3 Oct 2020 "Sacred Art" Traditions of the World Retreat. Why 'retreat'? Because it's a timeout from the world, from burdens and all that has captivated the mind and body, and back to the self in reflective awareness, sitting or moving or drawing in silence and music. A self-care focus to nourish, to drench one's soul.
So priviledged to lead an interfaith dance movement retreat. The group explored through reflective questions, dance movement and art, the qualities of Saraswati, Tara and Mary - Spirit of Creativity, Mercy and Compassion, and of Divine Mother. How do they reflect in me, in my life, through my relationships and connections? And what do their symbols inform me? What's my vehicle, my inner world and outer; my mudras or authentic movement gestures; my nurturing, earthly duties, sword in the heart, etc?
The Goddesses theme was quite a 'big bang.' I knew to provide 'less is more' but yet a lot of content came forth. One participant found the Sacred Art information video segment "meditative, as if entering a special space." She noted contrary movements of the energetic with Saraswati in contrast to the stillness with Mary. This suggested that the dance movement therapy plan of Release, Theme and Centering was showing up, which corresponded to the contemplative dynamics of Purging, Illuminative and Unitive.
One participant experienced an unexpected full consolation of dancing with her Beloved, admiring each other's beauty. Another revived her practice of breathing in the Spirit and found personal messages in her artwork. Below is another showcase of one who found consoling and affirming insights through her art.
Special thanks to C. for her contribution of artwork and sharing.
Every direction she turned the artwork, the Hand remained supportive of her - an important realisation.
By the end of the event, the importance of sharing sacred stories became prominent. Our voices needed to be heard and our beautiful personal stories should be shared and celebrated for the benefit of all.
Some participants stayed behind after the event to further unpack and the concept of forming a small closed group of women for journeying together to find our voice, be heard and validated was strongly endorsed. The missing connection to community was one pain of isolation which some found wanting, on top of physical isolation. In this way, the idea of SpotLight and SpotNight events was conceived, with the objective of building small groups to showcase our voice, giftings or talents, in a safe casual self-reflective 'banquet table'.
I put up a private webpage of resources like the videos and reflective questions for my participants' repeat access. So much happened in the dancing holding space, I have not done justice by reducing participants' experiences into one-liners. I hope in my next blog, I shall share the takeaways from trailing one participant from this Sacred Art event.