“We learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. One becomes in some area an athlete of God.” Martha Graham
Flexibility In The Dance Of Life
In life and dance, flexibility is an essential quality. As we watch a modern or ballet dancer, we are amazed by the infinite variety of shapes through which she or he moves. For dance, the body must be stretched beyond comfortable limits. For life, our minds must be stretched as well.
Physical flexibility allows us to move with ease, letting the momentum of the
movement carry us through space like a bird in flight riding the updrafts. But spiritual and mental flexibility helps us to trust that what unfolds is good, even when it is challenging.
Flexibility Raises Conscious
An inflexible mind limits our lives as much as an inflexible body limits the dancer. Oneness states, “There are no right and wrong choices. There is simply action and reaction. And both are intertwined in the eternal dance of life.” (p. 320) Flexibility allows us to be more conscious, to be able to see what the possible consequences of certain actions may be and then to choose wisely the action we wish to take.
For example, I grew up with the notion that friends were forever. At least that was the way it was supposed to be. I still think this is a wonderful idea whenever it is possible to stay connected to the same friends for years. But I came to realize that in our mobile society this is difficult. If we are also growing and changing, it is inevitable that we will outgrow the value of some relationships and that they may become so diminished that we each need to move on.
Letting Go With Love
Is it wrong to walk away from people and circumstances that no longer support what is best for us? If we are to be healthy, whatever and whoever is in our lives must be compatible with our spiritual path or else that energy will be depleting. Learning to let go with love is just as valuable as being able to welcome what is new with love. Sometimes letting go simply means thinking differently about a situation. We need the flexibility to make whatever choice is appropriate.
So in life, flexibility allows us to change our mind, see other points of view, and experiment in order to find healthy solutions to problems. Life becomes an improvisation so that we are open to new possibilities. It teaches the ego that it doesn’t always need to be right. This is why meditation is so helpful. In the silence, we are able to sense our oneness with all creation. In this space we are in the flow and we surrender to life, just as the dancer surrenders to the dance, and we become “an athlete of God.”
When has changing your perspective helped you make a better choice? Please comment.
© 2011 Georganne Spruce
Related Readings: Practicing the Spiritual Dance – Strength
Awakening to the Dance 