Dances of Universal Peace, 7-19-26
CSL Olympia is hosting the Dances of Universal Peace
on the third Sunday of the month: July 19th
On July 19, Special Guest leader Hassan Paul Swanson from the Seattle area will lead Zikr, a Sufi practice of “Remembrance.”
Zikr has much in common with the Dances of Universal Peace — moving meditations to sung sacred phrases. Zikr generally uses Arabic phrases, such as the one included in the Five Pillars of Islam: “La illaha il allahu,” which means, from a Sufi perspective, “There is no reality but the one being” of which we all are a part. While the Dances take some time to introduce the words and meaning of a sacred phrase, and then instruction in the movements, in Zikr, there are just a few phrases, and the movements tend to be simple and repetitive. This simplicity allows the dancer to sink into the heart and remember the essential inner unity of all outward phenomena.
Live music. All dances are taught to the whole group each time; no experience necessary. Come alone or bring a friend! Donation requested $5 – $15, no one turned away for lack of funds.
Please join us after the service on Sunday from 12:30 to 2:00 pm for Dances of Universal Peace, an embodied, transformative spiritual practice that touches the essence of all traditions around the world. They include simple movements to live music. All are welcome, no experience is necessary, and dances are taught to the whole group each time. We hope you will come and lift your voice, your hands, and your spirit as we allow a variety of dances to work within our hearts, just as yeast works within a loaf of bread.
Donations are appreciated!
For more information, visit their new website: olypeacedances.org.
The Dances of Universal Peace were developed in the mid-20th century but are based on ancient practices from the Sufi, Hindu, and Christian traditions. They incorporate simple movements and songs (chants) that touch our Spiritual essence and can bring us into a meditative state.
This practice is done in community with a leader to teach the movement and words, and musicians to play acoustic instruments and a hand drum.
View a video of the dances.
“The Dances of Universal Peace and Walking Concentrations are spiritual practice in motion. Drawing on the sacred phrases, scripture, and poetry of the many spiritual traditions of the earth, the Dances blend chant, live music and evocative movement into a living experience of unity, peace and integration. This taste of our true nature – as Universal Peace – opens the possibility of a deep spiritual revolution within the person.”
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