Discovering and Exploring "Dances of Universal Peace"
Discovering & Exploring "Dances of Universal Peace"
I first learned about "Dances of Universal Peace" when I was studying at Unity
Village and a classmate who was used to participating invited a group of us to attend
and participate in "Dances." They were being held in an area of Kansas City, MO so
we went there. I discovered circle dances which were accompanied by guitar etc.
and chanted/sung in various languages.
We first walked the floor in a circle and then formed a circle holding hands, palms up
on one side and down on the other. There were times we dropped hands, formed a second
circle or did separate movements. The movements were taught as as well as the chant/songs.
Everyone was involved and it turned out that "Dances" were international, so no matter
where you were in the world, "Dances" were the same songs and movements.
I especially liked one of them. It has very simple movement and begins either with a
partner mirroring or by yourself, with arms up and then bringing them out in a "rainbow"
image, "Thy light is in all being," and then bringing the arms into the chest and then out,
"Thy love is in all form," and then bowing with hands in prayer position on both sides and
saying "Peace" and then either to yourself or in a double circle, moving on to a new partner
and beginning a new mirroring, you do another bowing "Peace" with your hands in prayer at
the center of your body.
Christina, my friend from Canda and I went to "Dances" there and then when I
returned to Wisconsin, I introduced a number of friends to "Dances" as we discovered
that"Dances of Universal Peace" were held in Madison in an old Synagogue. Before that I
had attended a "Dances" held by a couple from Milwaukee and in this case, at Lake Geneva,
WI. I was thrilled since a new friend was Chumash, an almost extict tribe in California, that
one of the "Dances" they led was done in Chumash and called my friend to tell her. Later I
also attended a workshop in Madison, WI given my Neil Douglas-Klotz regarding his
"Dances with the Aramaic Jesus" for the "Lord's Prayer" and others.
I continued to do "Dances" wherever and whenever possible. It is an amazing Spiritual
experience which is sometimes called "body prayer." And it combines circular movement
with chanting/singing plus creating community. At a Peacemaking Weekend sponsored by
a group in which I was a part, I invited the Madison,WI group to come and teach and they
came so others could learn and enjoy it, too. When I was in Washington state, one of the
religious groups began to offer it there.
I highly suggest checking it out during 2021! Look under "Dances of Universal Peace"
to find the one nearest to where you are staying, visiting etc. and join a unique community.
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