Lila. /lee·lah/
An ancient word with many meanings:
Lila (Arabic: ليلى) is a variant of the Arabic and Hebrew words for "night." It is also an abbreviation for "La Ilaha Ilallah" - a phrase central to Sufi teachings that symbolizes the unity of all existence.
In Hinduism (Sanskrit: लीला , līlā), it refers to Divine play, the effortless relationship between the Absolute, or Brahman, and the world.
Throughout history, music, dance, and the arts have served as universal languages — bridging human consciousness with the Divine. Across cultures, our ancestors turned to these devotional forms to pray, to heal, and to remember.
Yet in a world that continues to drift from the sacred, these traditions—and the artists who carry them—are at risk of being forgotten, erased or misunderstood.
LILA exists to preserve, reimagine and celebrate the devotional arts — uplifting both ancestral lineages and emergent expressions of spiritual creativity. Whether rooted in centuries-old practice or born from direct communion, we honor the many ways devotion takes form in sound, movement and story.
Through films, pilgrimages, gatherings and a growing online community, LILA invites you into a global constellation of artists, seekers and tradition-bearers reclaiming art as a sacred path.
Explore our offerings below.
LILA FILMS
Cinematic Journeys into the World’s Sacred Music & Dance Traditions
LILA JOURNEYS
Curated Travel To The Heart of Devotional Cultures
FEATURED OFFERINGS
LILA COLLABORATORS
Featuring Traditional Musicians, Spiritual Teachers, and Devotional Artists
TESTIMONIALS
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There are no words to describe how nourishing and expanding this journey with LILA was. Firstly the accommodations, food, and travel provided were all exceptional. Most amazingly this was a journey of the heart, of participants and experiencers, not of tourists and intellectual accumulators. We became an international family of joyous participation from whatever varied levels of exposure we had had previously to Sufi culture. I am deeply grateful and astoundingly enriched by this journey. I will never be the same. Thank you , Mahalo, Tesekkur ederim!
Sarah M
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The trip was magic. All around us, with us in every way. Magic that awakened dormant seeds and brought to life love, laughter and deep connection. I know I was deeply touched and I believe everyone was deeply touched in some way. Thank you for making this happen.
Kelley J.
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Omar and Amira and the team in Turkey did a wonderful job. The community of open-hearted people that journeyed together to Turkey made the trip amazing for me. It gave me a sense of being beyond time and place, which is perhaps the goal of all spiritual experience, connecting to eternity. The semah in cappadocia under the moonlight, the joining a dhikr meditation in Konya with a community that has been doing dhikr together there for decades, these are the experiences that were grounding , spiritually elevating, shaking the dust off of the eyes of my heart as Mevlana might say. The trip was amazing. 10/10 stars.
Yousef Z
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“My experience in Morocco was thrilling, authentic and deep. Omar and the guides did an impeccable job curating the experience for us, and above all that, staying present and attentive throughout every step of the journey. I’d recommend this experience for anyone! Particularly those looking to explore an enchanting place in the company of deep souls, who enjoy traveling within a group that feels like home, and who feel called to touch and taste the essence of a place that rests beneath the TripAdvisor seafoam on the surface”
Emily S.
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“I can't fully express how fun, adventurous and immersive the trip to Morocco was.
Traveling through the country's cities, shores, the Sahara desert and the Atlas mountains in a van with 16 semi strangers, we explored such a wide range of what this country has to offer with a focus on Gnawa music; which was incredibly connecting and heart opening.”
Edyta H.
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“From the heart: This wasn't just a tour -- it was a total immersion into the rich cultural, musical, and spiritual gifts that Morocco has to offer. I feel so grateful to have had so many amazing new experiences there. Including a full-on Lila ceremony, which was one of the most transcendent experiences of my life.”
Simi M.
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“The kind of journey you’ll remember for a lifetime. Curated with the help of local insiders, the team carefully planned an itinerary of authentic cultural activities, musical gatherings, healing modalities, educational opportunities and leisure time to discover breathtaking historic sites. The accommodations are comfortable, food is delicious, and overall, their passionate team does a great job with complex logistics. A genuinely respectful approach, and constant communication, ensures the group feels safe and honors the heritage we are exploring; while sharing the experience with enthusiastic locals. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone looking for a conscious group travel adventure at the intersection of history, music, culture and dance.”
Beatriz Z.
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“The best trip I've had in my whole life. Masterfully organized and curated”
Carlos M.
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"This trip enriched my life, made it fuller, and will stay with me forever."
Sallie S.
SEEKERS JOURNAL
A space for reflections, stories, and heartfelt insights from our journeys across cultures & spiritual traditions. Contributed to by friends on the path.
MEET THE TEAM
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Omar Aena
CO-FOUNDER & CEO
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Amira Radwan
CO-FOUNDER & COO
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Alex Allaux
VISUAL DIRECTOR
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Khaled Tanji
FILMMAKER + EDITOR
DONATE
Support our mission of sharing the beauty of sacred arts traditions from around the world with a wider audience.
LILA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and much of what we offer, from fieldwork and filmmaking to free global gatherings, is made possible by community support. If LILA’s work has nourished or inspired you this year, we warmly invite you to make a tax-deductible year-end donation.
Your generosity directly sustains:
Preservation of global sacred arts
Fair compensation for artists and lineage holders
Documentary films, field recordings & free programming
Scholarships, community offerings & future courses