Moving Meditations: Dances Of Universal Peace
The Benefits Of Dancing

I’d much rather be for something than against something else. I’d rather be pro-peace than anti-war. The Dances Of Universal Peace have given me a way of actively demonstrating peace, actually producing a bit  more peace, and sending it out to the world.

I admire people who can sit still for an hour and a half and do nothing, but a more active, moving meditation, like the Dances Of Universal Peace, is more my style. While engaging mind, heart and body, the simple mantric phrases and repeated group movements become automatic and somehow free the spirit to just be. At the same time, the focus on spiritual qualities attunes us to the Divine.

Because the dances are multi-cultural, they also encourage peace by actively honoring diversity. In the course of one evening, we may experience a Jewish dance, a Christian dance, Native American, Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim dances. Studies show that singing another culture’s songs reduces ethnic tensions among schoolchildren.[5] This increased tolerance of, and respect for, other cultures is part of what Brian Eno calls the “civilizational benefits” of singing in a group – the immersion of self into community that nurtures peace, connection and empathy.[6]

The purpose of the Dances Of Universal Peace is to provide a social context where none are excluded, all can participate, and each has the possibility of having their own direct experience of the divine, without divisive doctrines and dogma. Opportunities abound for people to meet and mingle with members of their own church, but where else can you participate in a healthy, spiritually-oriented activity with people of different faiths?

Murshid Samuel Lewis, the founder of these dances, looked for what all faiths have in common, not what divides them. He taught that there is only one reality, and that all religions are approaching this one reality in their own way. It is more important and more helpful to acknowledge that our neighbors are sincerely seeking goodness than it is to criticize their manner of seeking.

You don’t have to be a good singer or dancer to enjoy, and benefit from, the Dances Of Universal Peace. All skill levels are welcome. Like a yoga class, where everyone from the beginner to the advanced does the best they can to hold a posture, everyone who tries gets a benefit from showing up and participating.

When I first started singing, I was afraid of what others might think of my voice. I also feared that my dancing would look foolish. I’m thankful now that my fear didn’t hold me back. Robert Fulghum says that rather than fearing we may look foolish, we should fear the shrinking of life that comes with not learning new things and not taking chances. His goal now is “to dance all the dances as long as I can, and then sit down contented.”[7]

These are some of the reasons I thoroughly enjoy and whole-heartedly recommend the Dances Of Universal Peace: they’re fun, active, social, spiritual, healing, community-building, soul-nurturing, life-prolonging, peace-producing and very affordable. All Dances Of Universal Peace held by Moving Meditations operate on a donation basis, and no one is turned away for lack of funds. Typical donations range from $10 – 20.

By the way, the third activity reported to prolong life in that Scandinavian study is camping. I go to as many dance camps as I can each year in order to enjoy all three.