ŞEB-I-ARÛS
A 24-Hour Sufi Solstice Ceremony
December 20-21, 2025
Hudson Valley, NY
CONTINUOUS LIVE MUSIC, WHIRLING, ZIKR AND POETRY
Join us on the Winter Solstice weekend for our community's first 24 Hour Sema Sufi gathering.
This gathering will take place at a retreat center in the Catskill Mountains — just 2 hours from NYC — and 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 turn together through the longest night, inviting stillness, devotion, and light.
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.
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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.
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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.
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Whether you are new to Sema or have walked this path before, all are welcome to join with an open heart.
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You are welcome to rest on the periphery of the ceremony space or the common areas of the retreat center.
You can also add-on a bedroom for the night of Dec 20th at an extra cost. Rooms are very limited and available at a first come first serve basis.
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Our gathering will take place at a retreat center in Woodburne, NY in the heart of the Catskill mountains Just 2 hours from NYC. Exact address to be provided upon registration.
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The retreat center is located in Woodbourne, NY, approximately 100 miles from NYC.
The exact address will be shared with all registered ticket holders.
🚗 DRIVING
Parking is free, and carpooling is strongly encouraged.
Ride offers and requests can be shared via this carpool link.
🚌 BY BUS
Getting There from NYC on December 20
Step 1: Take 12:30PM ShortLine / Coach USA from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (NYC) to Monticello Bus Terminal:
30 Sturgis Rd, Monticello, NY 12701
(Approx. 1 hour 50 minutes)
Take Taxi From Monticello to the Retreat (30 minutes)
Local Taxi Services:
We Care Taxi: (845) 295-0900 or (845) 794-5050
Yellow Cab of Monticello: (845) 794-4040
Sureway Taxi: (845) 794-5050
Getting Back on December 21st
The ceremony ends at 6:00 PM on Sunday.
To return to NYC, we suggest taking a taxi at 5:30PM from the retreat to the Monticello Bus Terminal, then board a ShortLine / Coach USA 6:30PM bus to Port Authority.
MORE FAQs BELOW
FEATURING MUSICAL OFFERINGS FROM
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LOUDINGIRRA ÖZDEMIR
ANATOLIAN MYSTIC MUSIC
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UMER PIRACHA
SUFI MUSIC VOCALIST
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HALEH LIZA GAFORI
RUMI TRANSLATOR & SINGER
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STEVE GORN
CLASSICAL INDIAN
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DAVID GONZALEZ
GUITARIST
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SAMIR LANGUS
MOROCCAN GNAWA
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NIZAR DAHMANI
DRUMMER
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CAMILE CELIN
CLASSICAL INDIAN SAROD
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EHREN HANSON
CLASSICAL INDIAN
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ALBY ROBLEJO
PERCUSSIONIST
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JAMES BIRD
BARDIC MUSIC & POETRY
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FATHER OTTER
AMBIENT SOUNDSCAPE
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JASON COHEN
PERCUSSIONIST
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EVRY MANN
PERCUSSIONIST
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KATHERINE HREIB
TRUMPET & GUITARIST
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AYAMBAKAM
SOUL SONGS & MYSTIC SOUNDS
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ABU ZEYN
BASSIST & VOCALIST
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FORBIDDEN LOVERS
QAWWALI FUSION
& more TBA
REGISTRATION
We offer a sliding-scale contribution. Please pay what you can afford as this allows us to cover all necessary costs.
Tickets include access to the ceremony, 3 meals, snacks and hot beverages throughout.
SUPPORTED
$99
For those who need assistance in order to join this offering.
STANDARD
$199
Helps cover the costs of holding this 24‑hour journey and keeping this event accessible to all.
SUPPORTER
$299
For those who can give at a level that can support their journey and helps others participate.
BED ADD ON:
We highly encourage folks to rest on the periphery of the ceremony space however, you can also add-on a bedroom for the night of Dec 20th at an extra cost.
Rooms are very limited and available at a first come first serve basis.
FEMALE SHARED ROOM
+ $75
Quad occupancy
Twin beds
Shared bathroom
for night of Dec 20th only
MALE SHARED ROOM
+ $75
Quad occupancy
Twin beds
Shared bathroom
for night of Dec 20th only
COUPLES ROOM
+ $150
Double occupancy
Queen or King beds
Shared bathroom
for night of Dec 20th only
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
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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!
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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
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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.
Children under 12 come for free.
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There will be no photography or recording inside the ceremony space. We want to honor the depth and privacy of the ritual.
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Yes. We offer sliding-scale tickets, and a limited number of scholarship spots are available.
Email: lilatheseries@gmail.com