A devotional circle of rhythm, sound, and remembrance
The Assembly of Lovers is a bi-weekly group practice rooted in Sufi tradition: an evening of chanting, rhythm, silence, and shared remembrance. It is not a performance or a lecture. The circle exists because people sit in it and practice side by side.
Who it is for
Some who come have practiced for years and know this tradition well. Some are simply curious and have never sat in a circle like this. Some grew up inside Islam or another tradition and carry a complicated relationship with it, whether that is distance, hurt, doubt, or something harder to name. All of you are welcome here, wherever you are.
Above all, this is not a space of judgment. People arrive from different backgrounds, and some will be more familiar with all of this than others. No one is measuring how much you know, how you pray, or where you stand with faith.
A note on language
In the circle we use words and phrases from the Islamic tradition, such as Allah and Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim, and many more. We also speak of God, the Divine, the Beloved, the One. You do not have to believe anything in particular to take part, and you do not need to know the words beforehand. You will be guided.
What to expect
We gather, settle into the circle, and set a brief intention for the evening. From there, we move into roughly an hour of simple, repetitive chants accompanied by drum. You can take part with your voice, your breath, your hands, or simply your presence. After the chanting, we rest together in 5 minutes of silence, with no guidance and no expectation. We close with a brief blessing and gratitude.
Some evenings may feel deeply moving. Others may feel quiet or ordinary. We come to practice being present enough to experience ourselves more directly, with a little less of the mind standing between us and what is here.
What to bring
If you play an instrument, please bring it. Frame drums, medicine drums, and other hand drums are welcome, along with other instruments you feel at home with. We follow what the night asks for, and if it calls for it, we will make room to play.
If you do not play, your breath and presence are more than enough. Wear something comfortable that you can sit, breathe, and move in.
Details
Length: 60-90 minutes
When: Nov 9th at 7PM
Where: Montclair Friends Meeting. 289 Park Street, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043Montclair, NJ, 07042
Contribution: Sliding scale donation $20–$40 (no one will be turned away)
Who This Circle Is For
• People who feel a subtle spiritual longing
• Those tired of abstract talk and want something embodied and real
• Those who value sincerity more than belief
• Those seeking connection, stillness, and presence
• Anyone who wants a devotional practice without dogma
Who This Circle Is Not For
• Those looking for a class, peak experience, or quick insight
• Those uncomfortable with sacred language
• Those who need intellectual clarity before participating
If you can sit with not knowing and let the rhythm carry you, you will feel at home here.
FAQs
1. I’ve never chanted or drummed before. Can I still come?
Yes. Most people who join have never done this before. The chants are simple and easy to follow, and the circle itself will hold the rhythm. This is not a performance or class, it’s about presence, not perfection.
2. Do I need to be Muslim, Sufi, or follow any tradition to join?
Not at all. The Assembly of Lovers is open to everyone, regardless of background or belief. The language we use is devotional, but what matters is sincerity, not identity.
3. What if I’m not comfortable with religious language or words like “Divine” or “Beloved”?
You’re welcome to come with whatever openness feels real to you. The words are ancient symbols pointing toward something beyond them, you don’t have to “believe” anything to be moved by rhythm, sound, and silence.
4. What happens during the gathering?
We begin with a short opening intention, then move into chanting and drumming for about 30–40 minutes. Afterward, we sit together in silence, letting the sound settle. The evening closes with a simple blessing and gratitude.
5. Why chanting and drumming?
Rhythm and repetition have always been used by mystics and seekers to quiet the mind and awaken the heart. In this circle, the drum becomes the heartbeat of the group, a way to remember something deeper than thought.
6. Is this like meditation or therapy?
Not quite. It can feel meditative, but it’s not a guided process or a method for relaxation. It’s a space of remembrance, a way to return to what’s real beneath ideas and emotions.
7. What should I bring?
If you have a drum (medicine drum, frame drum, ceremony drum, or similar), bring it. If not, bring your breath and your presence. That’s enough.
8. What if I feel shy about singing in front of others?
You won’t be alone. Many people begin softly, and over time the circle draws everyone in. The beauty of this gathering is that no single voice stands out, we blend into one sound.
9. How often does this happen?
The Assembly of Lovers meets twice each month. The circle deepens with each gathering as we build a living rhythm together.
10. What kind of people come to this?
Artists, seekers, teachers, neighbors, and those who simply feel something stirring in them that they can’t quite name. The only requirement is the willingness to sit in sincerity.