| This focus has elements of the male and female on multiple levels, the quality of the friend, a "stirring of the pot of stew", and the preparation, planting and tending of the garden. Any description of the phrase should be tempered and replaced with your own understanding, and taken as a little "snapshot". As you work with it, it will develop. |
In order to bring the consciousness and understanding into the world it must be focused. The individual experiences this, and in so doing realizes that for this expression to be made manifest, or "work" it encompasses other "units" to join together harmoniously. It is thus strengthened and spread, as the peace that passes understanding is brought through the "one being" of the attuning group.
The result of that is a breaking of barriers or separations. This leads to an expression of peace through the daily lives of the practitioners without so much provincialism, or doing it "their way". The group, joined together in a common breath, focus, and intent can have far more profound effects than the same number of individuals acting not in concert. The barriers of separation are broken down, and an acceptance of greater peace evolves - not so much as a "peace plan", but rather the infusion of Breath and Heart.
In the practice of the Dance those individuals with a like purpose can feed off each other and attune to the greatest, deepest, or most functional realization they are able to reach at that time. In doing so, the individual's own realization and capacity grows. But even more important and effective than that, the capacity of the group acting in harmony as one unit grows.
If this is then taken to the next step, the practice can be applied from afar. That is, the individuals can harmonize through breath a focus upon the earth, a person, or whatever is of need. If this is spread too far, beyond the capabilities of the group it looses integrity and dissipates. If focused too closely, it can be disturbing. So the balance and attuning of the group and its capacity to act should be monitored, led, and adjusted as needed according to the situation. The situation is determined by the general-average of understanding and ability to both harmonize and act as one agent. It is here that the teacher or guide (acting from that position and with that capacity rather than simply a dance leader) first provides the way for the individual to focus by being the emanating point, or dynamo. As the group grows in strength it can be left more and more to those making it up, until finally in can be left alone to act in concert. This comes when the understanding as a whole surpasses the boundaries of paths and reaches into the universal. At that point, if the individuals and group goes further, it will also begin to get a sense of the hierarchy working together as one illuminated being.
The process of starting this is very simple. The dance is done and focused in the hall with the grouping of persons available. As it progresses the deepening will continue. There will be a process of self-selection in which those interested in going further can do so. Each step of the way is introduced by the leader as they gain comfort in the previous one. These steps can be introduced at varying points, beginning from the start, as needed and comprehended. So in some cases a lecture or discussion on primarily an intellectual level can be beneficial. In other cases, a blending, step by step may be more effective. This can best be determined by the guide or leader, who, in any case will assume the central "sun" position and in any discussion will also take on the consciousness and Breath of that level or aspect, so it can be communicated at the same time.
Focus is important here, as is grounding. For if one is lacking, the teaching cannot be brought down to the earthly place. It is this solidity which completes the process.
As the grouping self-selects its members - those who are both interested in the process and capable of attuning to each other - the guide can introduce certain practices to allow them to go further. One would be to concentrate as a whole on the area they are in; first attuning to each other, through breath, and then letting the breath and energy penetrate them all in a circle, and ground through the hand and feet into the earth. A similar practice is done in healing circles.
The leader or guide can then monitor the progress of the individuals and group and point out ways to improve their ability to sense, attune, harmonize, and become a channel for the peace to come through. Again, at a certain point the leader may set a wide concentration. At the same time, or whenever it would be appropriate, the guide could set a time that is not at a meeting that the group would attune to each other wherever they happen to be physically; and there as one unit do the concentration. This will continue until either the group is able to do so independently or at the discretion of the leader, the need is no longer there.
The intent of this practice then would be threefold. 1. For the individual to begin to feel and comprehend the Greater Peace as part of his or her growth. 2. If the situation can be developed and if it is appropriate, to infuse the light within the group so it can be maintained, built, and perpetuated by the members. 3. For the members of the group to eventually find themselves part of a larger, unseen group, through which to attune and work.