Embracing Wholeness

I love this poem by Rumi as he encourages us to feel the broken-open heart that welcomes all emotions into your very own B&B.

The Guest House by Rumi

This being human is a guest house
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

The Shadow Contrast Dance in Qoya Inspired Movement is an opportunity to embrace the wholeness of our human experience. We explore the opposite of the theme as an entry point into honoring how normal it is to have a variety of different experiences in our lives. We acknowledge there is a habitual tendency to deny or avoid uncomfortable or unpopular emotions and experiences. In the Shadow Contrast Dance, we practice our capacity to hold the tension between our resistance to what is, the truth of our experience, and the gentleness to explore it a little bit at a time.

LET’S MOVE TOGETHER

Imagine beginning the Shadow Contrast Dance by saying to yourself, “Body, please lead this dance.” As the music comes in, follow sensation with curiosity, avoiding the temptation to narrate what is happening. Give your body space to express itself and unravel the knots held inside. 

Some days, it will be easier to follow the flow of body sensation for an entire song. Other days, it can be helpful to approach the Shadow Contrast Dance with a body scan. Start with the feet, then legs, hips, belly, back, chest, shoulders, arms, throat, head, and whole body. 

Either way, the intention of this practice is to listen to the wisdom of the body’s sensation and take a break from needing to narrate and figure it out, and instead notice what happens when there is space to feel it out. Let this song be a place to practice being with physical sensation and trusting the body’s intelligence to guide you as you move.

WATCH

REFLECT ON DAY EIGHT

REFLECTION 1: Is there any inner wisdom that came forward after your dance?

REFLECTION 2: What is your relationship to embracing the wholeness of your experience?