The Effect of Cem Ceremonies for Individuals to Gain Inner Peace

Abstract

Everybody wants to lead a happy life. This can be achieved by having inner peace. It is anticipated that the stronger the individuals' inner peace is, the stronger the social peace becomes. In this article, the effect of Cem ceremonies, one of the social rituals, on the creation of individuals' inner peace has been investigated together with some religious rituals in the light of the literature. In the end of this investigation, it can be claimed that all of the rituals within Cem ceremonies such as the services before and after görgü, prayers, advices, suggestions and statements accompanied by instruments and semah dances help participants travel within their inner worlds, realize what happens there, reach their inner peace and create a new "self ".