Farima Dance

Dance of the Soul
2021-09-29 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Celebrating Rumi’s Birthday
“Love is the bridge between you and everything.”
~ Rumi
Join us to celebrate our fellowship in love and spirit with whirling dance (Sema), meditation, live music, prayers, and poetry. We will be celebrating the birthday of Jalāl ad-Dīn Mohammad Rūmī
Our ceremony will be shared multi-nationally online with live music including Pir Seyed Salman, Master Farima Berenji, Dr. Lloyd Miller, Evan Phillips, and Homeyra Banejad.
Join us for sacred and mystical Sufi poetry (Farsi and English), meditation, whirling with live music, prayer, and zikr.
We will whirl and journey together to celebrate love, unity, and allow the light to enter our soul. Open your heart! Listen! Turn, dance, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive!
$10 sliding scale donation. Your donation is greatly appreciated.
Our gathering is not a performance. Come and join our sacred circle. You are welcome to set and feel the healing energy and prepare a poem to share as we journey together to be closer to the light.
Register
Guidelines and Tips

We kindly ask for no interruptions during the ceremony. We will mute all participants during the ceremony then unmute for open participation.
If you are whirling from home prepare to wear comfortable clothing, whirling skirt (optional), socks or soft-soled shoes. Avoid eating a large meal 2 hours prior.

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an Iranian-born scholar and an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer, instructor, lecturer, dance ethnologist, Sufi master, and archaeologist specializing in classical, folkloric, and sacred dances of Persia and the Silk Road. Her training spans a lifetime of intensive collaboration and research with master artists, scholars, and spiritual teachers worldwide. She is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, a worldwide collaborative devoted to teach dance technique, interpret, illustrate, present, and perform dances of the Silk Road. In 2018, Farima became the first American-Iranian woman honored to be a TEDx dance speaker and performer. Farima is a member of the International Dance Council (CID – UNESCO), UNESCO, and the National Folk Organization (NFO). Read more..
Seyed Salman Hosseini
Seyed Salman Seyed Salman Hosseini possesses a bachelor degree in music ethnology and is an Iranian traditional music researcher, composer and a master musician of tambour, setar, tar, and rebab. He directs the traditional Persian music ensemble Cherikeh which has been performing sacred and traditional music for many years. Seyed has produced many albums including Javdanegni and Tabeh Ghaleh. He is the music director and composer for films such as Song of God and Gadam Yar. Seyed has composed and performed more than 40 concerts and TV programs including composing music for national broadcasts of Iran. He has performed professionally in Iran, Germany, Syria, and the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Additionally, he is a Sufi master and has his own school of music and mysticism.
Dr. Lloyd Miller
Dr. Lloyd Miller Dr. Lloyd Miller received his PhD in Persian Language and Literature from the University of Utah after spending seven years living in Iran where he had a weekly prime time television program titled “Kurosh Ali Khan va dastan”. His program featured musicians and other artists from around the world. Lloyd was urged to leave Iran during the revolution in the late 70s, though he had never planned to leave. An expert in world music including American jazz, Lloyd has made numerous recordings. The most popular being “Oriental Jazz” first released in 1968 and recently re-released by Vinyl Me Please selling thousands of copies worldwide. A film about Lloyd’s extraordinary life, including 6 years in Europe as a jazzman and university student where he played with some of the most well-known musicians of the time, is soon to be released. Titled “” the film will be screened in Finland October 25 at the World Music Expo. It was in Paris that Lloyd met Dr. Daryush Safvat who became his lifelong mentor and who taught Lloyd the importance and significance of Persian classical music. Founder of Eastern Arts, with the blessing of Dr. Safvat, Lloyd has taught music, philosophy, history, dance and culture to thousands of students at various universities for over 40 years. Read more…
Homerya Banejad
Homerya Banejad and Ensemble Homerya Banejad is an Iranian daf player and vocalist. As a member of the Iranian Musician Union of Iran she has performed in Iran and the US with Sima Bina, Hamed Nikpay, Simin Ghanem, and many more artists!

Bursa Sema Gathering
2021-10-23 12:00 - 2021-10-24 12:00 (Europe/Moscow) | Uludağ Forest Farm, Osmangazi, Bursa, Turkey
Sufi brothers and sisters, you are invited to participate in a Sema Gathering taking place at the Uludağ Forest Farm in Bursa, Turkey from October 23 noon to October 24 noon. Please note that this is an invitation only and that all coming must register in advance for RSVP. If you wish to invite anyone please contact us and register their names. No entry without advance registration.
We will create a sacred, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us, relax and open our heart, body, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery of ancient dances and rituals – a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation–through prayers, whirling, music, and love. Be moved by beautiful Sufi and Sacred music, songs, chanting, poetry, rituals, and dance in prayers!
During our Sema Gathering, Master Farima Berenji and other guest Sufi Masters will lead Zikr, Sema, Khorasan Semah, and other rituals and ceremonies.
You are welcome to set and feel the healing energy, bring a poem to share, join our Zikr, pray with us, laugh or cry… as we journey together to be closer to the light.

Musicians — Feel free to bring your instruments and join our music circle. Let your heart guide your music during our open floor Sema
Semazens — Open your heart and whirl!
Lovers, Seekers, and Watchers — Come and join our sacred circle. You are welcome to set and feel the healing energy, bring a poem to share, join our Zikr, pray with us, laugh or cry… as we journey together to be closer to the light.

Open your heart! Listen! Turn, dance, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive!
Registration
There is no fee for this sema. We are organizing this sema from the heart but we kindly ask participants to help us by making a donation or to volunteer in helping us with food, cleaning, organizations and other expenses.
Remember this is a private event and you need to make sure you contact us and register in advance. A Facebook notification will not be counted as registration.
Due to Covid restrictions, I will only accept a limited amount of participants. You must contact me and register your name.
Please send us an email to farimadance @ gmail.com with your full name to confirm with us. Thank you. 😊
Guidelines and Rules

We kindly ask for no talking on the whirling floor and to keep the Sema area quiet at all times. Respect yourself as well as those around you.
For this gathering please wear proper and respectful clothing, whirling skirt (optional), socks or soft-soled shoes.
Absolutely no drugs or alcohol is allowed for this event. Using any illegal substance will be severely enforced. Organizers have the right to block entry to any participants who do not respect these rules.
Please do not smoke inside and around the Sufi House. There will be some designated areas for smoking.
Please keep the Sufi House clean. Clean after yourself and help others to keep the area clean.

English: Farima Berenji

Whirling and Sema Celebrating Sheb-i Arus
2021-12-12 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Join us to celebrate our fellowship in love and spirit with whirling dance (Sema), meditation, music, prayers, and poetry. Sheb-i Arus commemorates the death and thereby union between the Persian mystical poet Khodavandeghtar Jalaludin Mohammad Balkhi (Rumi) and the universe.
Our ceremony will be shared multi-nationally online with Master Seyed Salman Hosseini, Master Farima Berenji, and with live music by Dr. Lloyd Miller, Nariman Assadi, and Evan Phillips.
There will be sacred and mystical Sufi poetry (Farsi and English), meditation, whirling with live Sufi music, and Yarsani zikr. Please join masters and dervishes of the Yarsani and Mevlevi Sufi order for this sacred commemoration.
We will whirl and journey together to celebrate love, unity, and allow the light to enter our soul. Open your heart! Listen! Turn, dance, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive!
$10-15 sliding scale donation. Your donation is greatly appreciated.
Our gathering is not a performance. Come and join our sacred circle. Everyone is welcome to practice and/or observe.
Register
Guidelines and Tips

We kindly ask for no interruptions during the ceremony. We will mute all participants during the ceremony then unmute for open participation.
If you are whirling from home prepare to wear comfortable clothing, whirling skirt (optional), socks or soft-soled shoes. Avoid eating a large meal 2 hours prior.

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, founder of Dance of the Soul, she is the advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), Eastern Arts, National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Seyed Salman Hosseini
Seyed Salman Seyed Salman Hosseini possesses a bachelor degree in music ethnology and is an Iranian traditional music researcher, composer and a master musician of tambour, setar, tar, and rebab. He directs the traditional Persian music ensemble Cherikeh which has been performing sacred and traditional music for many years. Seyed has produced many albums including Javdanegni and Tabeh Ghaleh. He is the music director and composer for films such as Song of God and Gadam Yar. Seyed has composed and performed more than 40 concerts and TV programs including composing music for national broadcasts of Iran. He has performed professionally in Iran, Germany, Syria, and the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Additionally, he is a Sufi master and has his own school of music and mysticism.

Nariman Assadi
Nariman Assadi Nariman Assadi was born in Hamedan, Iran on January 1, 1992. Raised in Tehran, he always felt drawn to percussion instruments. At the age of thirteen, he began studying tombak under Master Amir Mogharab Samadi. From 2008 to 2013, Nariman performed at Vahdat Hall as a soloist and with the Persian Percussion Ensemble at Pars Academy, the premier music academy for children. After mastering tombak, he then began learning Daf under the great Master Bijan Kamkar. With a strong understanding of the daf and tombak, Nariman started learning barbat (Oud) under Master Mohammad Firouzi.
In 2015, Nariman immigrated to the United States. He immediately began his professional music career by performing and attending festivals. In 2017, he started learning percussion performance and world music with Professor Daniel Kennedy at Sacramento State University. Along with being a member of various ensembles, Nariman teaches daf, tombak, other percussions, and music for children in Davis, Sacramento, and the Bay Area. He also offers music classes and workshops online. Read more..
Dr. Lloyd Miller
Dr. Lloyd Miller Dr. Lloyd Miller received his PhD in Persian Language and Literature from the University of Utah after spending seven years living in Iran where he had a weekly prime time television program titled “Kurosh Ali Khan va dastan”. His program featured musicians and other artists from around the world. Lloyd was urged to leave Iran during the revolution in the late 70s, though he had never planned to leave. An expert in world music including American jazz, Lloyd has made numerous recordings. The most popular being “Oriental Jazz” first released in 1968 and recently re-released by Vinyl Me Please selling thousands of copies worldwide. A film about Lloyd’s extraordinary life, including 6 years in Europe as a jazzman and university student where he played with some of the most well-known musicians of the time, was released in 2019 as Sufi, Saint & Swinger. It was in Paris that Lloyd met Dr. Daryush Safvat who became his lifelong mentor and who taught Lloyd the importance and significance of Persian classical music. Founder of Eastern Arts, with the blessing of Dr. Safvat, Lloyd has taught music, philosophy, history, dance and culture to thousands of students at various universities for over 40 years. Read more…

Yalda: A Festival of Light
2021-12-21 19:30 - 22:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Join us for an evening celebrating Yalda (winter solstice), the longest night of the year.
Shab-e Yalda (Yalda Night) is the Persian Winter Solstice Celebration on the eve of the Winter Solstice. The Persians believed that this night is the night of the birth of Ahura Mazda and Mithra, Persian God of Light and Truth.
The longest and darkest night of the year is a time when friends and family gather together to eat, drink and read poetry (especially Hafez) and Shahnameh until well after midnight. Fruits and nuts are eaten and pomegranates and watermelons are particularly significant. The red color in these fruits symbolizes the crimson hues of dawn and glow of life. The poems of Divan-e Hafez, which can be found in the bookcases of most Iranian families, are read or recited on various occasions such as this festival and Nowruz. Shab-e Yalda was officially added to Iran’s List of National Treasures in a special ceremony in 2008. Yalda is observed in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, by Iraqi Kurdistan, and in Turkey by Kurds and Azeris.
Presented by Eastern Arts and the Simorgh Dance Collective, this second annual online gathering will be accompanied by traditional music, dance, poetry reading, presentations, quizzes, stories, and more!
All are welcome. Please register in advance to obtain a link to the online presentation.
Register
Please consider making a donation at http://donate.farimadance.com to support our artists below
Artists
Simorgh Dance Collective
Simorgh Dance Collective The Simorgh Dance Collective is a world community of artists devoted to cross-cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration through traditional, classical, and sacred dance styles of the Silk Road. The Collective currently has member companies and artist affiliations in Alaska, British Columbia, Turkey, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Read more..
Eastern Arts
Eastern Arts Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Eastern Arts is a non-profit organization of dancers, artists, musicians, and scholars who present the folkways and traditions of many lands and peoples. Eastern Arts originated in 1960 and has been active internationally presenting dance and music of lands from Asia to North Africa, from India to the Balkans in concerts, workshops, publications, audio and video productions.
Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, founder of Dance of the Soul, she is the advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), Eastern Arts, National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Seyed Salman Hosseini
Seyed Salman Seyed Salman Hosseini possesses a bachelor degree in music ethnology and is an Iranian traditional music researcher, composer and a master musician of tambour, setar, tar, and rebab. He directs the traditional Persian music ensemble Cherikeh which has been performing sacred and traditional music for many years. Seyed has produced many albums including Javdanegni and Tabeh Ghaleh. He is the music director and composer for films such as Song of God and Gadam Yar. Seyed has composed and performed more than 40 concerts and TV programs including composing music for national broadcasts of Iran. He has performed professionally in Iran, Germany, Syria, and the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Additionally, he is a Sufi master and has his own school of music and mysticism.

Nariman Assadi
Nariman Assadi Nariman Assadi was born in Hamedan, Iran on January 1, 1992. Raised in Tehran, he always felt drawn to percussion instruments. At the age of thirteen, he began studying tombak under Master Amir Mogharab Samadi. From 2008 to 2013, Nariman performed at Vahdat Hall as a soloist and with the Persian Percussion Ensemble at Pars Academy, the premier music academy for children. After mastering tombak, he then began learning Daf under the great Master Bijan Kamkar. With a strong understanding of the daf and tombak, Nariman started learning barbat (Oud) under Master Mohammad Firouzi.
In 2015, Nariman immigrated to the United States. He immediately began his professional music career by performing and attending festivals. In 2017, he started learning percussion performance and world music with Professor Daniel Kennedy at Sacramento State University. Along with being a member of various ensembles, Nariman teaches daf, tombak, other percussions, and music for children in Davis, Sacramento, and the Bay Area. He also offers music classes and workshops online. Read more..
Dr. Lloyd Miller
Dr. Lloyd Miller Dr. Lloyd Miller received his PhD in Persian Language and Literature from the University of Utah after spending seven years living in Iran where he had a weekly prime time television program titled “Kurosh Ali Khan va dastan”. His program featured musicians and other artists from around the world. Lloyd was urged to leave Iran during the revolution in the late 70s, though he had never planned to leave. An expert in world music including American jazz, Lloyd has made numerous recordings. The most popular being “Oriental Jazz” first released in 1968 and recently re-released by Vinyl Me Please selling thousands of copies worldwide. A film about Lloyd’s extraordinary life, including 6 years in Europe as a jazzman and university student where he played with some of the most well-known musicians of the time, was released in 2019 as Sufi, Saint & Swinger. It was in Paris that Lloyd met Dr. Daryush Safvat who became his lifelong mentor and who taught Lloyd the importance and significance of Persian classical music. Founder of Eastern Arts, with the blessing of Dr. Safvat, Lloyd has taught music, philosophy, history, dance and culture to thousands of students at various universities for over 40 years. Read more…
Katherine St. John
Katherine St. John Katherine St. John received a Master’s degree in dance pedagogy from Brigham Young University and a Master’s in Persian from the University of Utah and completed coursework for a PhD in dance history and theory from the University of California. Katherine has performed and choreographed for theater, dance companies, operas and at universities for 30 plus years. She was an artist in residence teaching world dance to students throughout Utah and neighboring states for 20 years. Her Master’s thesis is about dance in Herat Afghanistan from 1970-1980 during Russian interference. Read more..
and others…

Dance of the Soul (Sema Gathering and Workshop)
2022-01-08 15:00 - 18:00 (Europe/Istanbul) | Addar – Istanbul, Kumbaracı Ykş. No:50, 2XHG+FJ Beyoğlu, İstanbul, Turkey
Discover the power and mystery of sacred dance with mediation, music, poetry, whirling and ancient Healing Practices.
Join Farima for a Sufi Whirling Workshop and Sema Gathering, with sacred music, meditation, whirling, Zikr (Sufi Prayer) and Sohbet (Sufi Talk). We will create a sacred, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us, relax and open our heart, body, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery of ancient dances and rituals – a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation– through movement, music, love, and stillness. Be moved by beautiful, sacred music
Overview
Our gathering is NOT a performance. More details about sacred dance and Sema training may be found here.

First join for a welcoming circle and Farima will lead us into her unique 4 element breathing meditation or 7 mode music meditation and relaxation.
We will progress into various Sufi whirling workshop techniques and styles.
Next we will progress into a prayer and open floor whirling with both live and recorded world sacred music, poetry, and drumming.
We will close with a Zikr (Sufi Prayers), ancient Iranian Shamanic rituals, sharing, a gratitude circle, and Sohbet (Sufi Talk) by Dervish and Semazen, Farima Berenji.

Farima’s teachings are based on ancient Iranic rituals, science of whirling, and the sacred geometry of whirling. We will learn essential techniques of whirling preparation, maintaining balance and posture, controlling dizziness, self-focus during turning, breath work, and more.
By donation
In advance:

We kindly ask for no talking on the whirling floor and to keep the Sema area quiet at all times. Respect yourself as well as those around you.
Please wear comfortable clothing (white or light colored if possible) and wear socks or soft soled shoes.
Avoid eating a large meal 1-2 hours prior
Bring poetry to share.
Bring a musical instrument that you play.

No experience necessary to begin participating. With help anyone can learn and master whirling techniques while respecting one’s own limitations.
Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an Iranian-born scholar and an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer, instructor, lecturer, dance ethnologist, Sufi master, and archaeologist specializing in classical, folkloric, and sacred dances of Persia and the Silk Road. Her training spans a lifetime of intensive collaboration and research with master artists, scholars, and spiritual teachers worldwide. She is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, a worldwide collaborative devoted to teach dance technique, interpret, illustrate, present, and perform dances of the Silk Road. In 2018, Farima became the first American-Iranian woman honored to be a TEDx dance speaker and performer. Farima is a member of the International Dance Council (CID – UNESCO), UNESCO, and the National Folk Organization (NFO). Read more..

Istanbul Sema Gathering
2022-01-15 16:00 - 18:00 (Europe/Istanbul) | Addar Center, Kumbaracı Ykş. No:50, Istanbul, Turkey
“Love is the bridge between you and everything.”
~ Rumi
Join us to celebrate our fellowship in love and spirit with whirling dance (Sema), meditation, live music, prayers, and poetry. We will create a sacred, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us, relax and open our heart, body, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery of ancient dances and rituals – a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation–through prayers, whirling, music, and love.
During our Sema Gathering, Master Farima Berenji and other guest Sufi Masters will lead Zikr, Sema, Khorasan Semah, and other rituals and ceremonies.
You are welcome to set and feel the healing energy, bring a poem to share, join our Zikr, pray with us, laugh or cry… as we journey together to be closer to the light.

Musicians — Feel free to bring your instruments and join our music circle. Let your heart guide your music during our open floor Sema
Semazens — Open your heart and whirl!
Lovers, Seekers, and Watchers — Come and join our sacred circle. You are welcome to set and feel the healing energy, bring a poem to share, join our Zikr, pray with us, laugh or cry… as we journey together to be closer to the light.

Open your heart! Listen! Turn, dance, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive!
Registration
There is no fee for this sema. We are organizing this sema from the heart but we kindly ask participants to help us by making a donation or volunteering. Remember this is a private event and you need to make sure you contact us and register in advance. A Facebook notification will not be counted as registration.
Due to Covid restrictions, I will only accept a limited amount of participants. You must contact me and register your name.
Please send us an email to farimadance @ gmail.com with your full name to confirm with us. Thank you. 😊
Guidelines and Rules

We kindly ask for no talking on the whirling floor and to keep the Sema area quiet at all times. Respect yourself as well as those around you.
For this gathering please wear proper and respectful clothing, whirling skirt (optional), socks or soft-soled shoes.
Please do not smoke inside and around the room. There will be some designated areas for smoking.
Please keep the Sufi House clean. Clean after yourself and help others to keep the area clean.

English: Farima Berenji

Caravan of Mystics Sufi Retreat Mistikler Kervanı-Sufi İnzivası
2022-05-06 - 2022-05-09 | Yalıköy Koru Restaurant & Otel, İstanbul Çatalca Yalıköy Şahintepe Caddesi,, Çatalca/İstanbul, Kırklareli, 34560, Turkey
Music and Sema Workshops, Zikr, Sema Gathering, Sacred Circles, Sohbet

With Yarsan Pir (Master) Seyed Salman Hosseini, Sufi Dance Master, Farima Berenji, and musicians and teachers Evren Evin, Evan Phillips, Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev and others…
UPDATE: Master Seyed Vessal Hosseini from Iran (vocalist), the amazing Fatih Kocer from Turkey (vocalist and musician), and Dr. Reza Alizadeh, scholar and professor of spiritually and mysticism in Konya have joined our Caravan!
Join us for three days and two nights of ancient wisdom, dance, music, whirling and healing ritual practices of the Anatolian, Khorasan, and Yarsanai mystics. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to experience and discover the ancient roots of mysticism, to connect with your inner Divine, and to learn sacred music and dance from internationally acclaimed artists and scholars.
Note registrants may now stay until Monday morning May 9.
Retreat includes:

In-depth studies of the origin/roots of mysticism and Sufism of Khorasan and Yarsan.
Turkish, Khorasani, and Yarsani Zikr, poetry, sema and semah (Shams Sema, Rast Sema, Yarsan Sema)
Music workshops and studies of Yarsani and Iranian Sufi makhams with daf, ney, and tanbour.
Sunrise Zikr and meditation.
Sohbet (Sufi discussion) by Pir Salman Hosseini of Yarsan Order of Iran and Farima Berenji

Our setting is the beautiful Koru Retreat Center, located in a small coastal village of Yalıköy in Kırlareli, Turkey, in the European part of Turkey about 70km from the Istanbul Airport. See map below and visit the venue web site for more details.
Payment and Rules
$375 – Early-bird price until April 10, 2022
$450 – After April 10, 2022
Payment does not include transaction fees or visa fees. Payment may also be by Paypal or other methods. Contact us for details.
Online Registration
Space limited. Registration required. Register early to ensure your spot and obtain a discount.
A refund is given if for any reason the retreat is canceled.
Contact us for a full list of activities, schedule, and questions on registration prior to the start of the retreat.
Payment Includes

Shared lodging in beautiful cabins
Breakfast and dinner. Lunch is not provided but there are plenty of restaurants, grocery stores, and a cafe nearby, or you may use the common area to make your own lunch or use the retreat cafe or restaurant.
Daily refreshments and snacks. Tea, coffee, and water are always at your  disposal.
All music and dance workshops

Payment Does NOT Include

Visa fees (based on your departure country)
Airfare
Personal transportation or taxi fees
Personal expenses or extra stay
Personal sightseeing
Extra food and drink not included on the menu
Tips or extra services you may require

Contact us for more info and registration.
Faculty

Seyed Salman Hosseini
Seyed Salman
Pir Seyed Salman Hosseini (Sufism, Sufi music, maqams, tanbur) possesses a bachelor degree in music ethnology and is an Iranian traditional music researcher, composer and a master musician of tambour, setar, tar, and rebab. He directs the traditional Persian music ensemble Cherikeh which has been performing sacred and traditional music for many years. Seyed has produced many albums including Javdanegni and Tabeh Ghaleh. He is the music director and composer for films such as Song of God and Gadam Yar. Seyed has composed and performed more than 40 concerts and TV programs including composing music for national broadcasts of Iran. He has performed professionally in Iran, Germany, Syria, and the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Additionally, he is a Sufi master and has his own school of music and mysticism.

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji (Director and master classes) is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, founder of Dance of the Soul, she is the advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), Eastern Arts, National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Evren Evin
Evren Evin

Evan Phillips
Evan Phillips

Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev
Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev

Also Dr. Reza Alizadeh, scholar and professor of spiritually and mysticism in Konya, Master Seyed Vessal Hosseini from Iran (vocalist) and the amazing Fatih Kocer from Turkey (vocalist and musician).

Mistikler Kervanı-Sufi İnzivası
Müzik ve Sema Uygulamaları, Zikir, Sema Buluşması, Zikir Halkaları, Sohbet
6-9 Mayıs 2022, Kırklareli
Pir Üstad Yarsan Seyed Salman Hossaini, Sufi Dans Hocası Farima Berenji ile müzisyenler Evren Evin, Evan Philips, Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev ve daha niceleri…
Anadolu, Horosan ve Yaresan’ın kadim bilgeliğini, danslarını, müziğini, sema ve şifa ritüelleri çalışmalarını hayata geçirececeğimiz üç gün ve iki gecelik programımıza katılımınızı bekleriz. Uluslararası alanda kendini kanıtlamış sanatçı ve öğretmenlerden; mistisizmin kadim köklerini tecrübe etme ve keşfetme, içsel sezgilerinizle bağlantı kurma ve kutsal müzikleri öğrenme fırsatını kaçırmayın.
İnzivanın İçeriği:

Mistisizmin kökenleri, Horosan ve Yaresan Sufismi ile ilgili derinlemesine çalışmalar
Türk, Horosan ve Yaresan zikirleri, şiirleri, sema ve semahlar (Şems Seması, Rast Sema, Yaresan Sema)
Müzik uygulamaları; def, ney ve tamburla Yaresan pratikleri ve İran Sufi müziği makamları
Gündoğumu zikri ve meditasyonu
İran Yaresan Öğretisine mensup Üstad Salman Hosseini ve Farima Berenji ile sufizm üzerine sohbetler

Programımız Kırklareli’nde küçük bir sahil köyünün huzurlu bir korusunda yer alan Yalıköy Koru-Beach Resort’ta gerçekleşecek.
Ödeme ve Kurallar
Konaklama, yemekler vs dahil toplam fiyat: 1700
Katılım sınırlıdır. Rezervasyon gereklidir. İnziva herhangi bir nedenle iptal edilirse geri ödeme yapılır.
İnziva başlamadan önce faaliyetlerin tam listesi, programı ve kaydı için bizimle iletişime geçin.
Bilgiler:

Erken kayıt indiriminden yararlanmak için ödemeyi öndecen yapmak gerekiyor. Geç ödemeler dolar versiyonu üzerinden olacaktır.
Erken Kayıt avantajı 15 Nisan’a kadar geçerlidir.
Etkinlik iptal olursa geri ödeme yapılacaktır.
Ödeme için Evan Philips’le irtibata geçiniz.

Ücrete Dahil Olanlar:

Şirin Pansiyonlarda Ortak Konaklama
Kahvaltı ve Akşam Yemeği. (Öğle Yemeği tarafımızdan sağlanmayacaktır. Fakat yakınlardaki çok sayıda restoran, bakkal ve kafeyi kullanabilir veya kendi öğle yemeğinizi yapmak için ortak alandan faydalanabilir ya da bulunduğumuz işletmenin kafesini veya restoranını kullanabilirsiniz).
Günlük içecekler ve atıştırmalıklar. Çay, kahve ve su sınırsızdır.
Tüm müzik dinletileri ve dans atölyeleri

Ücrete Dahil Olmayanlar

Vize ücretleri
Uçak bileti ücreti
Kişisel ulaşım ve taksi ücretleri
Kişisel harcamalar ve fazla konaklama
Kişisel geziler
Menüde olmayan ekstra yiyecek ve içecekler
Bahşişler ve ihtiyaç duyabileceğiniz ekstra hizmetler

Ulaşım
Gidiş-Geliş servis ücreti: 300
Daha fazla bilgi için lütfen bizimle iletişime geçin: Evan Phillips (evanjanos@gmail.com) 0535 898 28 60.

Konya Sema Gathering
2022-05-09 - 2022-05-10 | Dervish Brother Center, Aziziye mahallesi mimar Sinan sok no 5, Karatay, Konya, 42030, Turkey
Sufi brothers and sisters, you are invited to participate in a Sema Gathering taking place in Konya, Turkey from May 9 to 10. Please note that this is an invitation only and that all coming must register in advance for RSVP. If you wish to invite anyone please contact us and register their names. No entry without advance registration.
We will create a sacred, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us, relax and open our heart, body, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery of ancient dances and rituals – a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation–through prayers, whirling, music, and love. Be moved by beautiful Sufi and Sacred music, songs, chanting, poetry, rituals, and dance in prayers!
With Yarsan Pir (Master) Seyed Salman Hosseini, Sufi Dance Master, Farima Berenji, and musicians and teachers Evren Evin, Evan Phillips, Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev, Master Seyed Vessal Hosseini from Iran (vocalist), the amazing Fatih Kocer (vocalist and musician), and Dr. Reza Alizadeh, scholar and professor of spiritually and mysticism of Konya.
During our Sema Gathering, Master Farima Berenji and other Sufi Masters will lead Zikr, Sema, Khorasan Semah, and other rituals and ceremonies.
You are welcome to set and feel the healing energy, bring a poem to share, join our Zikr, pray with us, laugh or cry… as we journey together to be closer to the light.

Musicians — Feel free to bring your instruments and join our music circle. Let your heart guide your music during our open floor Sema
Semazens — Open your heart and whirl!
Lovers, Seekers, and Watchers — Come and join our sacred circle. You are welcome to set and feel the healing energy, bring a poem to share, join our Zikr, pray with us, laugh or cry… as we journey together to be closer to the light.

Open your heart! Listen! Turn, dance, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive!
Contact us for more info and registration.
Faculty

Seyed Salman Hosseini
Seyed Salman
Pir Seyed Salman Hosseini (Sufism, Sufi music, maqams, tanbur) possesses a bachelor degree in music ethnology and is an Iranian traditional music researcher, composer and a master musician of tambour, setar, tar, and rebab. He directs the traditional Persian music ensemble Cherikeh which has been performing sacred and traditional music for many years. Seyed has produced many albums including Javdanegni and Tabeh Ghaleh. He is the music director and composer for films such as Song of God and Gadam Yar. Seyed has composed and performed more than 40 concerts and TV programs including composing music for national broadcasts of Iran. He has performed professionally in Iran, Germany, Syria, and the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Additionally, he is a Sufi master and has his own school of music and mysticism.

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji (Director and master classes) is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, founder of Dance of the Soul, she is the advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), Eastern Arts, National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Evren Evin
Evren Evin

Evan Phillips
Evan Phillips

Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev
Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev

Also Dr. Reza Alizadeh, scholar and professor of spiritually and mysticism in Konya, Master Seyed Vessal Hosseini from Iran (vocalist) and the amazing Fatih Kocer from Turkey (vocalist and musician).

Prayers and Whirling for Abadan
2022-06-12 11:30 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | San Jose, CA, San Jose, CA, United States
Join us for a prayer session, ancient mourning ritual of the Persian Gulf (Call of the Sea), and whirling in memory of the casualties and devastation in Abadan, Iran. Together we wish the people of Abadan healing in the face of this tremendous tragedy, to all those who have been wounded, lost family, or have property destroyed. Our team will deliver food and first-aid to the people who have been working day and night at the damage sites and offer free healing sessions and counseling to those in-need.
If you like to make a donation to help with these efforts please let us know or make a donations at the link below. A receipt of donations will be provided to anyone who wish to have a copy. Please send me a message to get free link to attend online or the address to attend in-person.
With Master Seyed Salman, Master Farima Berenji, guest dervishes, and musicians.
We are collecting donations to help those of this terrible tragedy below. Your donations will help greatly.
Sema starts:
June 12, 2022
11:30 am – 12:30 pm Pacific
11:00 pm – 12:00 am Tehran
Enter by Zoom

Journey to Khorasan
2022-09-19 - 2022-09-22 | Khorasan, Iran, Islamic Republic of
With Farima Berenji, Master Seyed Salman Hosseini, and Amir Arzani

Peace and Solidarity for Iran
2022-10-16 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Join us for a free online prayer session and Sema gathering to support peace and solidarity for the people of Iran. Guest musicians are welcome to play for whirling for peace. Please bring stories and poetry to share for peace.
Together we wish the people of Iran find healing and peace in the face of alarming social unrest and challenges in their country.
Sema starts:
October 16, 2022
10:00 am – 11:30 am Pacific
8:30 pm – 10:00 pm Tehran
Enter by Zoom

Peace and Solidarity for Iran
2022-10-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-10-30 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Join us for a free online prayer session and Sema gathering to support peace and solidarity for the people of Iran. Guest musicians are welcome to play for whirling for peace. Please bring stories and poetry to share for peace.
Together we wish the people of Iran find healing and peace in the face of alarming social unrest and challenges in their country.
Sema starts:
Sundays October 2022
10:00 am – 11:00 am Pacific
8:30 pm – 9:30 pm Tehran
Enter by Zoom

Dance of the Soul: Shebi Arus Gathering
2022-12-17 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Last Frontier NYC, 520 Kingsland Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11222, United States
A Sacred Dance, Music and Healing Journey with Sufi Master of Yarsan Order and Scholar, Farima Berenji
Join us on a path of healing and self-growth through the power of Sufism, Sacred Circles, music, and Sacred Dance. In that journey, the promptings of the Inner Divine are found, and love, kindness, and compassion flow naturally into our daily life.
We will create a sacred, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us, relax and open our heart, body, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery of ancient Persian and Sufi dance and rituals — a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation–through prayers, whirling, music, and love. Be moved by beautiful Sufi rituals, sacred music, songs, chanting, poetry, and dance in prayers and Love!
For this workshop and gathering, we will combine the sacred phrases, chants, music, and movements from the ancient Persian spiritual traditions of Khorasan and Yarsan to help touch the spiritual essence within us and to help us recognize it in others. These fundamental elements compose the ancient, contemporary, and devotional roots of sacred dance.
In this workshop/gathering we will experience:

Presence and surrender to Love.
Practice devotional embodiment and ancient Persian healing dance rituals.
The power of healing and love through poetry, zikr, and Sufi whirling (Iranian, Central Asian, and Turkish Rituals and Zikr)
The power of the sharing circle and acts of kindness and love toward self and others.
Dance and Music as prayer and spiritual transformation.
Breathing meditations.
Basic whirling techniques for beginners (Iranian, Turkish and Central Asian Sema and Semah)
Gwati and Iranian Zikr Rituals (Sufi Prayers and Ancient Medicine Healing Circles)
Sema Gathering, Performances, and Sohbet (Sufi Whirling Gathering and Spiritual Talk/Lectures), Q&A, and Sharing Circles.

Participants are encouraged to bring a poem or story to share. Musicians feel free to bring your instruments to inspire and bring love into our circle!
Register
Register also for our Dance of the Soul workshop on December 18

Yalda: Calling in the Light
2022-12-21 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Join us for an evening gathering sharing stories, poetry, and more for Yalda, the winter solstice. This year we dedicate our evening with prayers and sacred rituals honoring the bravery of the Iranian people who are facing a long period of unrest. Feel free to share stories or poetry during this third annual online Yalda gathering. Together let us bring back the light and call in peace and unity.
Shab-e Yalda (Yalda Night) is the Persian Winter Solstice Celebration on the eve of the Winter Solstice. The Persians believed that this night is the night of the birth of Ahura Mazda and Mithra, Persian God of Light and Truth.
The longest and darkest night of the year is a time when friends and family gather together to eat, drink and read poetry (especially Hafez) and Shahnameh until well after midnight. Fruits and nuts are eaten and pomegranates and watermelons are particularly significant. The red color in these fruits symbolizes the crimson hues of dawn and glow of life. The poems of Divan-e Hafez, which can be found in the bookcases of most Iranian families, are read or recited on various occasions such as this festival and Nowruz. Shab-e Yalda was officially added to Iran’s List of National Treasures in a special ceremony in 2008. Yalda is observed in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, by Iraqi Kurdistan, and in Turkey by Kurds and Azeris.
All are welcome. Please register in advance to obtain a link to the online presentation.
Please consider making a donation at http://donate.farimadance.com to support our work.

Candlelight Labyrinth Walk
2023-03-10 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street, San Francisco, CA, 94108, United States
Walk a sacred path at Grace Cathedral, stepping into an ancient spiritual archetype found on nearly every continent across numerous cultures for thousands of years. Candlelight Labyrinth Walks are an opportunity to immerse your senses in an enchanted atmosphere unlike any other in San Francisco. Surrounded by the cathedral’s stunning stained glass, be transported by the ethereal strains of unique live music drawn from a variety of world musical traditions each month, and complemented with the whimsical glow of flickering votives along the walls.
Music performed by Gabriel Gold and whirling with Farima Berenji.

Mystical Gathering in Kermanshah
2023-05-11 - 2023-05-14 | Kermanshah, Kermanshah, Kermanshah, Iran, Islamic Republic of
A group with Master Farima Berenji, Pir Salman Hosseni, and other masters and musicians will be visiting sacred sites in Kermanshah, Iran May 11 to 14.

Sema and Maqam Intensive
2023-05-20
Join renowned Sufi Dance Master and Scholar Farima Berenji for a full day Sema and maqam intensive workshop.
More details coming…

Caravan of Mystics Sufi Retreat
2023-06-02 - 2023-06-12 | Metanoia Wellness and Retreat Center, Baakline, Lebanon
Music and Sema Workshops, Zikr, Sema Gathering, Sacred Circles, Sohbet
Sacred dance, music, and mysticism workshops with masters Farima Berenji, Pir Salman Hosseni, Pir Darush Hosseni, Evan Phillips, and more.
Discover the magic of Metanoia Wellness and Retreat Center nestled in the heart of the Chouf Nature Reserve. Accommodation, high-quality food, and transportation included.
Join us for one or two weeks (June 2 – 5 and June 9 – 12) of ancient wisdom, dance, music, whirling and healing ritual practices of the Anatolian, Khorasan, and Yarsanai mystics. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to experience and discover the ancient roots of mysticism, to connect with your inner Divine, and to learn sacred music and dance from internationally acclaimed artists and scholars.
Retreat includes:

In-depth studies of the origin/roots of mysticism and Sufism of Khorasan and Yarsan.
Turkish, Khorasani, and Yarsani Zikr, poetry, sema and semah (Shams Sema, Rast Sema, Yarsan Sema)
Music workshops and studies of Yarsani and Iranian Sufi makhams with daf, ney, and tanbour.
Sunrise Zikr and meditation.
Sohbet (Sufi discussion) by Pir Salman Hosseini of Yarsan Order of Iran and Farima Berenji

More details…
Contact us for more info and registration. Limited availability.
+961 71 678 794
Faculty

Pir Salman Hosseini
Seyed Salman
Pir Seyed Salman Hosseini (Sufism, Sufi music, maqams, tanbur) possesses a bachelor degree in music ethnology and is an Iranian traditional music researcher, composer and a master musician of tambour, setar, tar, and rebab. He directs the traditional Persian music ensemble Cherikeh which has been performing sacred and traditional music for many years. Seyed has produced many albums including Javdanegni and Tabeh Ghaleh. He is the music director and composer for films such as Song of God and Gadam Yar. Seyed has composed and performed more than 40 concerts and TV programs including composing music for national broadcasts of Iran. He has performed professionally in Iran, Germany, Syria, and the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Additionally, he is a Sufi master and has his own school of music and mysticism.

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji (Director and master classes) is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, founder of Dance of the Soul, she is the advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), Eastern Arts, National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Evan Phillips
Evan Phillips

Connecting with the Elements Retreat
2023-10-19 - 2023-10-23 | Metanoia Wellness and Retreat Center, Baakline, Lebanon
Music and Sema Workshops, Zikr, Sema Gathering, Sacred Circles, Sohbet

Join us on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery and healing at Metanoia Retreat Center, Lebanon for five days of immersion of heart centric prayer and movement medicine. We will open the portal to a deeper space of healing and transformation. Your day will be filled with 6 hrs of ancient Persian and Central Asian sacred healing rituals and whirling, sacred dance, meditation, intensive training in metaphysical practices and yoga.
With Dr. Farima Berenji, Professor of Mysticism, Sufi Master/Reverend and Doctor of Metaphysics
Fire, Water, Earth, and Air are considered so valuable in Persian mystic and Sufi tradition. Among the four elements, Fire is the most holy element as it pervades the entire creation. Ancient Persian culture revered the Elements as the basic building blocks of the universe. The mystic beliefs from early times attribute the interactions between the elements as the cause of development for everything in the universe. Each element is of spiritual growth and vibrations of the root energy. Each element contains 7 sacred elements within it self that connect us to our spirit or one with the Wheel of Mitra (Divine Light). The symbolism of the four elements is found in the Tree of Life, the four directions, the four seasons, and the four Archangels.
Retreat includes:

Sharing Circle and Lecture
Dance Medicine and Healing Circles
Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation
Poetry, Music, Iranian Zikr (Prayers and Remembrance), and Sama (Sufi Whirling)
Sightseeing or Rest (your option)

Our setting is the beautiful Metanoia Retreat and Wellness Center, Lebanon. Secluded in lush forest, free from civilization’s grasp, experience the pure, healing embrace of nature within nearly 2,500 square miles of pure tranquility.
Payment and Rules
$600 – Early-bird price until September 18, 2023
$700 – After September 18, 2023
Payment does not include transaction fees or visa fees. Payment may be by Paypal or other methods. Contact us for details.
Online Registration
Space limited. Registration required. Register early to ensure your spot and obtain a discount.
A refund is given if for any reason the retreat is canceled.
Contact us for questions prior to the start of the retreat.
Payment Includes

Shared lodging in beautiful cabins
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, except as noted in the retreat schedule
Daily refreshments and snacks. Tea, coffee, and water are always at your  disposal.
All healing and dance workshops

Payment Does NOT Include

Visa fees (based on your departure country)
Airfare
Transportation or taxi fees
Personal expenses or extra stay
Personal sightseeing
Extra food and drink not included on the menu
Tips or extra services you may require

Retreat Schedule
Come with an open heart and please be receptive to what comes up for you.

Day
Timeline

Thursday
Air – An uplifting session in finding softness and length in the body and connecting with a sense of lightness.
Breakfast – Welcome
-Sharing Circle and Lecture
-Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation: Air
-Dance Medicine and Healing Circles: Silence – Calling the Angel of Air.
Lunch
-The Ouj – Earth to Sky: Mystical Dances, Rituals, and Whirling based on Air.
Dinner
Sacred Circle Gathering: Poetry, Music, and Iranian Zikr (Prayers and Remembrance) and Sama (Sufi Whirling).

Friday
Water – This session focuses on extension, the fluid flow of complete range of motion movements.
Breakfast
-Sharing Circle and Lecture
-Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation: Water
-Dance Medicine and Healing Circle: Solitude, Water Therapy, Calling the Angel of Water.
Lunch
-The Moj – The Waves and Frequencies: Mystical Dances, Rituals, and Whirling based on Water
Dinner
-Sacred Circle Gathering: Poetry, Music, and Iranian Zikr (Prayers and Remembrance) and Sama (Sufi Whirling)

Saturday
Rest or Sightseeing Option
Breakfast
-Sightseeing – Fun Day
Dinner and Free time

Sunday
Fire – A high intensity session to invigorate the senses, make you sweat and connect you with the power and energy that burns inside you.
Breakfast
-Sharing Circle and Lecture
-Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation: Fire
-Dance Medicine and Healing Circle: Fire Rituals, Gwati (Ancient Iranian Healing Dance) and Gazing – Calling on the Angel of Fire.
Lunch
-Fana – The Ecstatic Realm: Mystical Dances, Rituals, and Whirling based on Fire
-The Calling: Farima’s Unique Healing Mediation Ritual based on the 7 Senses and the 7 Sacred Realm.
Dinner
-Sacred Circle Gathering: Poetry, Music, and Iranian Zikr (Prayers and Remembrance) and Sama (Sufi Whirling)

Monday
Earth – a grounding and stabilizing view of posture and movement that generates from natural energy relationship between your body, your heart center and the earth beneath your feet.
Breakfast
-Sharing Circle and Lecture
-Connection, Visualization and Breathing Meditation: Fire
-Yoga Session
Lunch
-Forud – The Return and Awakening: Mystical Dances, Rituals, and Whirling based on Earth
-Dance Medicine and Healing Circle: Heart Connection and Stone Therapy – Calling on the Angel of Earth.
-Ancient Iranian Sun Set Ritual based on the 4 Elements
Dinner
-The Wheel of Mitra – Ancient Prayer and Mystical Circle Dance of Unification and Purification.
-Closing Ceremony

Tuesday
Option – People may stay or leave

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji has an MA in Anthropology/Archaeology, MA in Iranian dance ethnology both from Cal State Hayward, and an M.Msc. and a PhD from the University of Sedona in Iranian metaphysics and mysticism, specializing in Iranian mystic traditions, Sufism, and women’s mystic rituals. She is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer and has been recognized as one of the few world scholars of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden, the EU, and the UN. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the SoulTM, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization member, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. She has excelled in artistic and innovative forms of cultural preservation and has been recognized by the international press. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to research, lecture, perform, educate, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Sema Gathering - Iranian Sufi and Yarsani Gathering
2023-11-12 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Cope-a-Cabana, 433 S. Henry Ave., San Jose, CA, 95117, United States
Join us in prayer for healing and peace, live music, poetry, Iranian and ancient Mithraic whirling rituals, Yarsani Zikr and reading of Kalams (Zoroastrians, Iranic and Yarsani book of prayers and chanting). We will create a sacred, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us, relax and open our heart, body, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery of ancient dances and rituals – a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation– through movement, music, love, and stillness. Be moved by beautiful, sacred music.
During our Sema Gathering, Master Farima Berenji will lead Zikr, Sema, and other rituals and ceremonies. Joining us will be guest samazens and musicans, including Bill Cope, Homeyra Banejad and Ensemble, Katayoon, and more.
Open your heart! Listen! Turn, dance, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive!
Sliding scale donation: $10-20.
Register

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Farima Berenji is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the Soul™, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

Sema and Sufi Sacred Gathering
2024-03-30 19:30 - 22:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | William Pitt Union Assembly Room, 123 University Place, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
Join us for a mystical night full of Sufi whirling and poetry! Everyone will get a chance to join an optional Sufi workshop facilitated by Farima Berenji. Persian food will be served as well. Space limited. RSVP required

Workshops and Sema Gathering
2024-04-20 - 2024-05-10
Workshops and Sema gathering with Farima in Kurdistan, Iran. More details coming…

Awakening Peace Through Dance and Music
2024-04-28 16:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Cope-a-Cabana, 433 S. Henry Ave., San Jose, CA, 95117, United States
Join us in prayer for healing and peace with live music and dance, poetry, whirling rituals, and more in this community gathering. We welcome guest artists and musicians to join us in our quest for peace and harmony by means of dance and music.
Suggested sliding scale donation: $5-25.
Postponed

Register to obtain Zoom online conferencing link.

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Dr. Farima Berenji is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, instructor, choreographer, and dance ethnologist. A master instructor and performer in Persian and Sufi dance, she specializes in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia and Central Asia. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Coordinator of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the Soul™, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more..

A Gathering for Peace
2025-06-17 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Join us for a free online prayer session, sema, and zikr gathering to support peace and solidarity for the people of Iran. Please bring stories and poetry to share for peace.
Together we wish the people of Iran find healing and peace in the face of alarming unrest and challenges in their country.
Register

Sema: A Gathering of Lovers
2025-07-12 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Astralab, 678 La Fayette Park Place, Los Angeles, 90057, United States
Saturday Evening
Sama Gathering – A Gathering of Lovers
An Evening of Sema (Whirling), Prayer, Zikr, and Sacred Sound
Join us for a heart-opening Sacred Circle and Sama (or Sema) Gathering led by Sufi Master Dr. Farima Berenji. This gathering follows the ancient traditions of Iranian Sufism, drawing from the Khorasani, Qaderi, Ali Qalandar, and Yarsani paths. Through the sacred practices of Sama (spiritual listening and turning) and Zikr (remembrance through chanting), we will journey beyond the self, awaken the heart, and align with the divine rhythm within.
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (may go later). Donation appreciated
Overview:

Welcoming Circle: Opening meditation and grounding
Zikr & Sama: Whirling, chanting, and sacred movement
Closing Circle: Sharing and gratitude
Sohbet (Sufi Talk): Spiritual conversation and wisdom sharing with Farima

Open your heart! Listen! Turn, dance, move, and cry in any way that makes you feel alive!
Participants, feel free to bring a poem to share. Musicians, we welcome you to join us and bless us with your music.
Guidelines and Rules for Sama Participation:

Please wear comfortable clothing (white or light-colored if possible) and socks or soft-soled shoes.
Respect yourself and others: No talking, taking pictures, or videos on the Sama floor; please maintain a quiet and respectful space at all times.
Permission from Farima is required for any videos or pictures.
Avoid eating a large meal prior to the gathering to ensure comfort during the Sama; bring some water or sweets with you.
Respectful attire is a MUST. Farima will ask you to cover up if proper clothing is not worn.
Absolutely no alcohol or smoking is allowed at the Sama Gathering.

Be sure to join us for Saturday’s afternoon workshop:
Saturday Daytime – Dance of the Soul
Be sure to join us for Sunday’s workshop:
Sunday Daytime – On the Path of the Ancient Ones
Register

Sema Gathering
2025-10-02 19:30 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Golden Drum, 97 Green St, Brooklyn, 11222, United States
Join us in prayer for healing and peace, music, poetry, Iranian and ancient Mithraic whirling rituals, Yarsani Zikr and reading of Kalams (Zoroastrians, Iranic and Yarsani book of prayers and chanting). We will create a sacred, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us, relax and open our heart, body, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery of ancient dances and rituals – a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation– through movement, music, love, and stillness. Be moved by beautiful, sacred music.
During our Sema Gathering, Master Farima Berenji will lead Zikr, Sema, and other rituals and ceremonies. Join us to celebrate our fellowship in love and spirit with sacred and mystical Sufi poetry (Farsi and English), meditation, whirling with live and recorded music, then close with prayer and zikr.
Open your heart! Listen! Turn, dance, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive!

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Dr. Farima Berenji specializes in Iranian mystic traditions, Sufism, and women’s mystic rituals. She is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer and has been the recognized as one of the few world scholars of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden, the EU, and the UN. She has excelled in artistic and innovative forms of cultural preservation and has been recognized by the international press. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to research, lecture, perform, educate, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more…

Sema Gathering
2025-10-03 20:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Casa Clara, 218 E 25th St, New York, NY, 10010, United States
Join us in prayer for healing and peace, music, poetry, Iranian and ancient Mithraic whirling rituals, Yarsani Zikr and reading of Kalams (Zoroastrians, Iranic and Yarsani book of prayers and chanting). We will create a sacred, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us, relax and open our heart, body, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery of ancient dances and rituals – a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation– through movement, music, love, and stillness. Be moved by beautiful, sacred music.
During our Sema Gathering, Master Farima Berenji will lead Zikr, Sema, and other rituals and ceremonies. Join us to celebrate our fellowship in love and spirit with sacred and mystical Sufi poetry (Farsi and English), meditation, whirling with live and recorded music, then close with prayer and zikr.
Open your heart! Listen! Turn, dance, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive!
Sliding scale donation requested: $15-25. No one is refused for lack of funds.
Register

Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Dr. Farima Berenji specializes in Iranian mystic traditions, Sufism, and women’s mystic rituals. She is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer and has been the recognized as one of the few world scholars of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden, the EU, and the UN. She has excelled in artistic and innovative forms of cultural preservation and has been recognized by the international press. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to research, lecture, perform, educate, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more…

Dance of the Soul
2025-12-06 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Astralab, 678 La Fayette Park Place, Los Angeles, 90057, United States
Discover the power and mystery of whirling as a gateway for self-growth and spiritual enlightenment through movement, music, and meditation. Inspired by nature, ancient Iranic rituals, the science of whirling, and the beautiful spiritual traditions of Sufism, join Farima to learn the essentials of whirling meditation including preparation, balance and posture, controlling dizziness, self-focus, breathwork, and more.
Whirling in the practice of devotion, healing, and meditation originated thousands of years ago with the ancient Persians using it as way of connecting the body and soul. Today, Sufis use it as a powerful meditation ritual with music, poetry, and movement. Based on this centuries-old Sufi ritual, whirling can unite mind, heart, and body.
In advance:

Please wear comfortable clothing and plan to wear socks or soft soled shoes.
Bring water.
Avoid eating a large meal 1-2 hours prior.

No experience necessary to begin participating. With help anyone can learn and master whirling techniques while respecting one’s own limitations.
Register
Dr. Farima Berenji
Farima Berenji Dr. Farima Berenji has an MA in Anthropology/Archaeology, MA in Iranian dance ethnology both from Cal State Hayward, and an M.Msc. and a PhD from the University of Sedona in Iranian metaphysics and mysticism, specializing in Iranian mystic traditions, Sufism, and women’s mystic rituals. She is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer and has been recognized as one of the few world scholars of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden, the EU, and the UN. Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective, Assistant Director and Program Director of Eastern Arts, founder of Dance of the SoulTM, advisory council member of Mosaic America, a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), National Folk Organization member, and the first Iranian-American woman TEDx lecturer and performer in the field of dance. She has excelled in artistic and innovative forms of cultural preservation and has been recognized by the international press. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to research, lecture, perform, educate, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more…

Sema Gathering
2025-12-06 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Astralab, 678 La Fayette Park Place, Los Angeles, 90057, United States
Join us in prayer for healing and peace, music, poetry, Iranian and ancient Mithraic whirling rituals, Yarsani Zikr and reading of Kalams (Zoroastrians, Iranic and Yarsani book of prayers and chanting). We will create a sacred, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us, relax and open our heart, body, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery of ancient dances and rituals – a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation– through movement, music, love, and stillness. Be moved by beautiful, sacred music.
During our Sema Gathering, Master Farima Berenji will lead Zikr, Sema, and other rituals and ceremonies. Join us to celebrate our fellowship in love and spirit with sacred and mystical Sufi poetry (Farsi and English), meditation, whirling with live and recorded music, then close with prayer and zikr.
Open your heart! Listen! Turn, dance, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive!

Farima Berenji
Dr. Farima Berenji specializes in Iranian mystic traditions, Sufism, and women’s mystic rituals. She is an award winning, internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer and has been the recognized as one of the few world scholars of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology. She is honored to be the first Iranian woman to direct a Persian dance company to perform during receptions for President Obama and President Biden, the EU, and the UN. She has excelled in artistic and innovative forms of cultural preservation and has been recognized by the international press. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to research, lecture, perform, educate, and inspire dynamic creativity and rejuvenation through dance and movement. Read more…
