I just returned from Grass Valley, CA, where I danced the second module of Cycles with Kathy Altman. We danced our teen years. For me these years represented a time of wild revolutionary spirit, the spirit that challenges and learns, tests boundaries and creates its own. We practiced centering in all of it. Needless to say, my wild spirit had a hard time getting to class some days. The Yuba river was calling me! It became a treat before and after dancing. I dipped into the cool water and soaked in the heat of the boulders. I felt like that teenager who is finally free from her parents (but not really)!
On Sunday, after swimming in the river and soaking in some heat, we were headed to a potluck in our car and a big black bear crossed right in front of us and went up the steep slope next to the road. It was stunning. That strong bear, solitary, wild and so centered (even amongst the highway, cars and gauking eyes).
When I returned home I had an email waiting from a fellow dancer. He said he had a dream and we danced together. Then, when he awoke, he went for a walk and came close to the most beautiful, powerful bear he'd ever seen. This was Sunday morning on the East coast, the same day I saw the bear.
As I continue opening to the mysterious moving meditation that I am, I continue to get these awe inspiring reminders of the power that we can all access, the medicine we hold in our hearts, minds and bodies. When we meditate, however we do it, we open up the possibility of connecting to this powerful medicine, whether it be bear medicine or snake medicine or raven medicine or....(it's truly endless)
As shaman we dance and the medicine moves and is moved by us!
