Dancers of the Living Earth

I firmly believe that the difficulties of our own individual lives and the ‘big’ problems of our society are closely linked, and that both are closely linked to the earth. It is the earth, the visceral, intimate presence of nature, or rather the lack of it, that we are dealing with in this workshop. Movement meditation provides an effective framework for being able to experience, share and discuss ideas, questions and possibilities that arise in relation to this theme.

In this workshop, Eva and I will bring you perspectives, not solutions. The goal is not to find ‘big answers’, but to start small steps on the path that will bring us closer to a life connected to the living earth. Our bodies are related to earth as any other living being, and rather than deny or try to ignore ths connection, we can find harmony by affirming our bodily existence.

The rhythms of the 5Rhythms map are everywhere, all around nature. Flowing is there in the fertile soil, in the water seeping into cracks, in the roots reaching deep for nourishment. Staccato is there in the sunlight, the pure energy that feeds life. Chaos is present in the rich diversity of species, ecosystems, Gaia. Lyrical is in the beauty of flowers, the grace of a deer, the songs of birds. Stillness is in the cycle of life, in passing, decay and rebirth.

In this retreat, we awaken our senses by setting our bodies in motion, searching, discovering, feeling, experiencing. And through the experience of the body we gently move closer to a fulfilling connection with earth. We can experience that we are inseparably connected to the great family of the living, that we have a place in the cosmos, in the great order of existence. We find our roots in the earth, we find our sun-loving green leaves, we find our wings in the sky – as we nurture our relationship with nature, we inevitably find more balance, more harmony and more purpose within ourselves.

We modern Westerners are separated from nature by our culture, technology and lifestyle. We need a lot of work to heal this disconnection. And when we do, the rewards are joyful. When we connect well with nature, we are able to move with it, we are able to join the dance of grass and trees, we become dancers of the Living Earth.