One of the most treasured practices of the Sufi path is zikr, a ritual ceremony invoking a constant state of remembrance of the source of all creation.
One of the core goals of the Sufi way, also known as the Religion of Love, is to taste mystical annihilation in the Beloved. The mind has its logic, but the spiritual heart- which is called Qalb in Arabic meaning “to turn” points to our forever changing, beating heart - the only true metric to sense our way along the path from duality towards the unification of the opposites of "I" and "Thou."
As the Sufi poet Rumi exclaimed~
Between thousands of "Me’s" and "Us”
Say! Who am I?!
Listen to my cries! Don't silence me
I'm losing my mind in this Love!
What to Expect:
Through breathing exercises, vocalizations, drumming and movement, we will focus on awakening our spiritual heart, clearing energetic blockages in the body and becoming a channel of divine Love. All are welcome!
Dress in modest, comfortable clothing.
10 frame drums will be available for use during the drumming portion of the ritual and are available on a first come first serve basis.
This event is a $20 suggested donation. All funds go to support the teaching artist and future programing at SARF. No one will be turned away for lack of funds and we appreciate your support!
ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST:
Juliet Rabia Gentile is a Sufi adept and performance artist. She is a spiritual representative of Shaykha Fariha Fatima of the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Sufi lineage, based in Tribeca and has led Sufi prayer ceremonies throughout New York at venues including the U.N. General Assembly, Riverside Church, Barnard College, Cathedral St. John the Divine, New York Open Center, Omega Institute, Union Theological, Auburn Seminary and One Spirit Learning Alliance.
She teaches Sufi whirling (Sema), chanting and frame drumming both privately and in groups in NYC. She shares her love of music as a vocalist and percussionist in several ensembles including Persian Music Ensemble, American Sufi Project and The New York Arabic Orchestra.
She has studied various spiritual healing techniques over the last decade, including as an apprentice in the Southern Italian healing dance and drumming tradition of the Tarantella with her teacher Alessandra Belloni. Juliet recently founded The Source, a holistic co-living space and spiritual sanctuary located in Woodstock, NY.