| The
Dances of Universal Peace are simple, meditative, uplifting group
dances that represent and integrate many of the world's spiritual
traditions, helping us to create peace and unity within and
without. Originating in the mystical Sufi tradition, the dances now
include sacred chants and movements inspired by Maori, Hindu,
Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Sufi, American Indian, Jewish, Christian,
Islamic, Goddess, Celtic, & Universal traditions.
Invite
your friends to join us in this summer evening circle of love. Men
& women of all faiths are invited to
participate. No experience
or partner is necessary.
Diana
Kanoy is
a certified dance leader with PeaceWorks International. kanoy8@alltel.net
www.DancesOfUniversalPeace.org
Suggested
Donation $5 - $10.
How to Dance
Excerpted from How to Dance — 11 Keys
written by
Murshid Wall Ali Meyer, 1988
Taken from Spiritual Dance and Walk —
An Introduction to the Dances of Universal Peace and Walking
Meditations of
Murshid Samuel L. Lewis
Here are some keys which will help the dancing be more meaningful
for you. To do even one or two of these will have a profound effect:
Listen —
Don't simply recite the sacred phrase. Listen to the other voices.
Listen to the person directing the dance. When you listen, your voice
automatically begin to harmonize. Find the center of the sound.
Feel — The
dances are designed to take us more and more into the
universe of feeling. Stay with your feeling. If you go off into the
world of thoughts, don't judge yourself; simply bring your
concentration back to feeling. The heart center, found in the middle of
the chest, is the natural place to begin.
|
Concentrate on the Sacred Phrase
— The sacred phrase, sometimes
referred to as Wazifa or Mantra, centers the dance. We all say this
together. The Grace of Allah/God can operate through the sacred phrase
if we are willing to receive it, to let it be. With each repetition,
feel the phrase touching your being in a deeper and deeper way.
Move Together
— Restrain the exuberant impulse to make an
individual expression. You will be amazed how much higher/deeper the
dances are when you use that same energy to harmonize with the others
in the circle. Feel your body fully. Then gradually, or suddenly,
become the whole circle.
Watch your Breath
— Breath is life. Breath is movement. Voice is
breath. Let breath breathe. Return to awareness of breath in silence
between dances. Notice the subtle changes in breath with each dance.
Ecstasy —
These dances can lead to states of ecstasy. Joyously
invigorating! In dances where you are brought to the center of the
circle, especially soar. But soar with your whole being. Taste all
planes at the same time. If your feet are grounded on the earth, then
your head can be in the heavens.
Devotion —
This is a grace. To willingly submit ourselves to
Allah/God in Whom we live, and move, and have our being. Hypocrisy may
be the only sin. How wonderful it is when we actually feel like bowing
in humility before the eternal truth. These dances can be worship: the
celebration of the Divine Presence.
Amin (ah-meen)
— These mean "so be it". We say this at the conclusion of many dances.
(Other phrases such as the Sanskrit Svaha, or the Native
American Ho, are also used. The important thing is not to say
it, but to mean it, to affirm with one's whole being.
Silence —
There may be a silent meditation before the dance
starts... As the sound and music of the dance stop, enter the Silence.
This is your opportunity to hear what has been created. In this silence
one can absorb the qualities evoked during the dance. This is the most
important part of the dance. It becomes all-encompassing. |
