Meditation & Prayer Through Sacred Dance

Body movement and rhythmic dance is a natural human behavior in most of the world. Unfortunately, not all religious leaders see it that way. A 1975 Vatican advisory, “Dance in the Liturgy,” acknowledged that some non-Western cultures still retain liturgical dancing and may therefore be appropriate, but not so in the West. The union of dance and religion in the West has long been severed except within the Black church and among some white Pentecostals.

Nevertheless, dance is a normal, healthy human activity. In Christian and Jewish scriptures, Miriam leads dancing to celebrate crossing the Red Sea, King David dances in worship, and within many Psalms, God is praised by dancing. It is our tradition. Dancing becomes sacred when we acknowledge a higher power, when we give thanks for our existence, and when we understand we are all connected in and to the cosmos in which we live and have our being.

Carla DeSola, a pioneer and advocate of sacred dance for over 40 years, writes, “Dancing is like a beautiful garment, a garment in which the Spirit moves and delights…When we dance we can recognize our own beauty…and with all creation simply be, thus spontaneously praising God.”

No dance knowledge is necessary and participants will be encouraged to move as much or as little as they feel and are able. Come, try on this beautiful garment.

Schedule

4:30-4:45 – Introductions, parameters, and stretching
4:45-4:50 – Silencing and centering ourselves in the Benedictine tradition
4:50-5:20 – Body movement (dancing) to the spiritual music of Hildegard of Bingen
5:20-5:30 – Slowly “cool down” and centering ourselves before our departure

Leader – David Couper

David Couper is an Episcopal priest, member of our Sunday Assembly and Benedictine oblate. He continues to lead an active physical and spiritual life into his later years. For many years he was a teacher of Asian martial arts where he often introduced his students to music and dance during their training. Some of you may remember him as Madison’s Chief of Police from 1972-1993.

Cost

Please consider a free will offering for the monastery.

Registration

Please register with the button below by Apr. 22, 2025.