All Shook Up: Being Moved by the Spirit

The Universal Language of Quaking and Shaking: Exploring Spiritual Practices Around the World

In the early scenes of Baz Luhrmann’s movie, Elvis, a young Elvis Presley is seen attending a ‘revivalist’ Christian church service, during which, along with other participants he begins to quake and shake, with the suggestion being that this is where his ‘Elvis the Pelvis’ style of gyrating was formed. As the scene unfolds, the young Elvis begins to shake and quiver more and more, causing a nearby witness to recognise out loud that Elvis was being moved by the Spirit.

When we think of religious or spiritual practices that involve quaking and shaking, the Quakers and Shakers may be the first to come to mind. The Quakers, also known as the Religious Society of Friends, have a tradition of quiet contemplation and sudden bursts of movement, known as “quaking,” as a way to express their deep connection with the divine. Similarly, the Shakers, a Christian sect that emerged in the 18th century, are known for their ecstatic worship services, which often feature rhythmic shaking and dancing as a means of communicating with the spirit world. However, these practices are not unique to these specific Christian denominations, as the Elvis story reminds us. What’s more, around the world, various spiritual traditions incorporate quaking and shaking as a means of connecting with the divine, releasing spiritual energy, and seeking spiritual growth.

Pentecostalism

This Protestant Christian movement emphasises the importance of the direct personal experience of God through the Holy Spirit. Often, Pentecostals engage in glossolalia (speaking in tongues) and other ecstatic manifestations, including shaking and falling to the ground, as physical manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. These outward displays of spiritual ecstasy resonate with the practices of Quakers and Shakers.

Santería

An Afro-Caribbean religion originating in Cuba, Santería incorporates aspects of West African Yoruba beliefs and Catholic traditions. During Santería ceremonies, practitioners may experience benign possession by spirits known as orishas. The physical manifestations of possession can include shaking, convulsions, and jumping, as individuals embody the energies and characteristics of the various orishas.

Spiritual Baptists

Found predominantly in the Caribbean, Spiritual Baptists blend elements of African traditional religions, Christianity, and mysticism. Their worship practices include shaking and quaking, as well as other forms of ecstatic movement, as a means of connecting with the Holy Spirit and achieving spiritual transformation.

The Whirling Dervishes of Sufism

In Islamic Sufism, a mystical tradition within Islam, the Whirling Dervishes are known for their mesmerising dance, which involves spinning and whirling to the rhythm of sacred music. This practice, known as “sema,” is believed to facilitate a state of ecstasy and spiritual union with the divine. As they spin, the Dervishes’ long white robes create a hypnotic effect, and their quaking and shaking movements are thought to release spiritual energy and connect them with the divine.

The Krita Yuga of Hinduism

In Hinduism, the Krita Yuga is a spiritual practice that involves intense physical movement, including quaking and shaking, to awaken the kundalini energy, a vital force that lies dormant at the base of the spine. This practice is often performed in a state of trance, and the shaking and quaking movements are believed to help release spiritual blockages and facilitate spiritual growth.

The Sangoma Healers of Africa

In traditional African spirituality, the Sangoma healers of South Africa and other parts of the continent use quaking and shaking as a means of communicating with the ancestors and the spirit world. During their trance-like rituals, the Sangomas shake and quiver, often accompanied by drumming and singing, to channel the energies of the ancestors and effect healing and transformation.

The Mongolia’s Tuvan Shamans

In Mongolia, the Tuvan shamans are known for their unique throat singing and quaking practices, which are used to connect with the spirits of nature and the ancestors. During their rituals, the shamans shake and quiver, often while playing traditional instruments, to invoke the spirits and channel their healing energies.

The Indigenous peoples of Australia

In some Indigenous Australian cultures, quaking and shaking are used as a means of communicating with the ancestral spirits and connecting with the land. During traditional ceremonies, participants may shake and quiver, often accompanied by traditional music and dance, to honour the ancestors and connect with the natural world.

The Universal Significance of Quaking and Shaking

These examples illustrate that the phenomenon of quaking and shaking during spiritual experiences is not unique to Elvis, or to the Quakers and Shakers, but it is instead a universal language that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. These practices seem to tap into a deeper human longing for connection with the divine, and offer a means of releasing spiritual energy, seeking healing, and experiencing spiritual growth.

In a world where spiritual practices are often divided by dogma and doctrine, the quaking and shaking practices of these diverse traditions offer a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and our deep-seated desire for connection with something greater than ourselves. By exploring and honouring these practices, we may gain a deeper understanding of the universal language of the human spirit.