Dance and music are timeless traditions that have always brought people together in unity and celebration. Drawing on this timeless and sacred tradition is the Dances of Universal Peace, which are meditative dance circles held worldwide that bring together people of all spiritual and religious beliefs. These dances are meant as a way to encourage peace, unity and community. The dances and music are very simple, no dance or music experience is required; it’s all about participation rather than ability.
The Dances of Universal Peace originally started in the late 1960's and were the brainchild of Samuel L. Lewis, who was a Sufi Murshid, or teacher. Lewis also extensively studied the mystical traditions of Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism. He was greatly influenced by two people he had a spiritual apprenticeship with; Hazrat Inayat Khan, who brought the teachings of Sufi love and harmony to the West in 1910 and Ruth St. Denis who was a pioneer of contemporary dance in the United States. From his experiences and teachings, Lewis envisioned a creative way to promote peace, and what began as a simple idea eventually drew worldwide attention.
The dances are run and instructed by a leader who usually plays a drum or guitar as musical accompaniment. They are performed in a circle, sometimes with a partner and sometimes without. Each dance has specific movements and a chant that is sung while the dance is performed. These chants are sacred phrases that are set to easy melodies and the movements to the dance are also easy to learn. This combination of music, chants and dance create an atmosphere of unity, compassion and joy.
From its early beginnings, the Dances of Universal Peace have now expanded to meet the needs of many diverse communities and spiritual traditions. It’s not so much a spiritual practice but rather a creative and harmonious spiritual gathering for people of all ages and from all walks of life. No special attire is required but all participants are encouraged to wear loose, comfortable clothing. Teachers share the dances in a variety of settings such as schools, nursing homes, hospices, worship centers and town halls. For information on a gathering that may be close to you, go to Peace Works/North America.
