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One again I have offered a day of Meditative Dance, in the beautiful Meditation Centre in Dent. This year I used both images and poetry as well, and we journeyed with Mary from the first visit by the Angel Gabriel through to her place at the foot of the Cross. The intention was not to see this as looking back at History, but to connect with the emotions we feel, and situations that we, and others, face in the world today. For example here is a sonnet from Malcolm Guite's excellent "Sounding the Seasons" Refugee We think of him as safe beneath the steeple, or cosy in a crib beside the font, but he is with a million displaced people on the long road of weariness and want. For even as we sing our final carol His family is up and on that road, fleeing the wrath of someone else's quarrel, glancing behind and shouldering their load. Whilst Herod rages still from his dark tower, Christ clings to Mary, fingers tightly curled. The lambs are slaughtered by the men of power, and death squads spread their curse across the world. But every Herod dies, and comes alone to stand before the Lamb upon the throne “What a huge amount of planning and work you must have put into the special day you provided for all of us. Thank you very much indeed. I didn’t know what to expect although I had thought it likely to be an Easter event with a difference! I have often heard of the Meditation Centre but hadn’t expected it to be such a lovely venue. “ “It was such a lovely day yesterday. All the music and dances were so well chosen and balanced and I really enjoyed every moment. I know how much you have spent your preparation time before putting everything together and I am so grateful, especially that you did it during Holy Week. Dance really can be our prayer and meditation and with all poems you used, it was just perfect.” "Thank you for giving us such a beautiful day's dancing in Dent (the best yet?). I hope you were pleased with how it went. Such a lovely bunch of people too, didn't you think? I enjoyed all the dances old and new and particularly loved David's poems. Thank you for all the soul-energy you put into it."  Pieta
What worth piety now? How much it’s lost its thrust, its endless duty, its heave, its thuds. So I came a long way round to find the plangent, aching sorrow, that only death can handle wisely. As Mary held her baby in her arms; so now, again, the mother holds the son; in death, and wonder, both. David Scott. February 2015
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I hope you like the new appearance of my website - thank goodness for tech savvy sons! I also have a new email address for dancing matters.
Please save [email protected]. Thank you Adam.X Once again I led a day of Meditative dances for Holy Week in the beautiful Meditation Centre in Dent, on 1 April, 2015, the Wednesday in Holy Week. The dances took us from the Crowds waving “Hosanna” in Jerusalem to the empty tomb, and we were enriched by the reading of sonnets written by Malcolm Guite, before each dance. I received some very kind and positive feedback on the day: Thank you so much for a stunning and inspired day. I really enjoyed your matching of dances to the readings and I thought that your manipulation of the symbols in the final centre was subtle, but also very powerful. Thank you for asking me to be one of your readers and introducing me to the work of Malcolm Guite. I look forward to dancing with you again and enjoying your very special creativity. I am offering a similar event in 2016 on Wednesday March 23rd From the Annunciation to the Pieta (It just so happens that the Feast of the Annunciation falls on Good Friday, in 2016)
10.15am to 4.30pm. £23. There are still a few places available The number will be restricted to just 16. Please contact me to book Two years ago I discovered the Meditation Centre in Dent, and felt compelled to offer a Meditative day of dance there. I made the booking for Holy Week 2013 but late snow put paid to that. Now a year on, in bright sunshine, the dream became a reality and it did not disappoint me. Here are some kind words from those who came.. and lower a sonnet.. and even some photos this time of the dance to the Taize Chant, “Stay here, keep watch with me” Thank you for bringing us all together in that Special place You put together such a moving selection yesterday, with appropriately emotive but varied music, and your references to the scripture storyline and symbolism are never overworked. The poems are come and gone tantalizingly fast but so well chosen. Thank you. I needed that space yesterday. Thank you for everything you have done yesterday. It was lovely and beautiful experience, journeying through Holy week with Him. Thank you for a very special and powerful day. I came away from the day feeling changed in some way with lots to contemplate. This is the sonnet that Malcolm Guite posted the day that we danced. I used it, twinned with the dance “Heart like a Fire”. The Anointing at Bethany Come close with Mary, Martha , Lazarus So close the candles stir with their soft breath And kindle heart and soul to flame within us Lit by these mysteries of life and death. For beauty now begins the final movement In quietness and intimate encounter The alabaster jar of precious ointment Is broken open for the world’s true lover, The whole room richly fills to feast the senses With all the yearning such a fragrance brings, The heart is mourning but the spirit dances, Here at the very centre of all things, Here at the meeting place of love and loss We all foresee, and see beyond the cross. malcolmguite.wordpress.com |
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