In the Beginning Was the Dance
Dance gets around my ordinary ways of thinking. I can't evaluate, process, analyze. I have to imitate, mirror, experience. It asks things of me I don't know how to give. It makes me a child again, seeking, watching.
Yesterday I smiled through much of my ballet dancing. It was reaching into untouched places, pulling up joy, spilling it out of toes and fingertips. If I could have laughed without causing too much interruption, I believe I would have.
Then, last night, awakened from dreams, I remembered a dancer I met in New York City this spring. I don't know what we were talking about, but I suddenly said to him, "In the beginning was the dance..." And I pictured the Holy Spirit hovering over the waters like a dove, dancing us into existence.
I also remembered an exchange I had with someone else who could not accept that God speaks through much of anything but words and text. "In the beginning was the Word..." he told me. I asked him what was in the end. Asked him to look at John-the-disciple's other ways of picturing God in Revelation. Secretly, I also wanted to say, "In the beginning was the dance..." To my mind, it's there in Proverbs too... Wisdom, the Christ-figure, dancing at the feet of God at the moment of Creation, just like a child.
In the beginning was the dance. And I am learning how to let it take me in its arms. Turn me out to the world.
RELATED:
Laura's Silence
Yesterday I smiled through much of my ballet dancing. It was reaching into untouched places, pulling up joy, spilling it out of toes and fingertips. If I could have laughed without causing too much interruption, I believe I would have.
Then, last night, awakened from dreams, I remembered a dancer I met in New York City this spring. I don't know what we were talking about, but I suddenly said to him, "In the beginning was the dance..." And I pictured the Holy Spirit hovering over the waters like a dove, dancing us into existence.
I also remembered an exchange I had with someone else who could not accept that God speaks through much of anything but words and text. "In the beginning was the Word..." he told me. I asked him what was in the end. Asked him to look at John-the-disciple's other ways of picturing God in Revelation. Secretly, I also wanted to say, "In the beginning was the dance..." To my mind, it's there in Proverbs too... Wisdom, the Christ-figure, dancing at the feet of God at the moment of Creation, just like a child.
In the beginning was the dance. And I am learning how to let it take me in its arms. Turn me out to the world.
RELATED:
Laura's Silence
Labels: ballet, spiritual practice
posted by L.L. Barkat at
8:00 AM
7 Comments:
What a lovely post!
If you have a chance to see Mark Morris, do. His group is going to be presenting his masterwork "L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderator" for the 30th Anniversary celebration in NYC in August. It's an extraordinary dance that embodies what your post commends.
(There's a book on it, too.)
Dance on in delight!
What a warm post this was! As you've said, joy was bursting out as I read and reread this. It's easy to think of the holy spirit dancing like the tongues of fire. I always think of dance when I read Song of Solomon.
Barkat, how lovely to be able to read this. I am glad and happy happy.
Joy always,
Susan
In my journaling time early this morning, the Lord said:
"Come dance with Me" and spoke about the beauty of the dance of surrender, when we allow Him to lead.
I had a shiver of confirmation when I read your post this morning, thank you!
what a freeing, flowing thought ...
I don't know why but this makes me grin.
Oh, oh, oh! Loving this, L.L. It has been too long since I have been here, and it is such a gift to find dance the subject of your reflections.
in the beginning was the 'Word' is a person ...
how narrow a world his must be.
how glad i am he couldn't narrow yours !
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