Love as Sema: A Journey Towards the Divine

by Maya Abaza

There are a multitude of paths that lead to the same One. In devotional practice, chants, rhythms, and hymns are all sung to the beat of the One. The subtleties I see in nature, in animals, and in myself are all reflective of One essence.

Salam to your hearts and our earth.

My first contact with a Sema ceremony happened a year ago in the heart of Brooklyn, at the Golden Drum. I had been turning in circles for many years, searching for where my heart could rest, yearning to feel into the interconnectedness I was attuned to. Before discovering a ritual of connection to the Divine, I had glimpsed the Divine Nur, “light,” within, and I relished the unconditional love that would flow out. Yet, I was missing a devotional space to share with other human beings who were also searching—yearning to get just a little bit closer.

The Sema spaces are tenderly held by the hosts, fostering a shared respect among the attendees of the whirling practice, musicians, and the sacred energies they cultivate. There is a deep gratitude for access to this practice in a conscious, non-capitalistic way. I have been beautifully and safely embraced and invited to come as I am.

During the Zikr part of the ceremony, several chants are repeated, calling upon God, Allah, the Source, or any name preferred to invoke the One. These chants are usually in the Arabic language. To my ears, the Arabic words bypass my mind and thoughts, speaking to an inner place within, where my soul resides. Through the chants, I receive an invitation to surrender everything I’ve been carrying, without fear, and to grow closer in worship. By allowing each letter to resonate in my body as it wishes, I enter a trance state. Visiting different timelines, on the edge of an ocean of Love, I meet myself again and again.

After building enough courage to stand up and whirl for the first time, I meticulously attempted to place one foot in front of the other, paying close attention to my posture, arms, and space. Still, after my calculated whirling for several minutes, as I came to a full stop, my thoughts, emotions, and movements all came to rest with me. It was a beautiful sight, one that only I could witness.

Since my first contact with a Sema ceremony, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience this healing space consistently over the last year. I’ve come across various teachers, each offering unique containers that are rich with culture, tradition, and years of commitment to the path. The deeper I delve into the practice of Sema, of deep listening, the more aware I become of my stream of consciousness before, during, and after the ceremony. There is a river of love coursing through me, filled with teachings, poetry, wisdom, and an expansion of my capacity to feel. I feel like a conduit for all that can be.

In seeking, I come hungry—an empty vessel, longing to be filled, stretching beyond the known and unknown, at peace with what isn’t for me. Every time I step into the Meydan, I open my heart and turn my hands upward; I call upon the One—The Compassionate, the Merciful. Bismillah Al Rahman Al Raheem, I utter.

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Imagine this.
You arrive at the hour,
where Love has led you.

You move toward that Love,
calling for you every moment.
In pursuit of its presence,
you begin to turn
in the direction of your heart.
Along this cycle,
you orbit between other worlds—
some human, some not.
With your breath syncing,
you are sinking deeper into worship.


And as you reach up for air,
you are met with an ocean of oxygen,
and suddenly, you learn to breathe.
underwater.

- By Maya Abaza