Part 3 Addendum (Click here for conclusion)

A Prelude to Meditation:

The Dance

    It is not necessary to do “the dance” prior to meditating, so I put it after the meditation technique rather than first.  Another reason is that you might feel silly doing it, even in private.  But, I do find that it serves as a wonderful method to make any meditation a deeper one.

      American Indians, as well as other tribes throughout the world, perform ritual dancing in order to achieve a higher state of awareness.  These dances are actually a celebration of life (and sometimes a celebration of needs) and join the body, mind and soul together in harmony by aligning them with the currents of the universe.  For this reason martial arts experts do a form of “dance” that sharpens their reflexes and hones their body to peak performance.  These rituals are conducive to well being. 

    The “dance” seems to tune (or align) our body with the natural rhythms of the universe.  Also, it somehow seems to  heightening our sensitivity to the spiritual forces surrounding us.  Spiritual sensitivity is always an aid to healing.

I first discovered the dance around 1962 or ‘63 when I was in the navy and stationed in Okinawa.  I happened to walk by an open air studio where karate was being taught.  The building had sliding doors that were open on all four sides, so I was able to see the group practice session without going in.

    The session consisted of performing rhythmic movements with hands and feet while keeping muscles flexed and tight.  The participants would make circular motions with hands and feet, then suddenly make movements as if they were blocking an assailant’s blow, then strike out with either a hand or foot.  They were all moving in unison.  It struck me that what they were doing required deep concentration, but I couldn’t see that it had much use as far as fighting was concerned.  Far too slow.

    Later, in the privacy of my own room, I started imitating the motions they had gone through.  Not because I wanted to be a karate fighter, but because I thought keeping the muscles flexed and tight while moving was good exercise for keeping in shape. 

    A few years later I learned to meditate.  Then several more years passed and, for some reason, one evening I did the “dance” prior to starting meditation.  Boy, what a difference it made in the depth of that meditation.  It was like I had tapped into a well of understanding.  From that time on the dance became a regular part of my meditation routine. 

    It is extremely difficult to describe hand and foot motions, but I  will attempt to explain what I do, anyway.  The most important thing for you to realize is this: it isn’t important that you imitate me.  What is important is that your body flow with the natural rhythms of the universe.  (Once you start it comes naturally, so don’t worry about it.)

    I usually start by facing north, barefooted if possible, (socks are OK, as are shoes, if the situation warrants).  In a very formal and serious manner, with my hands at my side, I inhale deeply as I make a sweeping, upward motion, bringing my hands together, palms facing, in an out-stretched position above my head.  I pause for a second, then I bring my hands down in front of my face, still together in the classical, formal prayer position, (the fingers are not interlaced) and stop with my fingers just under, and touching my chin.

     Holding my breath, I then bow from the hips, keeping my back straight, and looking down.  After a second or two, I exhale as I straighten up with my palms still touching.  Rhythmically I push my hands straight out in front of me.  This naturally pulls the palms apart while the thumbs and the first fingers are still touching. 

    When my arms are straight out in front of me, I stretch like I am trying to extend them even further, and, while stretching, I swing my arms out to the side, keeping the palms facing outward.  (You should feel your chest muscles pull while this is being done, and your arms will end up straight out from your side with the palms parallel with the wall.)

    With a quick motion, I flip my hands so the palms are facing up, tightening my muscles as though I were pushing up against a downward pressure.  Then, in a rapid motion, I bring my palms together over my head and bring them down in the prayer position once more.

    From this point on it varies.  Let your inner self direct you.  The important thing is to remain fluid and graceful while keeping the muscles tense.  I do a lot of twisting, bowing, stretching, gliding across the floor, one leg raising (I’d like to see you raise both while standing) and squatting.  In other words, if it is done in aerobics, it will be probably be done in the dance.

    The movements are similar to aerobics with three basic differences:

1.   The dance won’t leave you winded.

2.   The dance moves to the currents of the universe, not to the tempo of music.

3.   The attitude is different.

    Attitude is the most important aspect of the dance.  You begin by feeling a holy presence within you, guiding you through the movements.  There is nothing like it and no way I know of to bring you into awareness and contact with God better than doing this dance.  But, it has to come naturally and cannot be forced.  It must be flowing and rhythmic.

    No one taught me to do it.  I just saw a group of people moving and it looked nice.  Now you know as much as I do and that same holy spirit will guide you that guided me.

    Do it alone and in private.  Do it where you intend to meditate.  Go from the dance immediately into meditation.

    One last thing about the dance.  Though I usually do not do it to music, I have tried it.  Some space music and/or new age music seems to work moderately well.  The problem with using music is that the mood often changes in the middle of a piece, having a dramatic effect on what happens to you as a result.  Music that includes natural sounds, (birds, water and wind) seems to be best.  All in all, I prefer no music, as the music has a definite effect on the direction and mood of the meditation.

    I have described the dance as a part of meditation.  Natives of all cultures have performed variations of the dance using costumes and drums at a faster and a more feverish pitch to bring rain, win wars, obtain peace and to hunt successfully.  The dance, whether done as a solo or as a group has always caused the body to reach beyond itself by heightening the psyche.

    Happy dancing!