Dances of Universal Peace today was in a community center in a valley in northwest Arkansas. We had to build a fire in the wood burning stove, for it was quite cold. Two ladies showed up--both on the spiritual path and Dance path for years. It is hard to do even simple circle dances with so few, because you tend to get dizzy, so we started out with walks--and then with the Dances we tended to do ones where we didn't have to hold hands.

Spirit was evident and quite present as we merged from individuals to basically elements of One Being doing the Dance. One of the ladies is tone deaf, and usually sings way off key; today she was nearly right on every note, something this audio sensitive person picks up on quite readily.

We danced until my hands got cold (I forgot to bring gloves), and then stood by the fire discussing the concept of "surrender". My Sufi sister who shares my birth name said it meant letting go of the everyday and just Being. My husband said it meant accepting what happens to you as a gift. My other sister who was there and I agreed it was a process, started by forgiveness-forgiveness of others, of self, of everyone involved in a situation-so you could get beyond to the place of Being.

And then we danced a Rumi Dance, a new one to me, about snow melting and self melting away that segued into zikr and zikr and silent walking as if we were the Buddha, gently walking our path with compassion, radiating that compassion--and the strength of compassion-to all sentient beings, especially those working for peace. And I saw Dennis Kucinich's face and smiled as we began the Om Mani Padme Hung chant.

The energy sustained us, despite the cold. Allowed my husband to drum for us through his pain. We were there, Being. For ourselves, and for each other, and for those who were not there.


Peace.