By Susan Slack

There is a growing activity, migrating from one country to another, across each continent step-by-step, village to village, from one neighborhood to another. It’s not a religion or a secret society. It is just plain folks gathering for a time to chant and sing while gently moving together in a circle to live music.

The international practice known as Dances of Universal Peace takes place right here in Ann Arbor. The Dances of Universal Peace (DUP) was offered here for years but dissipated during the pandemic. Now, with a new leader in town and a new location, like-minded folks are again finding one another for an evening, four times a year near the solstices and equinoxes.

Anthropologists suggest that both our physical brains and our societies, the ones that have lasted thousands of years, co-evolved together in part through communal singing and dancing. Rhythm and music have been a part of almost every enclave of civilization since before recorded history. Unfortunately, most mainstream Americans haven’t been provided with opportunities for these gatherings—well, except at weddings and drum circles.

Then, in 1960s San Francisco, along came Samuel Lewis. He had spent his life traveling, providing advice on better farming methods in rural communities world-wide, and meeting with remarkable teachers. One of his later advisors was modern dance pioneer Ruth St. Dennis. Biographers suggest his most inspired meeting was with Indian musician and Sufi Master Inayat Khan. “Sufi Sam”, as he was sometimes known, showed up in Golden Gate Park one day with a few young hippies and the Dances of Universal Peace rekindled a space for the ancient practice of communal circles. The practice allows for bonding hearts and minds, dissolving cares in the safety of the circle, and being with others in a peaceful, trusting, kind, and fun presence. And you are warmly invited to join in – no strings attached.

A good part of the experience is that you don’t have to know anything before participating in the Dances of Universal Peace. Everything is simply taught before each dance by trained leaders. Who are they? Mostly volunteers who have apprenticed for a good long while and have agreed to ethical guidelines (to not take advantage of those who attend physically, monetarily, or psychically) to become a certified leader, eligible to use the circle of hearts logo. Each leader is required to have a mentor to check in with for friendship, advice, and to provide any corrections that may be needed. Because there are hundreds of dances that honor the beautiful spiritual paths of the Earth to choose from, a leader shares the dances that move them. Many times, a DUP circle will embrace a theme, season, or holiday. Leaders have access to the network of dance resources that expand their repertoires and support ongoing insights into world traditions.

That means participants may experience the fragrance of Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Lakota, and Mayan in a single night. Short phrases in sacred languages from these spiritual traditions are taught which opens windows to wider world views. We learn through experience that humanity is one being longing to give, receive, and embody compassion, harmony, and beauty.

And the more we moderns learn about what makes our bodies, brains, and emotional selves function more fluently, the more miraculous—yes, miraculous—this practice appears to be. DUP movements are somatic, meaning that with prescribed arm positions, the body talks to itself, in unison with other dancers which in turn informs your entire self. For instance, chanting the name of the Hindu god Ram while holding arms in a “muscle man” position tells the dancer’s whole being that they are strong.

Moving while singing integrates and stimulates the neocortex, or higher brain function, along with the older midbrain, and ancient lower brain stem, or medulla oblongata. DUP covers a full menu of what works best for a balanced, healthy life and open perspective. It helps with heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure. Because many of the short songs are in other languages, or mantric, dancers do not have a preconceived notion of what they mean and how they should react. (Yes, leaders do usually offer loose translations to ensure that they lead to love and clarity.) The older languages vibrate in the body (chakras anyone?) to enliven and create harmony within and without.

And can we talk about the benefits of human touch? DUP involves holding hands and sometimes placing hands on shoulders or waists. Many studies, including from the National Institute of Health, report that touch substantially improves both physical and mental well-being via reduction of pain, anxiety, depression, and stress in adults. It strengthens the immune system, emotional security, and increases levels of dopamine and serotonin—the chill, happy, focusing neurotransmitters.

All this science stuff points to reasons why DUP is a good thing, but there is also an indescribable insight or growth that many have experienced, different for each participant. Or maybe not. Maybe you meet new friends; there are no expectations or compulsions. You may discover something very old or very new, or something more than what you already think.

The Dances of Universal Peace are practiced around the world in over fifty countries, most recently spreading into South America, Turkey, and Vietnam. Visit the international website go to the “Find the Dances” tab, and you’ll see a map. You can click on any part of the world and get contact information to find a dance circle as you travel. Each circle is part of the international network. There are weekend camps and on-line circles as well.

Everyone is welcome to join in at the Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth in Ann Arbor on Saturday, March 22. No registration is required. Come solo or with a partner or a bunch of friends. Together we can accommodate any abilities. Relax into the live music, mantra-songs, and the ancient longing, requited at last, for the precious company of good hearts.

If you have an acoustic instrument, like flute, violin, guitar, accordion, or clarinet, (glockenspiel?), contact Susan to play in the circle. Guitar requires only a few chord changes and some strumming. Decorative violin and flute playing can be by ear. You might choose to play on only one or two tunes during the evening. It’s a very fulfilling contribution to world peace.

Susan Slack is a local musician and author with 45 years of experience with Dances of Universal Peace. You can reach her at peaceinacircle@gmail.com or find more information on the DUP Facebook page at Ann Arbor Dances of Universal Peace at facebook.com/share/g/hfMrKMJMPeD2exLf.