March 2009 schedule

Mar 6th     Monthly Community Celebration

Mar 13th     Dances of Universal Peace

     We Now Host Dances of Universal Peace 2nd Friday of each month

(Suggested Donation 5 to $10, no one turned away)  

Dances of Universal Peace

From the beginning of time, sacred movement, song and story have brought people together - at times of seasonal ceremony and celebration, as part of everyday life and life passages, in daily renewal and meditation, etc... The Dances of Universal Peace are part of this timeless tradition of Sacred Dance.

As in these timeless mystic traditions, the Dances use simple music, lyrics, and movements to touch the spiritual essence within ourselves and others. No musical or dance experience of any kind is required and everyone is welcomed to join in. No special attire is required, although comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is best. Participants join hands forming a circle with the Dance leader and other musicians in the center. Throughout the evening, the leader teaches the group the words, melody, and movements for the next Dance and often provides some background history about that particular Dance.

The Dances of Universal Peace were brought together in the late 1960's by Samuel L. Lewis (1896-1971), a Sufi Murshid (teacher) and Rinzai Zen Master, who also studied deeply in the mystical traditions of Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity. In this creation, Lewis was deeply influenced by his contact and spiritual apprenticeship with two people: Hazrat Inayat Khan, who first brought the message of universal Sufism to the West in 1910, and Ruth St. Denis, a feminist pioneer in the modern dance movement in America and Europe.

From his rich life experiences, Lewis in his early 70's began to envision and create the Dances as a dynamic method to promote "Peace through the Arts". From the early days and his original body of about 50 dances, the collection has grown since his passing to more than 500 dances which celebrate the sacred heart of Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Aramaic, Native American, Native Middle Eastern, Celtic, Native African, and Goddess traditions.

Here is the often-quoted passage written by Murshid Samuel L. Lewis in a paper called "Spiritual Dancing":

"Spiritual Dancing is that which elevates the consciousness. Dancing may be said to be the movement of the body or any of its parts to rhythm, and spiritual is that which helps to make one realize that this body is really the Divine Temple.”

Mar 20th     Crystal Temple and Mystic Garden Party bring you a 3 day Spring Equinox event-

More details and online pass sales available at
www.mysticgardenparty.com
Call Crystal temple for info 503-249-0303
see schedule below! 

More details and online pass sales available at www.mysticgardenparty.com 

This months Goddess circle will be part of the Mandala Earth Celebration

Goddess Circle with Goddess Gaia Gaia or Gaea, known as Earth or Mother Earth. She was an early earth goddess and it is written that Gaia was born from Chaos, the great void of emptiness within the universe, and with her came Eros. She gave birth to Pontus (the Sea) and Uranus (the Sky). This was achieved without male assistance.  Gaia being the primordial element from which all the gods originated was worshiped throughout Greece, but later she went into decline and was supplanted by other gods. In Roman mythology she was known as Tellus or Terra. Join us in connecting with Brigid to purify and prepare for spring. Brought to you by Goddesses  Amanda Jones & Crystal Lee

Mar 27th     Off World Theme Dance -Come as something out of this World!

This is our monthly theme Dance, Costumes are encouraged but not necessary.    We will be lining up some appropriate music, Dancing scheduled to start at 8pm,  $5 to $10 sliding as usual.