Moving Consciously
Living the Truth of Who I AmArchive for journey
Transformation
Day 52 of 52 Days: White Cosmic Worldbridger
If you’ve been following along, congratulations! We’ve completed 52 day of journeying inward. It is simultaneously the end of one cycle and the birth of a new one.
Step into the fire of transformation. You are more than your body, your mind or your heart. You are spirit in form in action.
Use your capacities of body, mind and heart to express the truth of who you are. Who you ARE, not what your opinion or someone else’s opinion is of yourself, but who you really are.
I have a name, I have a job — neither of those is who I Am. My name and my job (I’ve changed my name a couple of times, I’ve had different jobs) are merely place markers for our short stay on earth. The “I am” never changes. I am spirit. I am love. I am life.
Step into the blue of flame. Let everything burn away that no longer serves your purpose for being on earth. Step into your greatness.
Thanks for traveling with me. Thanks to those of you who stopped by to read and comment. Carry on.
Ten Years
This is really not a post about Nia specifically…but it is about Dancing Through Life (Dancing Through Life is one aspect of Principle #5 of the Nia White Belt. Principle #5 is Awareness.
Thursday, July 28, 2011 is my 10-year wedding anniversary. I mentioned this to my husband last night and his response was “10 years, is that all?”. We both laughed…it does seem as though we’ve been together for a life time. I know I’ve blogged about how we came to be together, so I won’t go in to that whole story again (it’s a good one though!). Suffice it to say that we actually met for the first time in the early 80′s at a place called Rainbow Farm. It was a meeting place (the Midwest “Center”) for The Emissaries of Divine Light (no, NOT the Divine Light Mission and no NOT the Emissaries of Light). The Emissaries of Divine Light (also known as EDL) has been around since the 1920′s — this seems to have been a time when many spiritual leaders were coming forth…Bill W (or Bill Wilson), founder of Alcoholics Anonymous was a contemporary of EDL’s spiritual director, Lloyd Meeker. Both of these men created havens for the spiritual “enlightenment” (a word that is so misunderstood and bantered about frivilously) of many a wandering, hungering and thirsting (for the truth) human being.
For me, EDL was my spiritual classroom. The teachings were not ambiguous rantings or channeled words from some disembodied spirit from another plane. EDL’s teachings were and still are about the practical responsibility of consciously moving upon the Earth.
Frank (my husband) and I met at Rainbow Farm in the early 80′s at a Midwest EDL Conference. I remember meeting he and his wife, Suzanne (who became a very close friend for years and who eventually died from ovarian cancer in 1999). Frank always had this enormous spirit; he was…and still is…full of the energetic love for life; Suzanne, I remember, played the piano and sang. So once a year, everyone from around the midwest (I lived in Kansas City, Missouri at the time) gathered at Rainbow Farm. I saw Frank and Suzanne (who were from Wisconsin) every year. In 1987 or 1988, I attended a mutual friend’s wedding in Iowa. Frank and Suzanne were there. The bride had invited me to perform improvisational movement to a piece of music accompanied by Suzanne on piano and another friend as vocalist. None of us had practiced the piece together, but it came together without a hitch during the wedding. After the wedding, there was a reception in the local hotel where the out-of-town guests stayed. It was after the reception that Frank, Suzanne and I solidified our long-time friendship. Everyone left the reception leaving all the pots, pans, dishes, etc. to be washed (the bride/groom elected to save quite a bit of money by not having the hotel staff clean up). The only people left were the 3 of us, and another couple. We rolled up our sleeves and went to work cleaning the place probably better than the hotel staff would have done. It was the nature of our spiritual education: if there is a job to do, do it without complaint or criticism, and with love for expressing life through the particular task being done. And that is what we did.
Just about every year after that, I would travel to Wisconsin to visit Frank and Suzanne for “Summerfest” (the largest music fest in the world, lovingly known as “The Big Gig”). I moved to New Jersey in 1991. Suzanne would travel east to visit me if I was unable to make it to Wisconsin. In 1994 she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and she died in August of 1999. I came to Wisconsin in early July of 1999 at Suzanne’s request to be with her so that Frank could continue working (I had retired from a large corporation in December of 1998). For the next 6 weeks, the three of us shared in something so extraordinary…we created a bond and a safe place for Suzanne to live out her last days on earth. She had agreed to hospice (thank God for these compassionate folks). After Suzanne’s passing, Frank and I arranged for a memorial service. Friends came from throughout the United States. Frank and I were aware that something had shifted in our relationship — the friendship was still there in all of it’s wonderfulness, but another element had entered for us to look at…the element of Love. We later learned through reading a few passages from Suzanne’s journal, that she had planned and wished for Frank and I to come together after her death. There was no manipulation on her part (other than inviting me to come and be with her). Frank and I, to this day, give thanks for remaining centered and simply moving with what Life was offering us. Our spiritual training through EDL, that of being completely responsible for the contents of our consciousness, allowed us to remain centered through the transitions Life had waiting for us.
On July 28th of 2001 (a little over 2 years since I originally came to Wisconsin to be with Suzanne), Frank and I were married in a beautifully organic setting (our own property), with wonderfully supportive friends and family gathered as witnesses to this glorious event. Suzanne’s ashes are buried on our property amid the pines on our ridge…it is only fitting that we pay homage to her for preparing the way for this gift of Love.
So…ten years. Ten years of learning how to accept total and complete responsibility for the contents of our consciousness. Marriage is interesting. There is a need for give and take; yin and yang. Human nature is riding shotgun at all times through one’s life. It is soooo easy in a marriage (or in any circumstance actually) to want to blame another individual for one’s own misgivings or mistakes. I’m certain that this is among the reasons for so many divorces. Many people do not want to accept the responsibility for the contents of their consciousness (or lack of consciousness). There must be agreement, a shared spiritual vision, for anything to really work on this planet.
My husband and I have a shared spiritual vision and it is to accept that we are the most powerful and the most influential, causative factors in our world. To take it one step further, I am the author of my experience and I choose to be present and available to see and act as needed and in doing so I take responsibility not only for the contents of my consciousness, but for the power and magic of creation. And I do so through the inherent courage to act. I am not a by-stander to my life.
“When a person settles for being a bystander to their life, they lose touch with the magic within them, which is the magic to create. And that is the saddest thing that happens when a person begins to see themselves as a witness to their own life, as an object in the world in which they live, instead of a causative factor.” — David Karchere
Although life’s circumstances have allowed Frank and I to journey along our own path, we feel it an honor and a blessing to have been associated with what we consider to be the highest order of spiritual discipline available in this world: the Emissaries of Divine Light. I have found nothing else that even comes close to the deep and profound experience of my spiritual training through EDL.
I have been teaching Nia (www.nianow.com) for 10 years as well. My two passions entertwined in a dance through life. My passion for sacred livelihood (Nia) and my passion for my sacred relationship (Frank) entertwine and unfurl daily as reminders to move consciously upon the face of this earth. This is my ministry. This is my service.
Splish Splash
It’s really sizzling these days in Wisconsin; almost record-setting temperatures. If one doesn’t have air-conditioning, then a wading pool is the next best thing.
One of our staff came to me yesterday and was joking that they needed a wading pool in the area of our building where they work. Although we have an air-conditioned building, when it’s this hot and humid, the term “sweat shop” certainly could apply. So after they all left for the day, I went to the local True Value hardware store and purchased a wading pool, stuck it back in their area with a little note that said “Splish Splash!” How they’ll use it, I’m not sure, but it’s the thought that counts, eh?
Through the years I’ve gone from testing the water with my toe (White Belt), to wading (Blue Belt), to just diving right in (Brown Belt)…into the river…the river of life…the river of the unknown…the river of a Black Belt Nia teacher. It has been an awesome 10 year process…or actually 60 year process. I’ve been teaching for 10 years; however, I feel as though the process of learning how to dance through life has been a unique life-long journey. Letting go into the river of the unknown sounds easy, yes? Just let go…yes, well, ahem….
Many years ago, how long ago was it…perhaps 20 years ago…some friends and I went hiking in a wooded forrest area — a bit of a drive from where we lived. I drove my 1972 Green Dodge Charger — basically held together with “Peace” bumper stickers. There were 4 of us…3 women, 1 man. We had walked quite a distance when we came upon a fast flowing river. Someone got the idea to go body surfing (fully clothed). Oh my goodness, what fun. All I had to do was walk to the center of the river and then lie back and the river just picked me up and moved me along…rather rapidly I might add. We didn’t take into account the boulders and sharp rocks that we would encounter along the way…so there was quite a bit of “ugh-ing” and “ow-ing” but also peals of laughter and giggling. WHAT fun!! We were SOAKED of course…this was no wading pool experience.
We probably body surfed a good 4 or 5 miles down this river. It was a glorious feeling. Once we made the decision to stop, we had to manuever ourselves over to the side and grab on to a large boulder or limb from a tree. All of us made it out with minor bruises and scratches. And now we’re about, ohhhhh, 10-12 miles from the car. We know all we have to do is follow the river back and we’ll find our car eventually. And we did. With a bit of a hitch though…I was wearing blue jeans and had put the keys to the car in my pants pocket. During the bumpy and rapid move down the river, the keys must’ve fallen out of my pocket. Uh oh. River of the unknown. What do we do now?
After enduring some rather testy glares and disrespectful comments about how I could be so stupid, we ended up walking to the Ranger’s station (about another mile) — by this time I had blisters from wet tennis shoes rubbing on my ankles. The Ranger let us use his phone (for free) and I called my neighbor who had a key to my apartment, got my extra set of car keys (thankfulness for all things) and drove out to meet us. Grateful for friendships that last a lifetime and beyond less than perfect circumstances.
So…relating this to my Nia practice…there are any number of situations that can occur before, during or after a Nia class…the CD doesn’t play, the iPod isn’t charged fully, the song skips or repeats, the floor is gritty, someone is complaining about the music, the moves, something physical, emotional, mental…lots of circumstances arise. The preparation for what needs to happen in the moment is simply a willingness to dive right in — having a wading pool consciousness doesn’t work (for me anyway). So much to take into account…my energy, the energy of the students, the music, the movements…but it’s ALL magic.
Wading pools or fast moving, body-surfing rivers…both have their place in my unfolding journey through this dance through life.
Creating Life’s Choreography
Is Nia an exercise or is Nia a dance? Well, that depends on which of those terms makes you want to move your body. Nia is definitely a cardiovascular exercise. Nia’s choreography includes movements from the Dance Arts (Jazz, Modern and Duncan Dance); Martial Arts (Aikido, Tai Chi and Tae Kwon Do); and the Healing Arts (Alexander Technique, the teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais and Yoga).
The Base (feet and legs) moves include Steps, Stances, and Kicks (there are 27 different Base moves). The Core (pelvis, chest and head) includes 7 different movements of the hips, the ribcage and the head, neck and spine. The Upper Extremities involve creative expression through 18 varying movements of the arms, hands and fingers, i.e., punches, blocks, elbow strikes, finger flicks, just to name a few. There are 52 Moves of Nia combined in extraordinarly creative choreography.
In creating Nia choreography, we use the Principle of FreeDance which has 8 Stages. For the sake of keeping this post as brief and succinct as possible, I’m going to reference only 3 of the 8 Stages (my plan is to create another blog post about each of the 8 Stages). Stage 1 of FreeDance is “Anything Goes, Movement Wise”. In this stage, we just let the body move to the voice of sensation — the movements do not have to follow the music. This is one of my favorite stages of FreeDance and one of the stages used in creating choregraphy the Nia way. Stage 2 is “Being Seduced by the Music: The Art of Listening”, where 100% of one’s attention ois placed on listening to the music, noticing the instruments, paying close attention fo the details of the music. Stage 7 of FreeDance is entitled “Choreography: The Accidental Click” which happens as we pay attention to the details of the music and our movements . When the music and the movements “fit”, we call that a “click”.
Another Nia teacher (Mary Carol Rick) and I have planned a playshop entitled, “Creating Choreography the Nia Way.” The playshop is July 23, 2011 at Sacred Space Studio in Wisconsin. We will be utilizing the 3 Stages mentioned above in the playshop. First, the playshop attendees will choose between 3 or 4 different songs that Mary Carol and I will have pre-selected. Then, through a collaborative effort, we will find suitable choreography for that song; first using movements of The Base, then the Core, then the Upper Extremities — all of these movements will have come through the process of FreeDance and finding “the click”.
It’s an interesting process! The journey is sure to be delightful with the help of the 4 Energy Allies: Speak with Impeccability, Don’t Take Anything Personally, Don’t Assume Anything, and Always Do Your Best. As with any collaborative effort, we will be inviting participants to allow what wants to come forth creatively to do so with as little ego involvement as possible.
Life is a dance…the colors and textures…the dramas, the peaceful unfoldments – it’s all about “letting” something happen — not making something happen — but allowing life to unfold in all its glory — life’s choreography. Nia allows me to dance through life. My life is a living meditation. My life is art.
Come and dance with me…create the choreography of your life…moment by moment.
Illusions
Day 12 of 60.
One of my all-time favorite books is “Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah” by Richard Bach.
I’m using this blog to quote from this wonderful text:
Learning is finding out what you already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you. You are all learners, doers, teachers.
You are led through your lifetime by the inner learning creature, the playful spiritual being that is your real Self. Don’t turn away from possible futures before you’re certain you don’t have anything to learn from them. You’re always free to change your mind and choose a different future or a different past.
Argue for your limitations are sure enough, they’re yours.
Your conscience is the measure of the honesty of your selfishness. Listen to it carefully.
Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: if you’re alive, it isn’t.
In order to live free and happily, you must sacrifice boredom. It is not always an easy sacrifice.
And my favorite:
The mark of your ignorance is the depth of your belief in injustice and tragedy. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the Master calls a butterfly.
I read Bach’s book at the beginning of my spiritual journey, some 30+ years ago. I’ve carried the same copy around with me for that many years. It is tattered and torn, the pages dog-earred and yellowed; the words emblazoned in my soul…words that find their way into my everyday life.
My journey continues to afford me the opportunity to meet many wonderful people in a wide array of circumstances. My sacred livelihood, Nia, is my avenue for expressing the love I have for life…moving consciously…living the truth of who I am.
Come…come and dance. Journey with me…
Courting My Destiny
Anyone who knows me knows that Nia is my passion, it is my Sacred Livelihood. I love teaching the principles, the dynamics, the power, the magic and the movements of Nia. I love my students, my classes, my playshops…Nia has changed my body and changed my life.
Several days ago, I received an invitation from Debbie Rosas, Nia’s co-founder, to take the next step into my professional Nia career. The letter stated that as a Black Belt Nia Teacher, I was hand selected and 0ne of the elite few invited to attend a 3-day event entitled, “Courting Your Destiny.” The event’s purpose is to discover and explore the possibilities of becoming a Next Generation Nia White Belt Trainer.
First of all, let me say that I am honored and humbled to have received this invitation. Nia Trainers provide the necessary education for Nia students who wish to take their own next step in becoming a White Belt Nia teacher. The White Belt Intensive is a 7-day process of immersing the participants in Nia’s initial 13 principles.
The invitation states that in the history of Nia, this is only the second time that Nia teachers are being invited to become part of the training team faculty, so this is not a decision that I wished to undertake lightly. My husband and I talked for endless hours about what this would mean to me, to us, and what a privilege it is to have received such an invitation.
After many days of considering how entering into the Next Generation Trainer program would affect our personal and professional lives, I have made the decision to decline the invitation. A few days ago, I submitted to Debbie Rosas my personal response to decline this awesome invitation and received a genuinely warm and supportive reply back from her.
Part of my decision to decline the invitation is based on the business that my husband and I own. Our business is in transition itself at the moment. We, nor our business, have the required money needed to accept the invitation, nor could I in right consciousness step away from the business at this critical juncture in order to focus on the 10-15 month training program.
I know of a number of Nia Black Belt teachers who have been invited and who are either considering accepting the invitation or have accepted it already. It is with an enormous amount of love and pride for what I know Nia is and what Nia can offer to the world, as well as for what these individuals have personally and professionally brought to their Nia communities, that I give my encouragement and my support as they enter into the New Generation Trainer program!!! You ROCK!
My continuing journey which began in 2001 is to expand my own Nia practice. My intention is to offer and create avenues and pathways for my students to dance into their greatness.
Congratulations to all who received the invitation. I honor everyone’s decision. I look forward to the unfoldment of Nia’s Next Generation of Trainers!!!
With love,
Jill
