Dancing Peacock Paradise

Dances of Universal Peace

"Nature's Generosity"

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Click to view entire album of 32 photos.

"There is no greater scripture than nature, for nature is life itself."

Dances of Universal Peace at Dancing Peacock Paradise

Dances from Native American, Maori, Sikh, Hindu, Jewish,
African, Mayan, Christian, & Sufi traditions
honoring blessings flowing from Nature.

Saturday, October 27th Dances at Peacock Paradise Nature's Generosity      Dances from African, Native American, Maori, Christian, Jewish, Mayan, Sikh, Hindu, & Sufi traditions, honoring blessings flowing from Nature.      Dancing at 3:00, absorbing natural beauty, enjoying a  potluck dinner together at the cottage, & sinking into deeper dances after twilight.                        $10 + potluck dish.  Please RSVP, & ask for directions, if needed. To spend the night, reserve ahead.

Ek Ong Kar   Inspired by the Sikh religion There is one God Truth is God’s Name Indescribable is God’s wisdom   Ek Ong Kar sat te Nam Siri Wah e Guru     Join hands,     walk Right     Repeat to left Siri Wah e guruji Siri Wah e guru     Spin Right,     arms lifted     Repeat to left 2nd cycle, swing arms 3rd  hands out joining 4th  hands on shoulders

Upcoming dances Sat. Oct 27 - Nature Sat. Nov. 24 – Thanksgiving Tues. Dec. 25 – Christmas Day  New Year’s Eve – Mon. Dec. 31 Global Peace Dance - UCG Gainesville FLRetreats@gmail.com www.PeacockParadise.org sign up for monthly e-newsletter www.DancesOfUniversalPeace.org www.Ruhaniat.org Nazar Blessing of Hazrat Inayat Khan O Thou, the Sustainer of our bodies, hearts & souls Bless all that we receive in thankfulness

Cultivating Sacred Connection through Mindful Conversation      At Peacock Paradise, besides dancing together, we have opportunities to commune with nature, & to converse with each other.  As we choose consciously how we talk & listen, our words & demeanor contribute to the sacred atmosphere.  Let our social & dinner conversation be relevant to our event, warmly revealing the timely & close, showing your interest in each person by your inclusiveness.      To keep our verbal exchanges gratifying during small group encounters, we can nurture our conversational abilities to learn about everyone present.  Let’s enjoy one another’s company & build relationships that we look forward to continuing month after month by:   1. Making brief eye contact with everyone, being conscious of non-verbal responses while talking; otherwise, listening attentively. 2. Keeping remarks brief & concise, giving others the opportunity to chime in without interrupting. 3. Being aware, positive & agreeable, showing enthusiasm with smiles & vocal inflection. 4. Drawing others in by name & by asking questions. 5. Avoiding contentiousness, criticism, complaints, & such topics as politics, problems, or people.  6. Being open-minded, finding the blessing in each circumstance & the good in each person.        Sufi Inayat Khan had this to say about conversation back in the early 1910’s:   Rhythm is the balance of speech and action. One must speak at the right time, otherwise silence is better than speech: a word of sympathy with the grief of another, & a smile at least when another laughs.  Never abruptly change the subject of conversation, but skillfully blend two subjects with a harmonious link. Also wait patiently while another speaks, & keep a rein on one's speech to avoid thought rushing out uncontrollably. . Cut on dotted line. Rotate 180 degrees. MIKE WATTS Introducing the Crew at Dancing Peacock Paradise   Behind the scenes at Peacock Paradise, there is always work going on, sometimes new projects, & often maintenance just to keep things going.  Before the monthly dances, we work especially hard to spruce things up & have them sparkling & beautiful for our guests.           Although Mike Watts is called the “yard man,” he is so much more.  His multiple skills & positive attitude have contributed to the on-going progress around here.  Among his skills are irrigation, plumbing, carpentry, painting, chain sawing, & fixing things.            You can see his work in the rabbitat, the deck, the new dock surface, the garden fence & beds, the solar shed, the cat diner, the solar shower, the apiary, the gutters & rain barrels, & so much more.            Before the dance weekends, it’s Mike that pressure washes the decks & gazebo, blows leaves off the labyrinth, & mucks the chicken coop, always with enormous strength & cheerfulness.           The Dances are a vital opportunity for deep exploration of who & what we are as individuals amidst so many apparent differences.         One way we learn about others and ourselves is to be quiet and listen to the other. When we suspend our inner agenda and really listen to another's place of experience, another point of view, we may find previously undiscovered resonance.             Shivadam

Inayat Khan left India to bring Sufism to the West in 1910 at the age of 27.  Growing up in a talented royal family, he achieved acclaim as his country’s foremost musician at an early age.  By the time he died at 43 he had traveled widely in Europe & America to spread the Message of Love, Harmony, & Beauty.   Samuel Lewis, originator of the Dances, called him the "teacher of my heart."   From his experience in the west, Hazrat Inayat Khan said:  "I see as clear as daylight that the hour is coming when woman will lead humanity to a higher evolution."        For a film preview of his life, see www.wayoftheheartfilm.com/index.php PATTI JACOBS My good friend & neighbor Patti, who is an artist, & owns a tree farm & organic blueberry farm off 199th St. Rd, has been a great blessing in helping clean the house, cottage, & out buildings.  She also gives advice on gardening, & on bird & wild animal identification.  One of her specialties is gluing back together the many dishes I break on the tile counters!            Without these two part-time “staff” members, Dancing Peacock Paradise would not be in the pristine condition you see it when you come.  Lest you think I am sitting on the dock drinking a mint julep & eating bon bons while they work, they can assure you that I am working on the computer, drawing plans for new buildings, taking care of the animals, planting the garden, making purchases, preparing the dances, & practicing the music when not working right along side them. The important thing is not to think much, but to love much;  And so, do that which best stirs you to love. Saint Teresa of Avila Music . will be provided by Clare Maher* on Dulcimer & Cello Nahid Salat on Drum DiAnahita on Guitar * Clare, visiting from Phialdelphia, has been playing cello & violin since childhood, performing in Pennsylvania, New England, & Florida .  She has provided music & danced at English & Scottish country dancing, international, & contra dancing.  She enjoys being in natural places like Peacock Paradise!

Please arrive before 3:00, if possible, so we may begin & deepen our energetic journey of sacred songs & practices together.

Come enjoy Nature, absorbing natural beauty, enjoying a potluck dinner together at the cottage, & sinking into deeper dances after twilight.

Take the time to see our new solar system and rain barrels.

Bring a generous dish to share of healthy food lovingly made by your own hands or chosen consciously to nourish the many people who attend.

Those who would like to spend Saturday night at Dancing Peacock Paradise may make reservations in advance. $25 includes breakfast. For directions from you locale, please email FLRetreats @ gmail.com

Music will be provided by

• Clare Maher on Dulcimer & Cello
• Nahid Salat on Drum
• DiAnahita on Guitar
• Isabel Barten on Accordian
• Sundari Rebecca Pethes on Harmonium
• David Willkomm on Percussion

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Click on photo to view or download entire album of 32 photos.

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.

September 22 - 'Dancing on the Equinox'
May 26 - 'Honoring Nature'
April 21 at Dancing Peacock Paradise
March 31 - 'All-Inclusive Reality'
February 18 - 'Affirming & Accepting Radiant Health'
January 28 - 'Light of the Goddess'

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