DANCES OF LIFE


Sacred dance fulfills deep yearnings of the soul and spirit. It is associated with the act of creation, and as Lucian, the second century poet said, with the creation of the Universe, dance too came into being. In Hindu tradition, Shiva, Lord of the Dance, expressed his creativity through dance and thus the world was formed. Because of its divine origin, it is said that sacred dance is beloved by the Gods (Spirit), and is carried out by humankind in their honor. Most primal people know their dancing is participation in divine activity, and the steps, form, and ritual patterns of the dances are a form of reenactment, or mirror, of the act of creation with its union of the elements. Sacred dance harmonizes the body and the soul-putting a fine edge on the soul, disciplining the body. When the dancer's body and soul move together, then the natural language of the soul becomes the movement of the body. The spiritual joy that this harmony brings becomes an act of physical prayer, a prayer of ecstasy, if you will, in which the movement of one's whole being-body and soul-becomes the prayer. Thus these dances make prayer visible and are a physical expression of divine dedication. David continues the story of his first Sundance

As we completed our initiatory sweat Wednesday night, (the men and women sweat in separate lodges during the days of the dance), and ate and drank our last meal together, I was glad for the three fasting times that many of us had experienced since November. I was familiar with the dry cottonmouth, dehydration and weakness that came to visit us around the third day, and the thoughts inside my head that wondered if I was strong enough and able to complete the four rounds. I was aware that four days of dancing in the full sun would probably take its toll on our bodies and spirits, but I tried hard to let the experience simply be what it was without anticipating too much. As it was, the first day of the dance seemed relatively easy for me, but then I did not pierce that day as did a number of my brothers and sisters. I did feel awkward being in the arbor for the first time, learning to move fluidly in new patterns and learning how to blow the eagle bone whistle so that it didn't sound like a wounded chicken in the hen yard. I also shrilled like the women did on one occasion which brought shrieks of laughter from the women, and a "I can't believe he did that" silence from the men. I regularly turned the wrong way at the gates, and wondered quietly to myself, along with the senior dancers if a would ever be a real sundancer. The second day was hard, there was no doubt about it. The sun was baking hot as it often is in Southern Alberta in July, and by the end of the day I found myself wondering how I was going to tell Keith that I couldn't complete my vow. Others, too, were having a hard time, and I quickly learned of the power and strength of the eagle fans that we used to hit ourselves and each other on the back, chest, legs, and crown of the head to give us energy. The sage and cedar smudge pots were also kept going the whole day and were an enormous energy boost as were the many supporters who were dancing with us under the covered arbor - Elaine, Sarah, Cam, Jane, Cecilia, Peter, Laurie and others. As it turned out, just as it had during that first November fast, Napi had pity on us, the rains came, and the green plastic tarps that shaded the arbor became catch-pools for the rain of this delicious summer storm. We were allowed, once again, to gather rain water from the Creator, and I begin to think that maybe I could complete my commitments. On days three and four, the winds blew. For those of us who were dancing, it was a Godsend; for those who were supporting, working in the kitchen, tending the sweat fire, trying to keep the sage and cedar smudge lit, or for the women dancers on their moon up in the arbor on the hill, the wind was a nightmare. I have always disliked the sometimes incessant winds of the prairies, but after suffering in the hot stillness of the days before, I apologized deeply to the wind spirits and vowed that I would never again dishonor them. It felt so good to be cool, and to be able to sleep soundly under the shade of the arbor between rounds. By the end of the third day I felt refreshed and ready to go on. I had thought I might pierce on the second or third day, but when I took the question to the Creator, I kept feeling that I should wait. Waiting hasn't always been one of my virtues, especially since all of the male dancers had pierced except Chuck and me. I wondered about my manhood, I questioned my courage, I asked myself if I was afraid of the pain, or if I would be embarrassed if I passed out as sometimes happens. No, I finally told myself, Sunday was the right day for me to pierce. I knew it deep down inside. When Sunday morning came, I was filled with excitement and anticipation. At last I would be able to join my brothers at the tree. I had imagined that I would be on my rope for several hours on Sunday as I thought there would be many things still left to do. I went to the tree with a sense of calm and some nervous anticipation. I had been "dancing free" for three days and I was ready now to be tied to the tree. As fate, or coyote, would have it, my rope had become tangled up in some of the other ropes, and it took some time for Keith, Jordan and Tony to untangle them. Finally I shuffle-danced around to the south of the tree, stood on the buffalo robe, pulled two pegs out of my crown to hand to Keith, and prepared to be pierced. Tony told me to blow hard on the eagle bone whistle and to look at the sun. The 10 o'clock sun was too bright to stare at directly, so I covered it up partially with my eagle fan, and was surprised to notice that the sun became the eye of the eagle that was my fan. I felt no pain at all, and was surprised when Keith told me that I was finished. Jordan trotted me around to my place in the arbor and then asked me if I had any supporters to assist me as I broke. My mind went blank. First, I had no idea that I would be breaking immediately, and I was not aware that anyone would assist me in that process. Two of my good friends, Cam and Jane, were fortunately, and unbeknown to me, standing behind me in the arbor, and came to be at my side, just behind me - Jane on my right and Cam on my left. The dancers were then told to pull back hard on our ropes, and when I did, a wave of intense pain washed over me. Strongly the voices of encouragement came, "Pull back, pull back hard!" I tried to pull back, but every time I did the pain became very intense and I could feel myself starting to feel nauseous. I dropped to my knees to gather myself, to pray, to stop the nausea and to adjust to the pain. "Get up, get up," people shouted, "You can do it; pull back hard on your rope." Finally I got up on my feet and realized that we were all being called to the tree in preparation to break. Once, twice, three times we went, and I became aware that "this was it." I wanted to break strongly and cleanly without falling down. There wasn't time to think; there was only time to gather my energy and respond in the moment. I went to the tree the fourth time in what seemed like deliberate slow motion. I wanted my two-rope harness to be lined up so that my pegs broke evenly. I moved backwards strongly with old, familiar instincts. Finally, I turned up the speed and ran backwards as hard as I could. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw several other ropes break free of dancers, and than I felt my own release. How exquisite was the break; how free I felt. Cam and Jane took me by my wrist bracelets and trotted me around the inside of the arbor with the rest of the dancers. We had all broken free together at almost the same moment. Blood was streaming down my chest, but I didn't care, I was free. I had completed my vow. I had danced for four days, I had pierced, and I had broken, honorably, safely and with my friends. All that was left was to gather the pipes, bless all the people who had gathered in the south of the arbor, and leave for our final sweat.



Inside the Walls of a Maryland Prison >From David Thomson In the middle of December I spent two days inside the walls of MCI-J (Maryland Correctional Institute-Jessup) with the men (and women) of Iyansa Tatanka Oyate (Redstone Buffalo Society). Our purpose in gathering was to celebrate the Winter Solstice, listen to the teachings of the Elders, share stories, sing, "make relations," and smoke the Sacred Pipe. Words alone cannot express the full sensate memories of my visit, let alone tap the minds and hearts of the men and women who were there, but I will endeavor to give you "a peek inside." There was the "traditional" search of our personal belongings and bundles, the moving past the guards and gates into the inner space, the awkward and somehow familiar first greetings and introductions, the settling into the circle, the "checking-in" regarding "circle protocols," and the "taking in" of the surroundings - the stark white-grey walls, the ceremonial fire, the bright colors flying at the four directions, the altar, the pipes, the wind, the chilled air, and the warmth and kindness of the men. Songs were sung, the drum was played, teachings heard, pipes were smoked, hugs were given, counsel asked for, tobacco mixed and shared, sadness and gratitude at parting, and pledges to visit again. Through it all, we came once again into "deep relationship" with ourselves, the sacred, nature, and each other. Once again, together, we breathed hope into life, renewed commitments to friendships and the Creator, and made heart-felt pledges to not let the ancient, sacred ways ever die. And so, to Roark, Dominic, Big Bear, Four Horse, Fire Eyes, White Bear, Speaks Softly, Lightfoot, Doug, Gray Wolf Stalking, Dependable, Many Horses, Little Bear, Grant, Eric, Oscar, Gary, John, Warren, Steven, Michael, Grandfather Henry and the men of Eagle Voice Center, Beautiful Thunder, Chaplain Crowther, Nancy Williams, Sewall Smith, Joe Winters, Milton Hunt, Prudence Kestner, Wolf Song, Tina, Thunderclap and all the others, seen and unseen, inside and outside, I dedicate these "words."

Inside the Walls of a Maryland Prison

Inside the walls Of a Maryland prison Fire burning Circle, bright

Eagles soaring Wolves are watching Moon is full Star-filled night

Men are smoking Voices singing Ancient songs Red stone pipes

(Note: Sacred Circles Institute currently provides its cross-cultural teachings, "Walking the Sacred Wheel," to over 100 prisoners in more than 40 prisons throughout the United States. Donations are always welcome.)