How simple… the dance
The nuts and bolts are so simple! What happens is that everyone gathers in a circle (or two, or three) around a few musicians and a leader. The leader sings a very simple song which is often a mantric phrase in another language.
- Sometimes it’s so simple we can just join right in. Like, “Alleluia.”
- Sometimes it’s a little more complex, so the leader takes time to teach the words and tune.
We learn what the words mean, and possibly a bit of history and culture from it’s origins. Then it’s on to the movements:
- This too can be very simple: Like walk to the left, to the right, and then spin.
- Sometimes its more complex, and we take a few moments to learn.
Then the music starts and we dance together! We become a moving musical instrument. You feel the difference in participating in music rather than observing. Sometimes we are soft and quiet and inner. Sometimes we are rocking our hearts out! Always we are together, free in the movement and harmony.
Anyone is welcome to join us. You don’t need to bring a partner, or have any special skill or background. One of the gifts of this practice is allowing the circle to carry you when you need assistance. The more open and relaxed you are, the more you can receive!
Sometimes it’s just fun!
Below is a dance from the Hindu tradition celebrating Om Gum Ganapatiyyeih … the elephant headed energy which opens paths and removes obstacles.
Dance Space
The Mystic Dance Caravan Community has our own 30 foot dance tent so we often dance in the beautiful outdoors.
Reflection from a first time Dancer:
“The weekend retreat with Universal Dances was everything I expected and more. What one gets at this retreat is a loving social atmosphere where others accept you as you are. One feels initiated into the reality of connecting with other people, not by hearing an academic lecture of the benefits, but by looking at new friends in the eye with a smile, holding hands while dancing, breathing together while singing, and chatting while eating and cleaning together. Some of the dancing is just for fun and some dancing brings in more symbolic gestures that remind us that we share the same earth plane, air, water, and life’s misfortunes. There are dances representing different faith traditions and cultures but all are easily learned. The live musicians and dance leaders are passionate, talented and weave a beautiful tapestry with each person adding their own colorful thread to the shared masterpiece. Come for the sociality, come for the food, come for the music and dancing. Come.” Leslie
“The best way to develop strength is to achieve unity. This comes out of the practice of concentration. Concentration need not be limited to a few minutes a day or week or when one performs some exercise given in the teachings. Concentration may be practiced every hour, every minute, every breath — especially through Darood. Then one does not have to seek unity, unity will seek one.”
(Sufi Ahmed Murad Christi – Sufi SAM)
This is the Heart Sutra, which contains the core teachings of Buddhism
Gate, Gate, Paragate, Para Sam gate, Bodhi svaha
Gone, Gone, Gone beyond Gone utterly beyond
Oh what an Awakening
Gate means gone. Gone from suffering to the liberation of suffering. Gone from forgetfulness to mindfulness. Gone from duality into non-duality.
Gate gate means gone, gone.
Paragate means gone all the way to the other shore. So this mantra is said in a very strong way.
In Parasamgate sam means everyone, the sangha, the entire community of beings. Everyone gone over to the other shore.
Bodhi is the light inside, enlightenment, or awakening. You see it and the vision of reality liberates you.
And svaha is a cry of joy or excitement, like “Welcome!” or “Hallelujah!”
We frequently begin our circle with this invocation from Inayat Khan, expressing our movement toward Unity.
Toward the One,
The perfection of Love, Harmony, and Beauty.
The only being, united with all the illuminated souls,
who form the embodiment of the master, the Spirit of Guidance.