Sufi Whirling Gatherings in NY & Beyond
Sema Collective
Upcoming Gatherings
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Sema | Hudson Valley
Jan 16 7:30-10:00PM
The Kiva @ MaMa
Stone Ridge, NY
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Sema | Brooklyn
Jan 24 7:30-10:00PM
The Golden Drum
Brooklyn, NY
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Sema | Hudson Valley
Feb 20 7:30-10:00PM
The Kiva @ MaMa
Stone Ridge, NY
What is Sema?
Sema (Arabic: سَمَاع) means “deep listening” and is a gathering rooted in the Sufi tradition that combines devotional chanting, live music, poetry and whirling meditation.
This whirling dervish tradition was founded by the 13th century mystic poet Rumi, whose poems of love and union with the divine spirit are still widely popular today.
Through the spinning movement and focus on devotional music, you allow the ego to subside. This tangible, material world starts to melt away and a greater sense of peace, stillness and connection emerges from within. You remember that the divine life force is an inherent part of you. The experience can only be described as blissful. Participants leave feeling lighter, more at ease and peaceful.
Community Reflections
“So much gratitude for all the hands and hearts that brought this gathering to life. Thank you thank you thank you for giving us all a space to drink with the Beloved”
“May this love fill our hearts, expand our awareness, and radiate through every aspect of our being, dissolving all boundaries, healing all wounds, and awakening us to our true nature as love itself.”
“The reverberations from having stepped into the most safe sacred container of the living revelation of this exquisite exalted Şeb-i Arus Solstice Sema surrounded on all sides by the most sincere Friends of the Beloved, is that my heart has completely shattered & I now walk around with this aperture wide open fully showing unashamed, is that now my soul wakes up into this dream singing dhikr echoing from that holy night we all wedded our souls to our Beloved”
“There were portals and doors to the Divine opened to us that are beyond our sight but very real and transformative. We walked through these portals together, and I see you all as Friends along the Path.”
“My heart is full with light and nourishment for my soul”
"What is Sema, do you know? Opening the heart like Shams al-Tabrizi, and seeing the Divine light" - Rumi
"What is Sema, do you know? Opening the heart like Shams al-Tabrizi, and seeing the Divine light" - Rumi
Our Journey
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Sema Collective Organizers
OMAR AENA
AMIRA RADWAN
LEEN ABAZA
MAYA ABAZA
support the collective
100% of your donations
go sustaining our gatherings
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Sema has Sufi roots, but this gathering is multi-faith and open-hearted. People of all backgrounds and traditions are welcome.
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No experience is required. Our gatherings are open to all, whether you are new to sema or have practiced for years.
We will also go over basic technique and etiquette before the ceremony.
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There are many ways to participate in ceremony. You may whirl, do a walking meditation, or simply witness the ceremony in stillness and presence.
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Comfortable, modest clothing you can move in. Whirling shoes are highly recommended if you have them, otherwise, bring thick socks!
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The space is contemplative and devotional. Mature teens may attend; younger children are welcome if parents feel confident that they can remain quiet and not disrupt the ceremony.
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There will be no photography or recording inside the ceremony space. This is to honor the depth and privacy of the ritual.
We make some exceptions only for extended sema ceremonies.
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We offer sliding-scale donations for all our gatherings. Please support the sustainability of these gatherings by donating generously within your means.
All donations go to paying for the sema space & musicians.