Enlightenment Through The Dance Of Thoughts by Rosane Gibson Founder of the Enlightenment Dance Company and author of Enlightenment Dance - Dancing your Way to Eternal Bliss We carry thoughts in our mind all the time. It is a challenge to empty the mind and enjoy the bliss of just being in the moment. It would be wonderful to be able to feel enlightened all the time and live a joyful life. How do we do that? How can we have control of our thoughts, or achieve that state of mind seekers call enlightenment? Well, the Yogis say that there are four kinds of thoughts that travel through our minds: positive, negative, useful and non-useful. Positive thoughts are those of admiration, love, friendship and compassion: I admire Lonny Brown. I enjoy my friend Janet's company. I truly wish to understand what you are feeling. Useful thoughts are those that have utility: "I will clean the house today." "I will make spinach lasagna for dinner tonight." "I want to call Christine about tomorrow's rehearsal." "I have to miss my doctor's appointment because I am busy with school work." (Even though it is a "problem" this thought has "utility".) "I am upset with my boss because he did not give me the raise, but I will talk to him tomorrow." It is said that if we could keep only positive and useful thoughts in our mind, we would be filled up with life force/energy, and never feel sick or sad. When this does happen, energy flows freely throughout the body, and you are so invigorated that you have more than enough energy to share with others. On the other hand, negative thoughts tend to create feelings of anger, jealousy or fear. I hate when you're late. I think you are more beautiful than me. I'm not good enough for this job. I'll never forgive you. Non-useful thoughts are the opposite of useful ones, those that reflect blame or a condition,, an event you feel guilty about or something you wish that hasn't happened. These kind of thoughts are based on something that you can no longer change. Non-useful thinking stifles skillful action. Such thoughts usually start with "if" or "when:" If only I was rich, I'd be happy. When I buy my house, then I'll be happier. When I finish school I'll really be happy! If he didn't hurt me, I would love him. Only when my kids grow up will I be really free. Such thought patterns state a condition for good feelings, but prevent you from feeling good at the present moment. Blame is useless, because it doesn't solve the problem. Guilt is only self blame, and is equally useless. Problems are only fixed when someone takes responsibility and acts. Negative and non-useful thoughts can drain the life force right out of your body, like a bucket with a hole. It flows out, leaving you feeling tired, even when you've done nothing strenuous. When our negative and counter-productive thoughts persist, our health deteriorates. The mental habit of negativity snowballs: Because we feel sick, we have more negative and non-useful thoughts, and because we have more non-useful and negative thoughts, we feel sicker.. it is a useless cycle of self-pity, worry, and fear. If you create a habit of watching your thoughts, you can control them. Make this your intention when dancing. Dance automatically brings your thoughts into the present moment, so watch what thoughts surface as you dance, and what emotions those thoughts make you feel. Then you can intentionally transform the negative and non-useful thoughts and emotions through the movement of your body. This is a powerful Moving Meditation technique that will rapidly put you in an enlightened state of mind. Give this a try! THOUGHTS TRANSMUTATION DANCE EXERCISE 1) Start your dance by moving your body parts one at a time (starting with your feet, then legs, hips, spine, shoulders, arms and head) 2) Pay attention to the thoughts that come to your mind, always remembering to focus on your breath. 3) Define each thought as it appears in your mind: Is it positive? ..negative? Is it useful or non useful? 4) Transmute negative thoughts by rethinking them positively (ex: replace I don't like my body with I am so happy my body is perfect and allows me to move and to dance.) 5) Transmute non-useful thoughts (ex: If I were skinnier I would dance better becomes I am learning to appreciate and love my body as it is) 6) Repeat and reinforce all the positive and useful thoughts. (ex: This kind of dance would be fascinating with my new sky blue costume! - Yes! I will look like a Goddess! or.. I love this music, it makes me feel heavenly! I can't wait to perform this dance on-stage! If other, life-issue type thoughts appear, do the same. Place the intent of carrying this thought control pattern into your daily life. You will be able to enjoy all the benefits of it! TIP: Transcend negative thinking with this affirmation: The more I dance, the more I transmute and elevate thoughts. The more positive thoughts I have, the better I feel. The better I feel the more I want to dance! Excerpted from the Book "Enlightenment Dance, Dancing your way to Eternal Bliss" by Rosane Gibson - @2004 all rights reserved www.enlightenmentdance.com/BOOK.html Hozuhni uses dance to move from the limits of the ego to the expanse of the spirit, as a form to communicate feelings and emotions, to turn life into art. Her studies include Tantric Yoga, Mid-Eastern Dance, Sufism, Gabrielle Roth Rhythms, Indian Dance, Gypsy Dance, Ecstatic Dance for Body & Soul and Capoeira. She has also studied Drama, Poetry and Body Therapy in her native home of Brazil and several other countries. Hozuhni graduated in Social Communications and Environment. She has worked as an environmentalist and developed several projects related to waste recycling in Brazil. Presently she uses her dance to "recycle" the "inner environment" as a tool for self growth and healing. She has authored a book about dance as an expression of spiritual enlightenment: Enlightenment Dance, Dancing Your Way to Eternal Bliss!" She has taught and presented work-shops in England, Brazil and North America. She also works as a Flight Attendant and travels the world sharing her love for dance. By using a unique combination of ancient, traditional and original dance forms to move from the limits of the ego to the expanse of the spirit, as a vehicle to communicate feelings and emotions, and to transform life into art. Hozuhni teaches that Enlightenment Dance is about feeling and sharing the bliss of dancing with others, therefore she welcomes everyone from all ages and shapes to dance with her. 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