single experience can make you totally different. You have to whirl with open eyes, just like small children go on twirling, as if your inner being has become a center and your whole body has become like a wheel, moving- a potter's wheel, moving. You are in the center, but the whole body is moving. Start slowly, clockwise. If somebody feels it is very difficult to move clockwise then anti-clockwise, but the rule is to move clockwise. If a few people are left-handed then they may feel it difficult; they can move anti-clockwise.…
SECOND STAGE Now we have to enter the second stage. Continue deep breathing, and let go of the body. Leave the body to do what it wishes to do. Let go of it. Let it take whatever asanas or postures it wants to take; let it form whatever mudras or gestures it likes. Leave it free to move and shake and whirl as it likes. If it wants to weep let it. Let go of the body completely. Continue deep breathing and let go of the body. Let the body fall down if it wants to fall down. And let it rise again if it wants to rise. And if it wants to dance allow it wholly. Let go of the body absolutely. Let it do whatever it wants to do. Leave it free. Don't impede it even in the least. Cooperate with the body. If it spins, let it.
Common questions
Practical questions about the method. The answers are written by Osho Live from his instructions — for his own words, see “What Osho said about this technique” above.
1How should I prepare for the Whirling Meditation?
Practice on an empty stomach, barefoot and loosely clothed.
2How long should I whirl during the meditation?
There is no rigid duration for the spin, but whirling for at least one hour is recommended.
3What should I do if I feel nauseous during the practice?
Remain gentle with yourself, and allow this feeling to pass, which usually happens within two or three days.
4What happens during the second stage of the meditation?
When the body falls by itself, rest upon the earth, letting silence deepen and energy settle.
5How should I integrate Whirling Meditation into my daily life?
After practice, keep quiet and unhurried so the stillness can permeate your day.