Module Three: dance
In each manifestation [of art] is the seed of a striving towards the abstract, the non-material…With few exceptions music has been for some centuries the art which has devoted itself not to the reproduction of natural phenomena, but rather to the expression of the artist’s soul, in musical sound.
Wassily Kandinsky, Concerning the Spiritual in Art, 19
You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Psalm 51:6–9
Module Three: dance
Study:
In preparation for this week's liturgy, please read Part 4 of How to Be Here by Rob Bell. Please read the Wisdom for the Way essay titled, “dance” found here.
After you have completed the above, choose one or more of the the following:
For fun! Kandinsky art and sound generator
Chardin’s Omega Point
Questions:
If there is anything true about art having the capacity to be spiritual, what do the different expressions of art teach us about spirituality?
In the Dancing Through Time video, what dances do you know? How do they connect with you? How is that different from the ones you don’t know? What inferences can you draw about the emotional component of dance?
Do you feel that human consciousness is/should be moving toward a goal? Is that goal a given result or is it only possible through cooperation?
The Liturgy
dance
You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Psalm 51:6–9
Opening Prayer
Creator, in the beginning you were. Help us be that which impelled you to speak light. Please, oh Divine Spirit, give us the courage to listen to the stillness before the beginning and hear the foundation of creation whisper to our souls infusing us with longing to participate. Incarnated God, you spoke to us, help us to hear. Impress on our souls the love that poured into the original Word and that continues to echo through creation. Help us to choose loving creation.
Amen.
Confession
Hope of the World, we have let our feet grow sluggish, mired in the awareness that our steps have not always matched your rhythm. Forgive us and assure us that you are love. Help us to remember that it is to love that we must listen, never growing weary of training our feet to match the beat of your heart. Take our weary hands and lead us. Soothe our tattered minds and lead us. Enliven our wayward feet and lead us.
Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Exchange this acknowledgment of confession.
From the freedom of confession, I greet the Christ in you.
From the freedom of confession, I greet the Christ in you.
The Inquiry
These questions will be used each week to guide a time of sharing. If you are unable to share, please raise two clasped hands and the other participants will offer you a blessing.
What have you made this week?
What suffering have you encountered this week?
What longs for salvation?
After each person shares, the group will offer a blessing to each person:
[Person’s name], in the name of Jesus Christ know you are beloved of God
The Reflection
Read aloud:
The Practice
create centers on creative spiritual practices. Each week, participants will be offered a creative practice in the Spirited Words Substack Newsletter.
For Thought
When from our better selves we have too long
Been parted by the hurrying world, and droop,
Sick of its business, of its pleasures tired,
How gracious, how benign, is Solitude—
The Prelude, Wordsworth, 69
Read Aloud:
Remember that we have “better selves.” Lead us to places of solitude so that we can hear the rhythm of the Divine Dance.
Amen.
The Response
These questions can be used to help the group engage with the reflection.
Where is your place of solitude?
or
What would you like to create this week?
After each person shares, the group will offer a blessing to each person:
Christ, give us the courage to hear and be heard.
Responsive Reading
A. The sun rises on the grieving and the consoled.
B. The dance continues.
A. The rain falls on the flood and the fire.
B. The dance continues.
A. The moon waxes and wanes.
B: The dance continues.
Closing Prayer
O, God, we ask that you infuse our souls with the assurance that you are love. We are restless and voracious. Allow us to rest in the abundance of just enough. Clear our souls and minds so that we may participate in the Creation that you speak into being from the first moment to this moment.
Amen.
Blessing
Have courage. You are creating the world. Love well. We are all connected. Be assured. We are creating the world together.
My youngest daughter loves to make clothes. So far, she mostly repurposes (cuts up) her socks into doll skirts and crop tops.