Wouldn't it be great if we could feel that right timing all the time? This could seem like it means getting what we want all the time, but I have found it is actually surrendering to what is happening, and making the best of that. Dances might look perfect to those that are watching them, but the dancers never dance the same way twice. The steps may be similar, but it is all based on feeling the process through, responding in right action to the steps that have proceeded. And if the dance is done well it all flows together because the dancers surrendered to each others movements, moving in a way that agreed with what their partner set forth. Life is like our dance partner, and we can either fight against its steps or surrender by moving in a way that compliments its steps.
“Smile feel, smile move, dance to life's changing grove!” :-)
“Smile feel, smile move, dance to life's changing grove!” :-)
Why Do We Want to Dance to Life?
I do not claim that following the rhythm of life will result in wealth and material success or poverty and spiritual success. I do claim that convincing one's self of either of these outcomes as a result of following some rigid step by step formulas is a mistake. It was for me and it has never truly made anyone happy that I know of. Those who find happiness in life have been those that dance the dance in time and response to life's movements. They are aware of what life is asking of them, and they respond with right action. There are no worries about results, the process of life is simply enjoyed, and happiness is found as a result. Not an artificial happiness of always getting ones way, but one of living in a right way according to one's own nature. This is where listening to one's inner voice is important.
When we know who we are, we always know what that things will turn out right because you know you are not limited by what happens in the outside world, and you continue to dance happily with that song in your heart!
“Smile feel, smile move, dance to life's changing grove!” :-)
How to Dance to Life?
- “Smile feel!”
- When it comes to getting in touch with your feelings, and understanding what they may be asking you to do it can often be a difficult process of discernment for most of us. Hear are some ways that I have been able to get in touch with my feelings and what they were asking from me.
- One way is to pray and to go into sacred scripture for advice. You might look into the psalms of the Bible. J. Hampton Keathley, former pastor of 28 years, writes this about the psalms. “The Psalms have a wonderful capacity to capture the reality of our human experience. They express the emotions, personal feelings, attitudes, gratitude, and interests of the average individual. One reason people love the Psalms is that we can each usually identify the Psalms with our own experiences.” Taken from the article “Psalm 1:Two Ways of Life—A Psalm of Wisdom https://bible.org/article/psalm-1-two-ways-life-psalm-wisdom#P13_704
- The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali is another sacred text. It serves as a road map to enlightenment, and promises that the practitioner of yoga as described in the Sutras will gain one clarity and balance in life. I have found the practice of yoga to work nicely with my existing support my Christian faith practice. In the introduction of “Light on Yoga” BKS Iyengar, world renown Hatha Yoga Guru, describes yoga as the study of religions, which helps the practitioner of yoga gain fulfillment in their own faith practice. This is a resource for the Sutras with commentary and translation. “Patanjali's Yoga-Sutra—the Guide of Yoga.” https://www.ashtangayoga.info/source-texts/yoga-sutra-patanjali/
- Hearing the words of others who are wise and sage is a great way to start to gain an understanding of what these emotions and feeling mean and are leading us to, but ultimately it is imperative that we know what they are telling us on a deeply personal level. Sacred scriptures can only make suggestions, though, they be very good suggestions. This is why having a meditation practice is so helpful. By intentionally slowing down to listen to our emotions and feelings hear the voice of our wise adviser, the version of ourselves that only wants what is truly best for us. There are two types of meditation that I have found reliable in my own practice. I usually mix them together.
- This form of meditation is less active in the body, and requires much more from one's ability to concentrate past one's busy thoughts to subtle feelings in the body, surrounding sounds, temperature, and other stimuli. “How to Love Yourself by Enjoying the Journey” is a past article which explores one way to approach a more passive way to meditate. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/-how-to-love-yourself-by-enjoying-the-journey The Release Meditation is a great beginners meditation that Brendon Burchard describes on this you tube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urzRAhvzUA8
- The next way that I have found meditation is through practicing yoga asanas or postures. There are two quotes by two of my yoga teachers that think really describes what asanas can bring us to. “Concentration leads to meditation,” from Mandy Hinkle. “Meditation through movement,” from Brenda Crain. I will describe a solitary asana below, but a sequence of asanas, moving in an out of each other more in a dance type of a sequence might be better for you. This practice is known as Vinyasa Flow or Ashtanga Yoga. Here is one of my favorite flow sequences from Rondney Yee, “Yoga for Beginners Morning with Rodney Yee” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMYSRCCLeGw
- This form of meditation is less active in the body, and requires much more from one's ability to concentrate past one's busy thoughts to subtle feelings in the body, surrounding sounds, temperature, and other stimuli. “How to Love Yourself by Enjoying the Journey” is a past article which explores one way to approach a more passive way to meditate. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/-how-to-love-yourself-by-enjoying-the-journey The Release Meditation is a great beginners meditation that Brendon Burchard describes on this you tube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urzRAhvzUA8
- One way is to pray and to go into sacred scripture for advice. You might look into the psalms of the Bible. J. Hampton Keathley, former pastor of 28 years, writes this about the psalms. “The Psalms have a wonderful capacity to capture the reality of our human experience. They express the emotions, personal feelings, attitudes, gratitude, and interests of the average individual. One reason people love the Psalms is that we can each usually identify the Psalms with our own experiences.” Taken from the article “Psalm 1:Two Ways of Life—A Psalm of Wisdom https://bible.org/article/psalm-1-two-ways-life-psalm-wisdom#P13_704
- When it comes to getting in touch with your feelings, and understanding what they may be asking you to do it can often be a difficult process of discernment for most of us. Hear are some ways that I have been able to get in touch with my feelings and what they were asking from me.
- “Smile move!”
- Once we get used to translating our feelings into something we can understand and act on, it is important to know how we can match our dance partner of life with our movements.
- There is a concept of ripeness that can help us when identifying how to move rhythm with life. This concept of ripeness is taken from the studies of the Gospels from Dr. Neal Douglas-Klotz known as the “Hidden Gospels.” Ripeness is a question of readiness, appropriateness, and timing, thinking back to “Turn Turn Turn” by the Byrds. “The Hidden Gospels” and based on translated sections of the Gospels into Aramaic, Jesus' spoken language, in order to gain further insight into their authentic meaning. When translating Mathew's version of the Beatitudes, we learn that blessed, as in “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted,” uses tub the root word for ripeness in Aramaic. According to Dr. Douglas-Klotz this implies timing, a time that refers to the seeds of our destiny.
- When examining the second Beatitude, “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted,” in Aramaic we get Tubwayhun lawile d'hinnon netbayun. This implies that we might come across areas in our experience where we feel confusion and wandering, and “when we embrace the lost parts of ourselves, the inner creative force will help us find the resources we need.” Taken from “The Hidden Gospels Study Guide” pages 6 paragraph 2.
- If we treat ourselves with care and understanding in times when the dance of life seems upsetting and strange, our next steps will become clear. “How to Love Yourself by Healing Yourself from Sickness” suggest ways that we might care for ourselves better. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-healing-yourself-of-sickness
- If we treat ourselves with care and understanding in times when the dance of life seems upsetting and strange, our next steps will become clear. “How to Love Yourself by Healing Yourself from Sickness” suggest ways that we might care for ourselves better. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-healing-yourself-of-sickness
- The Third Beatitude, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” is translated to Tubwayhun l'makikhe d'hinnon nertun arha. The Aramaic words expand the meaning to “Blessedly ripe are those who soften what is rigid within, for they shall receive strength and vigor, their natural inheritance, from the energy of nature all around them.” Taken from “The Hidden Gospels Study Guide” pages 6 paragraph 3.
- If we allow life to lead we will be blessed with abundance.
- If we allow life to lead we will be blessed with abundance.
- And finally, the fourth Beatitude, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled,” when looking at the Aramaic word for righteousness, khenuta, we can find the meaning inner unity. This indicates a timing within, where all the voices of the self come together with a physical sense of justice. Taken from “The Hidden Gospels Study Guide” pages 6 paragraph 5.
- When we have an inner knowing, when we are doubtless, we will know the right step to make in the dance of life. “How to Love Yourself by Following Your Rules” suggest ways that we might know ourselves and follow that knowing better. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-following-your-rules
- When we have an inner knowing, when we are doubtless, we will know the right step to make in the dance of life. “How to Love Yourself by Following Your Rules” suggest ways that we might know ourselves and follow that knowing better. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-following-your-rules
- When examining the second Beatitude, “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted,” in Aramaic we get Tubwayhun lawile d'hinnon netbayun. This implies that we might come across areas in our experience where we feel confusion and wandering, and “when we embrace the lost parts of ourselves, the inner creative force will help us find the resources we need.” Taken from “The Hidden Gospels Study Guide” pages 6 paragraph 2.
- There is a concept of ripeness that can help us when identifying how to move rhythm with life. This concept of ripeness is taken from the studies of the Gospels from Dr. Neal Douglas-Klotz known as the “Hidden Gospels.” Ripeness is a question of readiness, appropriateness, and timing, thinking back to “Turn Turn Turn” by the Byrds. “The Hidden Gospels” and based on translated sections of the Gospels into Aramaic, Jesus' spoken language, in order to gain further insight into their authentic meaning. When translating Mathew's version of the Beatitudes, we learn that blessed, as in “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted,” uses tub the root word for ripeness in Aramaic. According to Dr. Douglas-Klotz this implies timing, a time that refers to the seeds of our destiny.
- Once we get used to translating our feelings into something we can understand and act on, it is important to know how we can match our dance partner of life with our movements.
- “Dance to life's changing grove!”
- The dance of life can be sweet and playful like the hokey pokey. It can be rough and turbulent like a free form dance where you are always one step or several steps behind. Life might seem to be a wild and cruel dance partner at times jerking you about with no consideration for your feelings. It can be gentle and kind like a waltz too. The rhythm sometimes feels natural and easy like you were born to dance it. My wish for us all is that we will never give up on our dance, that we might learn to Love every moment of it and feel it as a natural state of pleasure and joy. However, some advice on how to endure and thrive in the dance of life is in order. These are several articles which examine learning and persisting in the dance of life.
- When a slip up does happen, remember that “Your Best is Enough! :-)” Trust in the wisdom that created you, and the knowledge for the next move will come. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-practicing-your-best-is-enough
- Keep your steps going in the dance of life and you will always gain ground! :-) http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/-how-to-love-yourself-by-practicing-trust-patience-and-perseverance
- By finding clarity and focus we can find happiness and prosperity in knowing the next right move to make in the dance of life. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-finding-clarity-and-focus-how-to-make-2016-a-great-year
- When a slip up does happen, remember that “Your Best is Enough! :-)” Trust in the wisdom that created you, and the knowledge for the next move will come. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-practicing-your-best-is-enough
- The dance of life can be sweet and playful like the hokey pokey. It can be rough and turbulent like a free form dance where you are always one step or several steps behind. Life might seem to be a wild and cruel dance partner at times jerking you about with no consideration for your feelings. It can be gentle and kind like a waltz too. The rhythm sometimes feels natural and easy like you were born to dance it. My wish for us all is that we will never give up on our dance, that we might learn to Love every moment of it and feel it as a natural state of pleasure and joy. However, some advice on how to endure and thrive in the dance of life is in order. These are several articles which examine learning and persisting in the dance of life.
“Smile feel, smile move, dance to life's changing grove!” :-)
How Natarajasana can Help Us Dance to Life?
Natar means “dancer” and raja means “king.” Natarja is also another name for the mythological founder of the yoga practice, Lord Shiva, in his cosmic dancer form. According to Subhamoy Das, the dancing Shiva is a symbolic synthesis of Hinduism, summarizing the central tenets of the Vedic religion. The Nataraja represents the dance of creation and destruction involving the entire cosmos, which is the basis for all existence and natural phenomenon. You can learn more about the deep symbolism in the Nataraja in his article including the origin of the form, the vital form and symbolism, the significance of Shiva's dance, the scientific metaphor, and the Nataraj Statue as CERN, Geneva. http://hinduism.about.com/od/lordshiva/p/nataraj.htm
Think about that when you are performing the Natarajasana! Pretty intense! What is begin created and destroyed in you as you learn to concentrate and balance in the present?
According to Asrolika.com, Natarajasana has many benefits, but you might always find more:
- stretches:
- chest
- shoulders
- abdomen
- thighs
- groin
- hip flexors
- abdomen
- strengthens
- legs
- ankles
- the arch of the standing foot
- spine
- perfectly improves the balance of the entire body
- develops better concentration
- tones, lengthens, and stretches
- hip
- leg muscles
- develops a good range of motion in the shoulders
- expands
- chest
- front of body
- if back bending, it strengthens the back of the body
- perfectly releases tension
- foot
- ankle
- opens
- lungs
- chest
- helps with breathing
- stimulates a complete range of motion in the shoulders
Let's Practice Natarajasana! :-)
CAUTION: Those suffering from high blood pressure or shoulder injury should avoid this asana.
Technique
- From Tadasana ( learn how to perform Tadasana or mountain pose here: http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/-how-to-make-2016-a-great-year-how-to-love-yourself-with-healing-and-hope ), find a Drishti or gazing point that is unmoving and a few feet in front of you, learn more about the Drishti by reading the last section of last week's article, “How to Love Yourself by Moving on in the Face of Failure! :-)” http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-moving-on-in-the-face-of-failure
- Shift your weight into your right foot and lift your left leg up in a bent position reaching toward you chin.
- Slowly bring the left leg behind you, grabbing your left ankle with your left hand. Make sure that you are grabbing the ankle from behind so that your thumb is pointing away from your body. This will open up the chest and aid in breathing.
- Extend your right arm out in front, so that you are reaching up for the horizon.
- Hinge at the hip, leaning foreword to your own degree. Make sure that the left leg is being held inline with your body, so that your hips remain square to the front of the room.
- Protect the knee of the standing leg by keeping a micro bend in the right leg, and engaging the quad muscle.
- Remember to relax and breathe while in this pose. Hold this pose for as many breathes as you would like or are able to.
- Recommended feel good practice: First, only follow these suggestions if they help you relax more. Remember the goal is relaxation. Simply breathing is enough in many cases, but these might deepen your experience.
- As you breathe try thinking to yourself the following sentence with each breath. “Smile feel!” inhale. “1” exhale. “Smile move!” inhale. “2” exhale. “Dance in life's... “3” exhale. “changing grove!” inhale. “4” exhale. Continue this as long as you would like.
- Smiling will help you relax even more.
- Do your best to hold your body still, making your raised leg and bent arm circle around together, directing the flow of energy within and with out in a graceful dance with your outstretched arm. Let go of any fear you might be holding onto. Let it flow out through that outstretched arm, and receive the Loving energy that is being gathered all around you in your own cosmic dance.
- This is some music that makes me feel graceful and energized, it just might be the thing to help you relax and enjoy the dance of life as well.
- Tchaikovsky “Waltz of the Flowers” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxHkLdQy5f0
- or perhaps something a bit more epic, 2001 “A Space Odyssey Theme” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwxYiVXYyVs
- or something a little funky and fun! :-) Louis Armstrong with the Dukes of Kixieland “Bourbon Street Parade” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuQPfZGVBus
- This is some music that makes me feel graceful and energized, it just might be the thing to help you relax and enjoy the dance of life as well.
- If you have not done both sides. When you are done with this side, lower your leg and straighten your upper body. Repeat all steps for the other leg.
- Once you are done with both sides, thank your body for carrying you through such a gracefully energetic practice today! Remember to “Smile feel, smile move, dance in life's changing grove!” as you move on to whatever is next for you, smile and laugh with a bounce in your step and a song in your heart! :-)
Do you practice “Dancing to Life?” Please share in the comments area here or on Face Book in the "For the Love of Self" discussion area some of the ways you have practiced “Dancing to Life” in your life. How has it helped you find a find a path to follow in time with life's steps whether they be easy or difficult? What are your tips and tricks for “Dancing to Life?” Sharing our experiences can help us all follow the lead of life in this great dance instead of fighting the flow and causing ourselves more grief. Thank you, my friend, and keep doing your best to dance the steps of life with a grateful heart!
If there is a topic you are passionate about or question that you would like answered about how to Love ourselves better, I would love to hear it. Please write a comment about it here or on Face Book in the "For the Love of Self" discussion area.
Thank you very much for taking time to dance along with “How to Love Yourself by Dancing to Life! :-)” Writing this article has been a really help me dance on through a period that would have been a real drag otherwise. It helped me remember to have a little fun and follow the flow of how things would go! “Smile feel, smile move, dance with life's changing grove!”