Workshop participant Guy Crittenden shares beautiful insight into Sufi Dance of Oneness® at Menla Retreat Center last month. Original post can be found here.
Over the weekend of November 4 to 5, 2017 I was privileged to attend a workshop in Sufi whirling dance with renowned international teacher Banafsheh Sayyad. It’s not an overstatement to say the experience was life changing.
My heart is so full from our 5 days of Dance Your Passion at Hollyhock September 22-27. Love and gratitude to all the dancers who came and danced into being a circle of oneness that brought all of us to wholeness in grace. We were as old as 6 and as young as 76…we cried together, we laughed together and we made magic…May our harmony, love and respect for each other and for all of LIFE reverberate into the world…
Read on to find some reflections from our time together:
One of my dear students asked me some questions about Sufi Dance and the Sama as a follow up to our time in an immersive workshop at The Rowe Center. Here are my answers… (more…)
After the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the only thing that helped me out of the sadness and grief I was feeling was music….Here is an excerpt from my book, Dance of Oneness in dialogue with Andrew Harvey. (more…)
As a Goddess loving, pagan, tantric, zoroastrian, taoist sufi I don’t feel intimidated by established Christianity that claims to own Jesus and lovingly announce that he is one of my greatest heroes and inspirations.
And why it is the perfect place for our healing sacred dance!
375 million years ago, a half-mile-wide meteor crashed here, creating the oldest known meteor impact crater on Earth, equivalent of several hundred million tons of TNT and pulverized the bedrock, leaving a 6-mile-wide crater.
Quieting our sound in order to receive guidance from the Spirit
Back from my trip to Kaua’i, I find it more urgent than ever that we stand up to what is needed for us to be better stewards of the planet. It is more than obvious that as a whole, humanity is not contributing constructively, neither to the homeostasis of the Earth nor to the universe.
Many of us are terrified of embodiment. We can’t face our broken hearts, the chaos in our minds or the pain in our bodies. We yearn instead for transcendental bliss. Every chance we get, we go off into the beautiful light instead of choosing to face the continually unnerving yet miraculous experience of living that light in our bodies. In this way we continue to separate the realm of the soul from the body. (more…)
Even today when I listen to the old recordings of Jacqueline du Pre playing her beloved cello, sitting there like a lioness with it held rapturously between her legs and arms and all her body, I focus ever so deeply and quietly because it is ‘as if’ I am actually listening to Divine Mother herself. But ‘as if’ isn’t how I’d say it. She’d disappear out of my listening if I thought about it that way. It’s much more real, like a true horse trainer talking to his unbelievably beautiful horse: love-talk. For me, when Jacqueline du Pre plays, it’s as if Divine Mother says: “move over, my love, just for a few minutes.” Suddenly, I have such a longing to sing my heart out through that beautiful cello. “It’s even possible”, Ma thinks as an afterthought, “that some people listening deeply enough, might hear and get a breath of the nuanced breadth of the Divine Feminine range of Power”. (more…)
Have you ever considered dance as a practice that can support your living at your highest potential and a tool for coming to know yourself, remembering who you truly are?
Dance today is experienced anywhere from fun, sexy and a way to keep fit to entertainment, forcing oneself into a certain popular image, and high art. It’s deeper spiritual dimensions call out to us and can be tapped regardless of the means if we choose to listen, if we believe, if we long for it. (more…)
Choreography and Dance: Banafsheh
Music: Babak Sharifimajd and Pejman Hadadi from their album Release Recitation: Andrew Harvey
Poem: Rumi
Working on this piece was both challenging and rewarding. I subjected myself to the essence of what I was trying to portray. Love is like a knife that carves out the impurities and the aspects of us that don’t serve the cultivation of our true selves and certainly don’t serve the world! Love is fierce and everything that is not love surfaces in the presence of love, so we can learn to love them. I resonate deeply with the original Persian of the opening lines of this poem. (more…)
Choreography: Banafsheh Music composition: Pejman Hadadi
In the photo: Dancers: (from front to back) Banafsheh, Tiana Alvarez and Nehara Kalev Musicians: Pejman Hadadi on Daf and Brad Dutz on various percussion
This piece was premiered in my full-evening dance and live music work, Amvaaj – Waves from the Unseen at UCLA and toured in North America and Europe.(more…)
What people say …
Caroline Myss, Renowned Author and Teacher
I had the pleasure of attending Banafsheh's a performance at Kripalu Center in MA. In watching her dance, I knew I was witnessing a master performer in action. Banafsheh is the quintessential professional in her field not only as a dancer but as an artistic interpreter of Rumi and in explaining the brilliance of that renowned Sufi mystic.
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2017-01-15T16:00:33-08:00
I had the pleasure of attending Banafsheh's a performance at Kripalu Center in MA. In watching her dance, I knew I was witnessing a master performer in action. Banafsheh is the quintessential professional in her field not only as a dancer but as an artistic interpreter of Rumi and in explaining the brilliance of that renowned Sufi mystic.
Banafsheh’s dance is a manifestation of Beauty, a taste of the divine through all the senses…both unearthly magic and a full incarnation of what only human beings can do - to speak of the Beloved in entirely new creative ways in each moment.
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2017-05-17T02:26:59-07:00
Banafsheh’s dance is a manifestation of Beauty, a taste of the divine through all the senses…both unearthly magic and a full incarnation of what only human beings can do - to speak of the Beloved in entirely new creative ways in each moment.
Banafsheh's teaching is vital to my recovery from corporate exhaustion. Since finding this amazing spiritual teacher at the beginning of the year, I have dedicated myself seriously to this study. She facilitates a sensuous, feminine, powerful embodiment of the soul, a spiritual path that I am dedicating myself to exploring. She holds a loving and vibrant energy for the room that enables me to go further than I could by myself.
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2017-12-07T23:08:24-08:00
Banafsheh's teaching is vital to my recovery from corporate exhaustion. Since finding this amazing spiritual teacher at the beginning of the year, I have dedicated myself seriously to this study. She facilitates a sensuous, feminine, powerful embodiment of the soul, a spiritual path that I am dedicating myself to exploring. She holds a loving and vibrant energy for the room that enables me to go further than I could by myself.
Banafsheh's grace and beauty is rippling ever outward to encompass the world. Her sessions are a delight and fresh adventure into devotion for me. The dance is one of my favourite devotional practices and adding the Sama has enhanced this beautifully. The experiential nature was exactly what I had showed up for and received. I am very grateful to your creational light and to Tony Khalife's music to bring forth so much love in motion.
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2017-01-16T06:20:16-08:00
Banafsheh's grace and beauty is rippling ever outward to encompass the world. Her sessions are a delight and fresh adventure into devotion for me. The dance is one of my favourite devotional practices and adding the Sama has enhanced this beautifully. The experiential nature was exactly what I had showed up for and received. I am very grateful to your creational light and to Tony Khalife's music to bring forth so much love in motion.
https://banafsheh.org/testimonials/anne-round/
Nataschaa Chatterton, Student, US
Dance of Oneness is far beyond what I expected. I attend many workshops of varied subjects, primarily focused on healing. This was such an amazing tapestry of knowledge and wisdom to touch all elements of the being; mind, body, spirit, emotion, heart. Such a graceful approach to creating a climate to embody the wisdom.
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2017-01-16T07:00:57-08:00
Dance of Oneness is far beyond what I expected. I attend many workshops of varied subjects, primarily focused on healing. This was such an amazing tapestry of knowledge and wisdom to touch all elements of the being; mind, body, spirit, emotion, heart. Such a graceful approach to creating a climate to embody the wisdom.
I appreciated the overarching sense of inclusion and kindness. I felt it and it seemed like others did too. I am grateful for the sense of community that many spoke of during our reflections, that only moving together in Spirit can create. This is such a magnificent practice Banafsheh has created. This weekend I discovered that I have been separating my mind from my body and myself from the world. I have felt the oneness. Now instead of being grateful for my stomach, I am grateful for me and my stomach as part of me, of my whole being, from light above to roots below.
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2017-01-16T07:05:15-08:00
I appreciated the overarching sense of inclusion and kindness. I felt it and it seemed like others did too. I am grateful for the sense of community that many spoke of during our reflections, that only moving together in Spirit can create. This is such a magnificent practice Banafsheh has created. This weekend I discovered that I have been separating my mind from my body and myself from the world. I have felt the oneness. Now instead of being grateful for my stomach, I am grateful for me and my stomach as part of me, of my whole being, from light above to roots below.
Enlightening and energizing. I felt more open and surprisingly more energetic that I have in a long time. I was afraid I wouldn’t physically be up to the task of moving and stretching but that was not the case. Not only did Banafsheh allow for and encourage different levels of mobility and strength, but the movement she teaches is both gentle and flowing when taken together and mixed with music produce a joyous energy. I found it liberating to be encouraged to move freely to music that provides an (to me) intrinsically sacred and primal connection.
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2017-01-16T07:10:11-08:00
Enlightening and energizing. I felt more open and surprisingly more energetic that I have in a long time. I was afraid I wouldn’t physically be up to the task of moving and stretching but that was not the case. Not only did Banafsheh allow for and encourage different levels of mobility and strength, but the movement she teaches is both gentle and flowing when taken together and mixed with music produce a joyous energy. I found it liberating to be encouraged to move freely to music that provides an (to me) intrinsically sacred and primal connection.
This is a profound body of work for a profound experience of embodiment! I have studied and searched for 35 years for this depth of love and illumination that Banafsheh brings to the sacred dance floor.
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2017-01-16T07:15:30-08:00
This is a profound body of work for a profound experience of embodiment! I have studied and searched for 35 years for this depth of love and illumination that Banafsheh brings to the sacred dance floor.
At every retreat of Dance of Oneness, I come in touch with a different yet profound healing layer of spirit level. Dancing the movements that were very grounded in tribal beats, I got in touch with the mother earth’s whispers and beats. As the beats got louder and stronger, I could hear the lineage of tribal dancers moving through me. Banafsheh’s direction to stay in touch with our steps and our souls and to the earth’s embrace, stepping with reverence, I hear her whispering stories of these powerful tribal steps and movers. I feel a deep gratitude for all my ancestors who passed these on. At this moment as I feel deeply into my steps, imitating them from the depth of my heart, she smiles, I cry.
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2017-01-16T07:20:15-08:00
At every retreat of Dance of Oneness, I come in touch with a different yet profound healing layer of spirit level. Dancing the movements that were very grounded in tribal beats, I got in touch with the mother earth’s whispers and beats. As the beats got louder and stronger, I could hear the lineage of tribal dancers moving through me. Banafsheh’s direction to stay in touch with our steps and our souls and to the earth’s embrace, stepping with reverence, I hear her whispering stories of these powerful tribal steps and movers. I feel a deep gratitude for all my ancestors who passed these on. At this moment as I feel deeply into my steps, imitating them from the depth of my heart, she smiles, I cry.
Transformative! Banafsheh skillfully takes us step by step to an experience of dance that brings me deeper into my body, to a peace of feeling grounded and open to beauty and to love. Most importantly for me, the process brought me to experience a lovingness toward myself. I appreciate her presence of gentleness and fierce passion, and I’m inspired to bring my best self into my world.
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2017-01-16T07:25:52-08:00
Transformative! Banafsheh skillfully takes us step by step to an experience of dance that brings me deeper into my body, to a peace of feeling grounded and open to beauty and to love. Most importantly for me, the process brought me to experience a lovingness toward myself. I appreciate her presence of gentleness and fierce passion, and I’m inspired to bring my best self into my world.
My experience of the workshop was exactly what I need for my spiritual expansion. The pace was perfect for me. Banafsheh’s voice, pace, and care for the group was wonderful. I’m very excited to have found Banafsheh as a source of inspiration!
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2017-01-16T07:30:11-08:00
My experience of the workshop was exactly what I need for my spiritual expansion. The pace was perfect for me. Banafsheh’s voice, pace, and care for the group was wonderful. I’m very excited to have found Banafsheh as a source of inspiration!
Beautiful experience. I was reminded of much that is eventual. To be free and love oneself deeply, and love others, this body, our temple and to explore its powers and extremities. As always, thank you Banafsheh for your beautiful guidance, teachings and poetry. Dancing on!
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2017-01-16T07:35:19-08:00
Beautiful experience. I was reminded of much that is eventual. To be free and love oneself deeply, and love others, this body, our temple and to explore its powers and extremities. As always, thank you Banafsheh for your beautiful guidance, teachings and poetry. Dancing on!
It is what I’ve been searching for deep inside… knowing that it existed somewhere, this embodiment of dancing my truth. Sacred dance allows for the expression of embracing the Divine through the bodies that we inhabit for a brief moment in time with deep gratitude.
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2020-08-26T20:48:54-07:00
It is what I’ve been searching for deep inside… knowing that it existed somewhere, this embodiment of dancing my truth. Sacred dance allows for the expression of embracing the Divine through the bodies that we inhabit for a brief moment in time with deep gratitude.
It is what I’ve been searching for deep inside… knowing that it existed somewhere, this embodiment of dancing my truth. Sacred dance allows for the expression of embracing the Divine through the bodies that we inhabit for a brief moment in time with deep gratitude.
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2017-01-16T07:40:07-08:00
It is what I’ve been searching for deep inside… knowing that it existed somewhere, this embodiment of dancing my truth. Sacred dance allows for the expression of embracing the Divine through the bodies that we inhabit for a brief moment in time with deep gratitude.
It was an amazing, intense and sometimes overwhelming experience. At one point, the combination of Sama, the dancing, astrological and Sufi teaching, readings and encounters overwhelmed me with a unifying message/experience leading to a spiritual/emotional/physiological shift. I returned home grounded, fully embracing my feminine power and equipped with the tools to do my part in living in unison with all of the Beloved’s creations.
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2017-01-16T07:45:43-08:00
It was an amazing, intense and sometimes overwhelming experience. At one point, the combination of Sama, the dancing, astrological and Sufi teaching, readings and encounters overwhelmed me with a unifying message/experience leading to a spiritual/emotional/physiological shift. I returned home grounded, fully embracing my feminine power and equipped with the tools to do my part in living in unison with all of the Beloved’s creations.
Banafsheh is a force of nature! She not only shares the life giving radiance that overflows from her heart and is embodied in her dance, she reminds us of our own divine embodiment and lovingly facilitates our expansion into that blissful state of union. YES! Heaven and Earth whirled into one.
Banafsheh Dance of Oneness
5
2020-10-09T13:47:40-07:00
Banafsheh is a force of nature! She not only shares the life giving radiance that overflows from her heart and is embodied in her dance, she reminds us of our own divine embodiment and lovingly facilitates our expansion into that blissful state of union. YES! Heaven and Earth whirled into one.
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