Greetings to all, welcome to This Week in Peace! We pick up now where we left off, on the front lines. Why would we use this term to reference life? Because it takes a fighting spirit and a powerful will to press on joyfully in life. Fortunately, we have the reinforcements we need in the form of source energy and unwavering support from the mighty planet Earth.
This Week in Peace begins with a lively dance at the Campbell Farmer's Market. A longtime performance location for the Dance of Peace, this Sunday market consistently provides a sense of "small village" here in our cosmopolitan city. Due to rain in the forecast, one of the main cooking vendors did not attend the market that day. This opened a large space (nearly half a block) for the Dance of Peace to prance, twirl, frolic, jump, clap and cheer. Using light from within and the formidable strength of the human spirit, the Dance of Peace harnesses the mysterious powers of the wind. This power creates a lightness of body and spirit. It is a tangible force that others can feel. It is common knowledge that the energy surrounding the body can be purposefully directed. That is one aspect of it. Perhaps, too, it is the affinity that dance shares with nature that makes the wind such a ready ally. There was a couple standing near, watching the dance for some time. The lady commented on this phenomenon, stating, "Your movements and your music make me feel the wind. I don't know how but I feel it!" It's true that our limited knowledge cannot fully grasp the natural elements. We can expand our knowledge of the elements by experimenting. As we communicate openly with life, it reveals more and more of its secrets to us!
Next, we move on to the Friday class at San Jose Peace & Justice Center. For decades, the dedicated community there has rallied our citizens for peace and equality. The Dance of Peace class is only one of the community services they offer while striving to improve living conditions for all. There is an enduring hope in the movement. It encompasses the Dance of Peace and everything else that they do. That is the hope for freedom. Freedom is much more than something we all hope for, more than just a pretty idea. Freedom is the heart of every movement that actively tries to bolster others. The freedom of each person to live and create as they please is vital to peace in every heart, which is the dominant intention of the Dance of Peace. It is the highest goal that we can attain for ourselves and others, worthy of our continued vigilance. Let's encourage each other to move freedom forward by taking full advantage of it each day.
How can we serve, give, receive and exist in this energy? We can personalize this question to our own lives. When we do that, it becomes a tool for self-inquiry, the fruit of which can carry us a great distance on our individual journeys.
Lastly in the realm of freedom, let's reflect on our treatment of others. There are endless conflicting opinions and values in our world. Do we respect the freedom of those whose opinions differ from our own? Freedom is a two-way street for all of humanity to walk upon. By making room for others (even those we may wish to see silenced!) we participate in the true spirit of freedom, which includes everyone. It is not necessary to compromise our ideals to achieve this. It is only necessary to be respectful of the people we choose to engage and to disengage with those who are not respectful. It expands the spirit of peace when we all have space to safely express ourselves and to grow. Thanks and see you out there!
Check Out More of This Week in Peace Column:
Dance Speaks Directly to the Heart
High Vibin' With the Dance of Peace
Dancing in the Realm of Appreciation
