ŞEB-I-ARÛS

A 24-Hour Sufi Solstice Ceremony

2026 Dates TBD

Hudson Valley, NY

CONTINUOUS LIVE MUSIC, WHIRLING, ZIKR AND POETRY

Join us for our next 24 Hour Sema Sufi gathering.

This gathering will be filled with uninterrupted live devotional music, whirling, poetry, and prayer, in honor of Rumi's legacy of love, unity and the journey of the soul toward divine truth.


From 6pm Dec 20 to 6pm Dec 21, we turned together through the longest night, inviting stillness, devotion, and light.

JOIN WAITLIST FOR THE NEXT ONE

Şeb-I-Arûs or the Night of Union marks the anniversary of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi’s passing, celebrated as a sacred reunion with the Beloved.

For many around the world, this night is a time of remembrance, reflection, and spiritual joy. Through the whirling sema, music, and prayer, we honor Rumi’s legacy of love, unity, and the journey of the soul toward divine truth.

ABOUT ŞEB-I-ARÛS

HOW WILL THIS WORK?

This gathering will bring together music groups from across the Northeast, sharing their sacred sounds to create a prayer for unity and healing. Each set will weave Rumi’s timeless teachings of love and connection into a collective experience of spiritual reflection and celebration.

  • At 6PM on December 20th, we will step into an unbroken 24-hour portal of whirling, music, and prayer. The ceremony flows uninterrupted, with musicians and whirlers shifting in and out to sustain the sacred container. Exact details of programming will be provided upon registration.

  • No, you may arrive and depart as you need, though we encourage staying for significant portions to experience the arc of the ceremony. While on the property, you are welcome to flow in and out the ceremony space to eat, rest, enjoy the surrounding nature, and take care of any of your needs.

  • Whether you are new to Sema or have walked this path before, all are welcome to join with an open heart.

MORE FAQs BELOW

FROM OUR PREVIOUS EVENT

WHAT PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING

“My heart is full with light and nourishment for my soul.”

“ 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! ❤️‍🔥 “

“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.”

“ 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”

FEATURING MUSICAL OFFERINGS FROM 

  • LOUDINGIRRA ÖZDEMIR

    ANATOLIAN MYSTIC MUSIC

  • UMER PIRACHA

    SUFI MUSIC VOCALIST

  • HALEH LIZA GAFORI

    RUMI TRANSLATOR & SINGER

  • STEVE GORN

    CLASSICAL INDIAN

  • DAVID GONZALEZ

    GUITARIST

  • SAMIR LANGUS

    MOROCCAN GNAWA

  • NIZAR DAHMANI

    DRUMMER

  • CAMILA CELIN

    CLASSICAL INDIAN SAROD

  • EHREN HANSON

    CLASSICAL INDIAN

  • ALBY ROBLEJO

    PERCUSSIONIST

  • JAMES BIRD

    BARDIC MUSIC & POETRY

  • FATHER OTTER

    AMBIENT SOUNDSCAPE

  • JASON COHEN

    PERCUSSIONIST

  • EVRY MANN

    PERCUSSIONIST

  • KATHERINE HREIB

    TRUMPET & GUITARIST

  • AYAMBAKAM

    SOUL SONGS & MYSTIC SOUNDS

  • ABU ZEYN

    BASSIST & VOCALIST

  • FORBIDDEN LOVERS

    QAWWALI FUSION

  • MEHERNAM RASTEGARI

    PERSIAN SUFI MUSIC

& more TBA

A Glimpse into Extended Semas

The inspiration for our 24-hour gathering comes from the profound multi-day Sema tradition we’ve had the blessing of experiencing in Türkiye. This short film offers a window into the essence of Sema: its roots, its intention, and the lineage behind extended gatherings.

Filmed in 2024 during a three-day retreat hosted by Tümata, and documents the culmination of LILA’s Heart’s Turn tour through Turkey.

FAQs

  • Sema is a gathering rooted in the Sufi tradition that combines devotional chanting, live music and whirling dance 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 the music, you allow the ego to subside. This tangible world starts to melt away and a greater sense of peace develops 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. 

  • Seb-i-Arus and Sema have Sufi roots, but this gathering is multi-faith and open-hearted. People of all backgrounds and traditions are welcome.

  • No experience is required. This gathering is open to all, whether you are new to sema or have practiced for years.

    Upon registration we will send you instructions on how to prepare and practice Sema. This will include basic whirling instruction and safety tips. We will also go over basic technique and etiquette before the ceremony.

  • There are many ways to participate in ceremony. You may whirl, do a walking meditation, or simply witness the ceremony in stillness and presence.

  • No. Resting is part of the journey. You may lie down or step away to sleep as needed. Optional private rooms are available for an additional cost.

    The music and whirling will be go on uninterrupted for 24 hours, join in for however long you want / have capacity for. Be mindful of your body and needs.

  • Comfortable, modest clothing you can move in. Many people wear white or light colors, but this is not required.

    Indoor shoes that have soft leather soles are highly recommended to help you whirl. Otherwise, bring thick socks!

  • Yes. Three meals and snacks are included with all tickets.

    • Dinner pre-ceremony at 4PM on Dec 20th

    • Brunch 10AM on Dec 21st

    • Dinner 6PM on Dec 21st

    • Snacks throughout

  • 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.

    Children under 12 come for free.

  • No. Please keep your pets at home, unfortunately, they are not allowed in any of the buildings per retreat center policy.

  • There will be no photography or recording inside the ceremony space. We want to honor the depth and privacy of the ritual.

  • Yes. We offer sliding-scale tickets, and a limited number of scholarship spots are available.

    Email: lilatheseries@gmail.com

“

If you make a pilgrimage to my grave

and stand on my burial mound,

expect to dance.

Don’t come to my grave without a drum, my friend.


A feast with God is no place for sadness.

”

— Rumi, translated by Haleh Liza Gafori