We continue our theme this month of “Give Me a Word” through the practice of dance.
I invite you into a movement practice. Allow yourself just 5-10 minutes this day to pause and listen and savor what arises.
- Begin with a full minute of slow and deep breathing. Let your breath bring your awareness down into your body. When thoughts come up, just let them go and return to your breath. Hold your word for 2014 gently in your awareness, planting a seed as you prepare to step into the dance. You don’t need to think this through or figure it out, just notice what arises.
- Play the piece of music below (“Naked” by Anoushka Shankar) and let your body move in response, without needing to guide the movements. Listen to how your body wants to move through space in response to your breath. Remember that this is a prayer, an act of deep listening. Pause at any time and rest in stillness again. Sit with waiting for the impulse to move and see what arises.
- After the music has finished, sit for another minute in silence, connecting again to your breath. Just notice your energy and any images rising up.
- Is there a word, phrase, or image that could express what you encountered in this time? (You can share about your experience, or even just a single word in the comments section below or join our Holy Disorder of Dancing Monks Facebook group and post there.)
- If you have time, spend another five minutes journaling in a free-writing form, just to give some space for what you are discovering.
- To extend this practice, sit longer in the silence before and after and feel free to play the song through a second time. Often repetition brings a new depth.
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5 Responses
‘Peace’ was spoken into my spirit, ‘I AM with you my child, my daughter’ as the back visual of me leaning into Yeshua’s side with His arm embracing my shoulder and holding me resting against Him as we walked forward together…
the att’d art reminds me of the scene except I was a young girl in a dress and small beside the Lord – and it was just the 2 of us..
I sat with my word Home. After lifting my heart up, I felt compelled to put my hands on my belly. Creativity is important to me. My belly began to swell up like a globe, pregnant with possibility. I rocked into the experience, and finally lifted my hands up to complete the experience as the music came to a close. In the silence that followed, I began to contemplate the blue sorrow that often still accompanies connection with myself. I remembered a recent imaging experience where a cloud of sorrow, met with the light of joy, blended into a rainbow. This brought peace and hope in, so that I didn’t feel bound by the sorrow — but able to let the range of colors in.
Thank you.
so lovely Karen – thank you for sharing this part of your joy..
Helo, Christine!
My words for the the Year is : Harmony of body, mind and spirit with Dancing the Tango with God!
Thank you for this beautiful meditation dance music and “taking the time” to dance!
Thank you so much!
Mimi
Hello Christine,
Happy New Year 2014 !. I hope you are enjoying your new Irish home.
Thankyou for this delightful new dance invitation and practice.
I love Anoushka Shankar’s work and this is a glorious piece of music !
I look forward to continuing sharing these moving meditations with you and
everyone at Abbey of the Arts.
May I offer you a musical suggestion for your evolving dance meditations too ?
Also for your JOY my, “Listen to the Voice” is a Free Download Gift track for members of the Naked Voice mailing list. http://www.thenakedvoice.com ENJOY !
Thankyou for your continuing inspiration,
Love Light and Blessings, Chloe
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