April 2012

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Dances of Universal Peace

"Dancing on the Equinox"

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Dancing Peacock Paradise, 22 September 2012
Click here or on group photo to view complete album from this event.
The Heavens
are made within the
Human Being

Most prescientific peoples developed a cosmology that explained human existence as seamlessly interwoven into the workings of the universe. Previous societies held the celestial bodies in great reverence, yet were also on an intimate footing with them.   Ancient peoples regarded the sky as inhabited by Sky People, deities, departed ancestors, or simply forces. The Sky People or powers  were  thought  to impose order on chaotic  human  affairs
What's Happening at
Peacock Paradise


Solar Energy
Solar panels are being installed on the roof at Peacock Paradise to provide power & more independence & sustainability.
What is Peace Dancing?
  www.liveatlava.com
 The Dances of Universal Peace are circle dances inspired by many world spiritual traditions. But it really is our human DNA speaking to us in song & harmony.  Basically, up until us everyone danced in a circle!  Evidence in the Bible & ancient middle eastern texts suggests that early Christians would circle up & dance. Many traditions today still do it today. You can feel, when you join the circle, something in your soul says, "Yes!" You can feel the rhythm & movement while seeing the friendly faces across from you.
 
Exactly what do we do?
Everyone gathers in a circle around a few musicians & a leader. The leader sings a simple song such as a melodic mantra in another language.
·        Sometimes it's so simple we can just join right in. Like, "Alleluia." We get that one pretty easily! 
·        Sometimes it's a little more complex, like “
Ishk Allah mabud lillah" so it takes a moment to learn the words,meaning, & tune.
We might learn a bit of history & culture from its origins & then we dance together!  You feel the difference in participating rather than observing. Sometimes we are soft & quiet & internal;  sometimes we are rocking our hearts out!  Together, in the movement & harmony.


Suggested Donation $10 + $5 if you choose not to bring a dish. 
Peacock Paradise is a spiritual retreat center.  No alcohol, smoke, drugs or pets.

Dances will be led
by DiAnahita
accompanied by Musicians including
Mike Felisko
on Guitar
& Patrick Harrigan on Shruti Box
"These dances first came in visions at night with no explanations."
Murshid S.A.M.

Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
Dancing Peacock Paradise

Attending?

Please RSVP.



Dancing on the Equinox On this date, night & day are nearly the same length – 12 hours –  all over the world.  It is an astronomical event when the sun is at zenith over the Equator.
  This year’s  Autumnal Equinox  occurs on  September 22  at  2:49 PM
                          just before we will begin to dance! 

Schedule
                    2:00 – 2:45   Arrival & Enjoying Nature
                    3:00 – 5:00   Dances of Universal Peace
                   5:00 – 6:00   Socialize, Walk, Boat, Food setup
                    6:00              Potluck Dinner at the cottage
                    7:00             Zikr
                    8:30             Desserts

Featured Dance
Ancestors, sky people
Song composed by Harmony Grisman
Movements by Sharee Anderson

 
          Ancestors, sky people          Join hands in circle...
                    
all here today           side-step R, hands rising slowly
          Hear my heart song             Stop.  Hands to heart, looking up
          Hear my respect                 Bow center, hands in prayer mudra
          Hear my love                      Arms & face lift up
          Hear my grateful tears fall    Hands come down moving
                                                   fingers like rain, spinning slowly R
          I am truly blessed                Face 1st partner, holding hands, 180 turn
          You are truly blessed            2nd partner, same
          We are truly blessed            3rd partner, same,
                                                   Open to circle, join hands to begin again

Honoring Our Ancestors
Murshid Samuel Lewis
Murshid Samuel Lewis

    The originator of the Dances of Universal Peace was was a life-long seeker:  he studied and mastered many spiritual paths,  and was the first American-born Sufi master. Committed to world peace
and understanding through face-to-face meetings of people of different cultures, and exchanges in the arts & agriculture, he was a "citizen diplomat" long before the phrase was invented. "Eat, Dance & Pray Together" was his peace plan. In September we will dance two of his original dances: “Introductory Bismillah” and "Kalama.” Dancing these practices is a direct journey into the Baraka (Blessing) of this great teacher, Murshid SAM.


Community Comments

     Hi Diana,  I am at a DUP workshop here [in Arizona] with  some  rookie  leaders.
Ah me . . .  you, & the lovely Madison, WI, folks I learned from, have spoiled me. 
 I miss you so. . .Hugs, Talia


Your responses to our news letter are invited by REPLY

 
Dances of Universal Peace
Florida Fall Retreat
Fri–Sun, Nov 2–4, 2012
Featuring our very own
Florida Dance Leaders:

Majida Short (above), Jemila Felisko,
Haqqiqa McRee, Katya & Tom Taylor, Hakim Greentree, & Anahita Kanoy
Register by Sept. 21 $150
Contact Lynn McRee
18 Phillips, St Aug 32084 

lyndeluke @ msn.com
(352) 870-8558
Our line-up for Sept includes Dances inspired by Hindu, Native American, Nigerian, Jewish, Islamic & Sufi traditions. Each mantra, melody, & movement will be taught in an easy manner to learn. 
Yoruba Planting Song (African)
Ishay Olu-wa Kole Baje Oh!
Kole Baje Oh!  Kole Baje Oh!
Holy, Holy, Holy  (Hebrew)
Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, Shemayim
Equinox

Mankind has followed the cycles of the Sun for millennia. Stone circles, dating back more than 3,000 years, are aligned to Solstices & Equinoxes.


Be Vibrant

Like the Sun!
"Sing like a Bird,
Dance like a Peacock,
Smile like a child,
& be Vibrant like a Sun."

Guru Maa-ji


In Yin-Yang, a well-known of Taoist visual symbol, the circle represents the undifferentiated Unity from which all existence arises. The black & white halves denote primordial feminine & masculine energies whose interplay gives birth to the manifest world. The two intertwined halves demonstrate balance – in this case of light & dark.
KHATUM
Hazrat Inayat Khan
O Thou, Who art the Perfection of Love,
Harmony, & Beauty
The Lord of Heaven & Earth
Open our hearts, that we may hear Thy Voice
which constantly cometh from within
Disclose to us Thy Divine Light, which is hidden in our souls
that we may know & understand Life better
Most Merciful & Compassionate God
Give us Thy great Goodness; Teach us thy loving Forgiveness;
Raise us above the distinctions & differences that divide.
Send us the Peace of Thy Divine Spirit
And unite us all in
Thy Perfect Being

"Dancing Peacock Paradise is an amazing space to deepen dance practice. It is very beautiful and inviting, an experience not to be missed. I have spent wonderful, magical days here over the years and cherish all. I look forward to returning."
-Sophia Shunny
Silver City, New Mexico

Dances of Universal Peace honor religious traditions of the world by chanting phrases from holy scriptures & oral traditions.

Everything is taught in the moment as we join our voices together.

Florida Fall Dances of Universal Peace Retreat

Friday evening, November 2 - Sunday morning, November 4, 2012

  • Dances of Universal Peace
  • Morning Meditations
  • Live Music
  • Zikr
  • Yoga
  • Community

Led by our own Florida leaders!
Experience the variety of styles and diversity of Dances!

Haqqiqa Lynn McRee, Majida Tamara Short, Jemila Felisko, Susan Slack, Hakim Greentree, Katya & Tom Taylor, and DiAnahita Kanoy

  • Amazingly reasonable fee
  • Includes accommodation in nice cabins
  • Friday & Saturday nights, all Saturday's meals, & Sunday breakfast
  • Before Oct 12: $150
  • After Oct 12: $200

More info:
email lyndeluke 'at' msn.com
or call (352) 870-8558
Or sign up in person at the Peacock Paradise Sept 22nd Dance
Or download signup form here.

Recent Dance Events

May 2012 at Dancing Peacock Paradise