Gathering for Inspirational Whirling (Ayin-i-Cem Sema)

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.

The whirling practice:

Through the spinning movement and focus on the music, you allow the ego to subside. The tangible world starts to melt away and you tune into the greater unity, a sense of peace develops within. You remember that the divine life force is an inherent part of everything. The experience can be described as blissful, ecstatic, bewildering as an altered state.

Step out of the self and return feeling lighter, more at ease and peaceful.

The Ziker practice:

This is a physical practice that uses body movements and chanting to open the heart, and experience the Unity of Love in the human body.

Evening flow:

We will start the evening with a short explanation and demonstration of how to whirl and what the chants mean, followed by one hour of instruction on Sufi whirling techniques. Then we open the circle with some invocations, the musicians begin playing and the whirling begins. Many first time participants like to take it slow and do a walking meditation around the circle. This part will take around 2 hours. Afterwards, we will have more conversations about Sufi path, sharing and having tea.

Everyone is welcome in peace with an open heart and mind, even if you’ve never whirled before.

How to prepare for our Sema events?

Come with passion, patience, comfortable clothing, good socks and a snack to share.

Please eat lightly beforehand.

“Do not feel lonely, the entire universe is inside you.

Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.” - Rumi

Sufi whirling instruction by Dervish Aziz and Anna Whirling:

Aziz Abbatiello was raised in an American Mevlevi family and began walking the path of the mystics, following the Sufi tradition. He was initiated as a Semazen (Sufi whirling dancer) in 1996 and has participated in Sema ceremonies with various Sufi groups in America and abroad.

Anna Whirling is originally from Ukraine. At the start of the war, she moved to Turkey and later relocated to the United States. Anna has been practicing whirling since childhood and has been performing on stage with different groups for over 20 years. Learn more about Anna at http://annawhirling.com

Host or Publisher The Berkeley Alembic Foundation