Dances of Universal Peace - A Brief History
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Dances of Universal Peace uses meditative circle dances and walks
to create peace within and without. The dances are accompanied with singing
and chanting of divine names and sacred phrases from a variety of spiritual traditions.
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The Dances were created by
Samuel Lewis, a Sufi teacher who was also a Zen
Master. His religious quest also drew strongly on the mystical
traditions of Hinduism, Judaism and Christianity.
”Now, with all the fun we’re having, I’m
trying to teach spirituality. I can forgive you if you don’t agree
with me on anything, but if when we do the dancing you don’t take it
as spiritual, the whole thing falls down. We’re making no attempt to
make dancers out of you, but as you elevate in your own personality
you begin to find it’s easier for you to dance and to do things you
couldn’t do before – even when you tried. Something happens inside
the person.”
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Samuel Lewis' teacher was Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid
Inayat Khan. Hazrat Inayat Khan was an accomplished Indian musician.
He dedicated his early life to the mastery of the subtle intricacies
of classical Indian music under the tutelege of his grandfather
Moula Baksh, a musical giant who had integrated the Hindustani and
Karnatic musical traditions of Northern and Southern India.
A
sample of his music
Hazrat Inayat Khan came to the West at the urging
of his Sufi teacher, Sayyed Muhammad Abu Hashim Madani. Madani
specifically instructed him to harmonize East and West with the
music of his soul.
”Where
does music come from? Where does the dance come from? It all comes
from that natural and spiritual life that is within ...... music
touches our innermost being and in that way produces new life, a
life that gives exaltation to the whole being, raising it to that
perfection in which lies the fulfillment of human life.“
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In creating the Dances of Universal Peace, Samuel Lewis was
inspired by
Ruth
St. Denis. Ruth was an innovative modern dancer who incorporated
dance movements from a variety of traditions in her performances.
Video about Ruth St Dennis
"The dance of the future will no longer be concerned with
meaningless dexterities of the body…Remembering that [we are]
indeed the microcosm, the universe in miniature, the Divine
Dance of the future should be able to convey with its slightest
gestures some significance of the universe…As we rise higher in
the understanding of ourselves, the national and racial
dissonances will be forgotten in the universal rhythms of Truth
and Love. We shall sense our unity with all peoples who are
moving to that exalted rhythm."
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