Interspiritual Beginnings
Since last fall, excitement has been building for our 2020 program year featuring the theme of INTERSPIRITUALITY AND COMPASSION FOR SELF, OTHER, AND EARTH. The January workshop on Interspiritual Chant was a great way to begin. Eremos Board member, Rev. Dr. Mona West, led us through a morning of chanting with material from several different spiritual traditions. The ritual of singing together is part of many expressions of spiritual deepening.
Each of us came with varying levels of experience with chant and comfort using our voices. No matter where we began, the unity of our voices was a powerful experience for all. And, of course, with this being an Eremos event, Mona wove in extended time for reflection during the morning.
Those of us who were privileged to attend came away refreshed, relaxed, inspired, and with a new appreciation of how accessible this form of contemplation can be. I invite you to step out of your comfort zone and take advantage of any opportunities to chant in community or ‘sing’ along with a chant recording.
One of those who attended, Mary, was so nourished and inspired by the experience and time for reflection she created a poem that expresses the gift of joy that we all received. She has given us permission to share it with you. Enjoy!
I hope to see you soon at one of the many deep offerings we have in the coming months.
The Dance of My Whole Self
–by Mary Davidson January 21, 2020
Connection. Compassion. Clarity.
Body, mind and Spirit. Heart and soul.
Toes, heels, soles of my feet touching Mother Earth.
Her blessings rising up through my legs, hips and into the pelvic bowl.
Blood circulating, as heart is beating, pumping.
The heart overflows with love for Mother Earth, Self, and others everywhere
Even those gone before
And those yet to be!
Breathing in. Breathing out. Air shared by all beings.
Nerves alive with connections.
This is the dance of my whole self.
All the senses alive!
Feeling the joy of movement, cool air and sweat on my skin
Seeing trees, sky, fellow dancers around me, spinning as I twirl and step
Smelling fresh air, greenery, the moisture in the air
Tasting the deliciousness of exhilaration
Hearing the pulse of my inner music, as it moves me.
This is the dance of my whole self!
The torso swivels, spiraling slowly.
Arms reaching out and up, like tree branches
extending towards sun, planets and stars.
Lowering myself, I roll on Mother Earth.
Kneeling, I bow to my sisters and brothers on this planet.
Rising, I lift my voice in song, a clear melody of Life.
A song of celebration, grief and gratitude!
This is the dance of my whole self.
Clarity in voice and vision.
Unity with all in One! Life! Love!
The dance of the Whole!
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Prompt: What is the dance of your Whole Self?
This reflection question was posed after reading “The Whole Self,” a poem by Naomi Shihab Nye at The Interspiritual Chant workshop with Eremos on January 18, 2020. The poem starts with three lines from The Hokey Pokey: “You put your whole self in. You put your whole self out; You put your whole self in and you shake it all about.”
