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=================== In this Issue --->Quote of the Month
--->Contemplation: On Smooth Movement
--->Course: Spiritual Bellydance in NYC * 2/20 – 3/27
--->Course: NYC Spring Intensive
--->Retreat: Sensual Alchemy, Spiritual Bellydance at Kripalu * 4/23-28
--->Reading recommendation
--->Testimonial of the Month
======================= Quote of the Month “It is important to suppress the energetic activity of your intellect, which always tries to overwhelm you whenever you settle down to contemplation, because unless you keep it under control. It will suppress you!”
-- Author of The Cloud of Unknowing, 14th century English Christian mystic ======================= On Smooth Motion I walked down the street today, aware of vigor in my bones and blood. My lungs welcomed the still-nippy air, a sure sign that the spell of winter hibernation was cracking away. I saw also that I’d arrived on the other shore internally. Since the Winter Movement Monastery I’d been in a sweet interior mood that was matched by a gentleness in my daily pace. This worked well at retreat, but was at odds with New York City’s frenetic ways when I returned home. I decided not to fight the dissonance but just to feel it. As the days passed I felt myself gradually pull away from the sensitive interiority of retreat mode. It was like watching fog dissolve. And today I knew I’d completely returned to normal city life. This is not an unusual process for so many of us who retreat to study or recuperate. The return is always full of transitional effort. There is a practice in the Dancemeditation work called Continuous Flow. Very simply, it is moving at a moderately slow pace without any break in the motion – as a snake might move. The practice makes one’s blank spots apparent. In order to smooth out the motion, it helps to slow the pace so you can feel where you are missing connection to the flow. I love this practice and work often with it. In general slow movement practices help me to feel the entirety of my motion, not just the extreme parts. As I walked down the street today, aware that I was finally back fully ‘in the world’, I felt happy at the seamless transition. No bumps. No angst. I simply flowed day-by-day towards the new harmony. I used to rush this process because I felt uncomfortable with dissonance. How wonderful this time to not interfere. Slow continuous motion has taught me how to flow smoothly in my days.
--Dunya Dianne McPherson ======================= Course: MONDAY NIGHT SPIRITUAL BELLYDANCE
Date & Time: Feb 20th – March 27th * 6:15-7:45pm
Location: Panetta Movement Center, 214 W. 29th Street, Suite 1001, 10th fl, NYC Some technique (use your mind), some luscious Sufi bellydance (lose your mind). A class to unwind, loosen up, energize your organs and bones, and dance for pleasure. Learn Dunya\'s excellent improv skills. Danced ornamental design * Mudra meditations in the Void * Infinite pelvic vibration * Oceanic spine * Veil dance (so bring your veil each week). Registration:
Series: Drop-in: $20
Credit Card: Monday Night Spiritual Bellydance.
By Check: made to: ‘Dervish Society of America’
& mail to Dunya, 250 Elizabeth St. #7, NY NY 10012
INFO: 212-226-2114
======================= Seminar: NYC SPRING INTENSIVE For three consecutive weekends in March training focuses on dervish practices for healing and transformation that come from the breath and return to the heart. Also cleansing dietary support. Dates: March 11/12, 18/19 & 25/26
Times: Saturday 2-8pm & Sunday 10am-4pm
Cost: $360 by 3/1; $420 after
Registration: Because space is limited, participation is by permission, please call 212-226-2114 or email to register for this course.
NYC Spring Intensive. ======================= Retreat: Sensual Alchemy, Spiritual Bellydance at Kripalu, April 23-28 Healing retreat week at Kripalu features in depth time with Spiritual Bellydance. practices alongside the opportunity for a raw foods cleanse. Perfect spring cleaning! Sensual Alchemy at Kripalu. ================================== Reading Recommendation Visions of God: Four Medieval Mystics and Their Writings, Karen Armstrong. Armstrong has edited and interpreted these writings which are hauntingly familiar to our modern climate of spiritual seeking. ================================== Testimonial of the Month “On the physical level, I feel that the tension in my back is lessening over all--I had a back injury three years ago which never fully healed, and it seems to be healing now. My spine feels more limber, and I feel less tension in my body overall. I have noticed my stomach muscles developing in \"planes\" and becoming stronger so that my posture has improved. Spiritually and emotionally, I feel this work has led to feeling more open, more balanced, vibrant, centered, deepened, relaxed, alert, and given me a chance to enter into a fuller world of embodied mysticism corresponding to readings and personal study. I have no doubt that this work is impacting me in many other ways, on the unconscious level. Monday night there were several points where I suddenly felt sharply attuned with some kind of piercing beauty to the point of tears, which then quickly subsided into joy. This usually only happens in my alone dance/yoga time, so it seems possible to me now to imagine reaching very intense states of mind in the presence of others. And this is a nice thought!”
-- Anita Boeninger, NY, NY And that is the end of our newsletter. Thank you very much!
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