Vinn's Journal
January 2010 |
Today I am writing to you about the philosophy that grounds our practice of Soul Motion in the everyday dance. Throughout the years I have taken the points of view of Soul Motion practice out to the streets, to the work place, the community, and to family gatherings. Personally, this has always been, for me, the enlivened aspect of dance. It has been clear from my beginnings that dance was about communication, about speaking and hearing from Self, other, and spirit. Dance is a vehicle on a journey, a rhythmic odyssey traversing experiments and experiences from everyday exposures.
In the beginning was the word and that word was motion traveling through space. The philosophy of Soul Motion points to the ever- changing nature of the present moment in the everyday. Intimate everyday dance recognizes that whatever the scene, the circumstance, or the experience, there is a knowing that all conditions will move, morph and shift toward a newer reality. Count on it!
This viewpoint encourages a practice that will back entry into events we may have previously lunged head first into. Taking a step back to pause before acting from heat of the moment or whim of the second will lessen the chance of misstep. This step back can transform the heat of the moment to a light of understanding and empathy. Give permission to consider things like, “hmm…I am not certain about that, and I will get back to you”, or, “let me think about this and I will talk with you later”. Intimate everyday dance fosters an honest and thorough exploring of the state of my internal world using a step back toward the perimeter where viewing the center of any matter can become clearer and more objective.
This way of conducting a life accounts for a view of people, situations, and events from a broad circular view, a temenos of learning and teaching in the everyday. Recognize life as being multi-directional and work to have a view that is less linear in its’ approach. Recognize that life experience do not come as orderly and predictable as we would imagine or like them to be. Go for the unconditional acceptance of what is happening now. Political leanings, eating and lifestyle habits, religious and spiritual beliefs all provide excellent and immediate occurrences to walk the talk.
Communion everyday dance recognizes the oneness of our collective saga whatever our personal story. There is one life being lived, one song singing, and one dance dancing. Err on the side of gracious and generous even as we display discernment and possess preferences. Continue to embrace differences as details of a common ground of solidarity, not barriers to understanding. Vow to be happy rather than being right.
Embrace the mystic gaze and open to the outside with a soft approach inward. View the surroundings of any activity with equal attention as to the event, or situation itself. Know that people act from a desire to reach or maintain balance, regardless of how that balance is appraised. In any response to another, maintain a vision that sees the surrounding field of experience, engagement, and expectation. Continue viewing all persons in the everyday field of experience and downplay the tendency to isolate specific actions as the defining moment or sum total of any person.
Stay alert to the ways that thought and language continue to separate and isolate. Having to swerve in traffic to avoid a cell phone talker/driver can provide clear opportunities to see a bigger picture of the driver and notice our response. How do I continue to move along without taking personal affront? The way in which I pause to respond can become a source of inspiration that elevates my conduct in the everyday world of freeway driving.
Community everyday dancing presents opportunities to recognize our associations with the lives of our ever-widening circles of friends, relatives, and co-workers. Our way encourages a look to those who have gone before and those who will come after. Realize that our actions have been shaped by a lineage and will shape a succeeding one. There is no private good! Also, give respect to all teachers, for the time, talent, and energy they have put into our development as transcending functioning people. Make efforts to find ways to serve. Remain humbled and appreciative of our abundant lives and seek ways to give back to communities in the way of selfless service. We are enough. We are necessary.