Beth the Sybil
What Is Yoga-Dance?
Yoga-Dance is a Spiritual Mind-Body Fitness Program that has emerged from my 30-year spiritual practice and study, and my professional work as a dancer, choreographer, dance teacher and yoga instructor. Sharing what has worked so well for me, I found it resonates at a deep place for others too, who enjoy yoga, spirituality, fitness, dance, meditation, and creative explorations towards inner awakening.
There are many fitness programs that assist in physical wellness, but do not address spiritual and emotional wellness. Yoga is a marvelous spiritual fitness tool, but it does not access the rich creative imagination within each soul yearning to express itself. I have found by adding creativity to fitness and by creating original movements in space to express diverse thought currents, that cathartic, transformative and healing energy emerges.
Yoga-Dance first offers a specific discipline of movements, including conscious breathing, yoga, dance technique and chakra activations as a preparatory tool for improvisational dancing led by the guidance of your own Heart. The structured regimen of Yoga-Dance is for developing both the open state of mind as well as refined strength, coordination, flexibility and facility with which to engage in personal expression of the free dance of the soul. The freedom to easily express oneself through a well-honed instrument is a profound joy of being in embodiment.
VALUE OF TECHNIQUE
As a professional dancer I understand the value gained from the discipline of technique and practice. As my dance vocabulary and facility increases, I have far greater range of movement options with which to express myself, which is deeply gratifying. That is why my program offers a foundation of specific physical exercises to develop a highly tuned instrument for creative expression.
With that trained mind-body instrument the possibilities of what we can create and experience through movement and dance are infinite and miraculous. This is because dance as a medium of growth, healing and transformation is a perfect marriage of polarities; body and soul, Earth and Spirit, in which transcendence or transcen-DANCE can be experienced.
INTEGRATING POLARITIES
In this 3rd dimension we live within a construct of duality and polarities: masculine-feminine, light-dark, Heaven-Earth, positive-negative, etc. Polarities are essential to life on Earth, but living within the balance of polarities is true harmonious living. In the consciousness of separation that humans have been living in for a long time, each polarity is posed against the other rather than seen as essential aspects of the whole. For example, if the masculine polarity imagines it is better than the feminine polarity and must control her, then both polarities are thrown out of balance. These split polarities are extremely insidious within our psyches.
To create a whole and thriving life, all polarities must become integrated rather than held in opposition, in which one pole is perceived as “good” and the other “bad”. The human race is on the edge of the most auspicious transformation to an integrated Unity Consciousness. Yoga-Dance is a marvelous tool toward this end because by its very nature of expressing spirit through the body instrument, it integrates the Mother/Earth/body and Father/Spirit, which is a split we each must unify and heal within each of us.
The body is of the Earth; matter, mater, or Mother. The Mother is the creative matrix, the womb in which life develops. When life emerges from the womb, it comes forth out of the dark, like the seed germinating under the soil. When you give yourself the freedom to create and uniquely express in your body through dance, it is the celebration of the feminine polarity and the healing of a deep psychic split and deeply buried hatred of the beautiful dark creative matrix of the Divine Feminine. By connecting with Her simply through the activity of our dance expressions in the body, we tap into her limitless power available to us throughout all aspects of our lives.
Father comes from the Latin, Pater, which means pattern. The seed holds the pattern for the Oak tree, but it is the dark wet feminine soil of the Earth that the seed transforms from just the potential for life into an actual growing Oak tree. Even as the seedling sprouts and grows upward, it simultaneously grows in equal measure down under the soil as roots in the dark places of the feminine energy of the Earth. Both polarities are essential, the pattern/seed of the Father and the womb/soil of the Mother.
DANCE AS A HEALING TOOL
In yoga-dance, I take ideas, which are seeds or patterns, and express them through the movement of my body, which is an extension of Mother Earth, and becomes the womb to materialize these ideas into my physical reality. This is like the Oak tree becoming a physical form from the idea potential held within the seed. My dance becomes a powerful prayer. For example, if I desire to experience forgiveness, I take that idea and allow my heart to emotionalize the idea of forgiveness into physical movements. The physical experience of dancing these emotions, led by my creative imagination and inner wisdom, re-informs my mind of the emotional state of forgiveness. The seed idea of forgiveness that I desire to sprout in my consciousness, germinates from a potential into the reality of my experience through being physicalized through my creative movement.
There are endless ways to use this gift of Yoga-Dance for transformational purposes; like the exercise of expressing and experiencing each aspect of a given polarity, and then dancing the divine integration and balance of the two. In integration both poles are honored as essential and I can rest in balance at the center. I recognize I hold within me both aspects of a polarity, regardless of which pole I have chosen to identify with in my life. As a woman for example, I also have the masculine polarity within me and both poles are essential to my wholeness.
Another example from my experience has come through the spiritual practice of “sun-gazing”, in which I daily gaze directly at the sun in meditation during the final moments before the sun goes down. (Feel free to learn more about the specifics of this practice from my Sun-Gazing blog and on google). The practice has brought a deep understanding of the relationship of the polarities of Sun and Earth, Light and Dark and my immediate connection to these powerful interdependent forces. It has been a life-changing inner awakening by honoring these relationships within myself. And in that “magic” hour, when day and night meet briefly, I dance this blessed union ecstatically. I celebrate the relationship of Sun to Earth and Light to Dark, in which the gifts of daylight energy are assimilated in the night and the gifts of the dark time of growth creates greater capacity for receiving more light-energy the next day. The dance of nature is beautiful!
GOING DOWN AND IN
For years along my spiritual journey I gravitated toward the light and fled the dark. I focused on ascension in the Light, but the soul freedom I desired remained elusive. By grace, I now see an equal balance between the Light and Dark, going down into the hidden places of “wombing” – the dark space of creation, as well as ascending up into the light. In fact, I cannot rise without going down and the dark is not “bad” as I had imagined, but rather the powerful feminine force of creation. In nature we see that the tree growing upward in the light is matched in equal measure by the roots that reach down in the dark Earth. By diving deep into my body/Mother Earth and embracing and expressing her dark mysteries, I experience my wholeness and light shines in the darkness.
Yoga-Dance is a holistic practice of spiritual physical fitness and a tool for personal inquiry into the deep mysteries within the soul through creative dance movement. Its objective is the integration of body-mind-soul-spirit and all that is fragmented or polarized within my consciousness. This integration is enlightenment; the light going within. What does the light (information/pattern) go within to? It goes within to the dark womb space of the Divine Mother where creation happens. What a beautiful mysterious dance is the Yin-Yang matrix of this life. I look forward to exploring Yoga-Dance with you!
Dance as a Spiritual Practice and Healing Art
Yoga-Dance DVD - A Spiritual Mind-Body Home Fitness Program
A rigorous one-hour work out, melding Beth’s extensive backgrounds in dance, yoga and spiritual wisdom, Yoga-Dance combines conscious breathing & yoga, basic dance technique, with improvisational dance in a creative approach to total well-being. Yoga means Union. Yoga-Dance is Union with the Infinite GRACE I AM through loving movement. This method develops flexibility, strength, balance, mindfulness, creativity, spiritual expansion, emotional healing and a dancers body.
*FREE Yoga-Dance Companion Booklet
*Blog "Why Yoga-Dance"
Reviews for Yoga-Dance DVD
"Yoga dance experience was joyous. The dvd is really well done and can help get one started at home. Sybil is an intuitive teacher, her presence puts one at ease and she has the ability to quietly bring out the child within. She is a superb dancer but more importantly she makes others dance. I took a class with her at Agape and enjoyed each moment . It was unpredictable and enchanting . The music was compatible with everything she had planned. I truly recommend her as a teacher . What ends up happening in class is cathartic."
Mercy Peters
Doctoral Student in Psycholgy
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"Beth the Sybil's Yoga - Dance is the healing tool I have been looking to add to my regimen. With the Yoga - Dance DVD I am able to re connect my mind, body and spirit deeply. Her graceful guidance, calming voice and beautiful example of movements make it easy to follow along. Beth has created a program that flows through Yoga, to Dance to Chakra alignment and finally to Free Dance in an effective way I've not seen on DVD previously. The majestic and serene settings compliment the flow, strength and peaceful essence of Beth's guidance. In the comfort of my own home I am able to recover from injury utilizing Beth's creation, the Yoga - Dance DVD. Thank you Beth, for following your calling, for sharing your gifts and for being a centered, spiritually and physically adept guide. Yoga - Dance is exactly what my spirit was asking for."
Thomai Hatsios,
MetaHara Productions Director / Producer
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"Yoga Dance is a transformational journey through the heart, body, and soul. This practice will bring flexibility, strength and balance to your entire being. Truly one of the most beautiful videos I have ever seen! The background of the powerful Utah red rocks, and the soothing nature of the trickling water took me on a spiritual meditative journey. I love the fusion of ancient yoga, modern dance, ballet, sacred dance, and mindful mantras! I highly recommend this practice to everyone!"
Jennifer Joy Jimenez
Professional Dancer, Certified Mind-Body Expert
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"Absolutely stunning, this DVD is a gorgeous and delicious work of art for the body, mind and spirit!!! Melding Beth’s extensive backgrounds in dance, yoga and spiritual wisdom to the backdrop of some of nature’s most gorgeous backdrops is exquisite! Through her loving tone and generosity of heart and spirit, Beth elevates and escorts each participant into the rich atmosphere of the 5th dimension, where all things are possible."
Dr. Elizabeth Lambaer
Radiance and Youthfulness Expert
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"Equally impressive is the beautifully shot amazing scenery, the unique combining of yoga and dance, the quality of instruction, as well as the spiritual intent present throughout. Beth leads you through three sections that blend seamlessly, beginning with a 25 minute yoga session, flowing into a 25 minute ballet class, and completing with a spiritual movement sequence which connects body, mind & spirit. This video is great for the yogi or dancer interested in integrating different forms of movement and with practice, someone less experienced can learn and follow along."
Steve Oskard
Sports Massage Therapist
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"As someone with a dance background who hasn't danced in many years, I was delighted to find Beth the Sybil’s Yoga-Dance DVD both challenging and nurturing, and something I look forward to practicing repeatedly and regularly. Even deeper is the sense of empowerment her practices afford you as she expertly guides you from structured movement into your own personal, free expression. At the end of the free dance section, as I heard Beth's voice of wisdom giving life to the purpose and importance of our individual sacred dance, I wept with gratitude. As a filmmaker, I was keenly aware of Beth's choice to perform the same sequences in front of different backgrounds, which, when edited together the way she did, creates a subtle but powerful message about constancy amidst change. Yoga-Dance is a powerful invitation to remain steadfast and focused on your own unique expression, regardless of what external things are changing around you. "
Ambika Leigh
Content Creator - On Purpose Pictures
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"Yoga-Dance is awesome. I was immediately mesmerized by the beauty of this video. Then, Beth's talent at film-making and editing combined with her grace and skill in yoga and dance has created a program that is so much more than a yoga and dance program. It is an adventure in the exploration of the balance and beauty of body, mind and spirit experience. I look forward to tapping into the energy of such love and healing which I sense from beginning to end. Thank you Beth for sharing such a magnificent part of you."
Coralee Kulman
Puyallup, WA
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Yoga-Dance DVD Instruction Booklet
Read this booklet before beginning the Yoga-Dance DVD to support getting the most out of your practice.
Companion Booklet for
Yoga-Dance
Spiritual Mind-Body Fitness DVD
(downloadable pdf link)
Yoga-Dance bares this name not just because there are aspects of yoga and dance, but because the term yoga defines my relationship to the dance. Yoga is defined as union with Universal Consciousness and it is with this mindset that I approach all the movement exercises in this program. My workout is also my meditation.
The Yoga-Dance program is divided into three sections.
- Yoga Flow: Conscious breathing, yoga postures and dance stretching
- Ballet technique
- Chakra activations, sacred affirmations and heart guided dance improvisation
When beginning, follow your own inner guidance regarding how much to challenge yourself. Feel free initially to watch the program and simply practice the conscious breathing. For some of the dance exercises you may need to see them several times before it becomes part of your muscle memory. With regular practice you will always improve your skills and mastery. There is no rush. Before you begin, ask your Higher Self to guide you. Take full responsibility for choosing your highest and best good. Consistency is the key to growth. For health concerns consult a health practitioner before beginning.
Section 1
Yoga Flow
The most important aspect of this section is to learn to focus continuously on your breath while you practice the physical movements. Our breath is our connection to life itself on this planet. Without thinking about it, we breathe continuously, yet when we stop breathing, life on this plane has ended. While on Earth, conscious breathing offers a metaphor of our infinite Life in Spirit, for when we breathe consciously, we tap into our eternal Life Force, which is far grander than even this lovely physical form we are using for our journey on Earth.
When your mind wanders because you are concentrating only on the execution of the physical exercise or because thoughts pass through your mind, just return again to following your breath and coordinating your breathing with the physical movements. There is no limit to how much this conscious breathing practice can expand your experience of your true Self and promote the feeling of peaceful well-being. Conscious breathing can also be incorporated into your normal daily life activities with great benefit. It has been observed by the medical community that one factor contributing to the high rate of degenerative disease is from long term shallow breathing. Conscious breathing is the opportunity to take long deep cleansing breaths, appreciating the value of the life giving energy conveyed through the breath.
In regard to the physical movements, follow my lead and pay attention that your knees are fully stretched, lengthened and engaged when that is the position presented. Notice the alternating positions of the spine between rounded and arched. The spine, which holds the central nervous system, is where the cosmic subtle energy centers of the chakras exist. It is along this energy pathway that we raise the kundalini energy from the base of the spine chakra up to the crown chakra, in the process of spiritual awakening. The spine is the axis of our total well-being, the primary support structure of both the body and the soul while in embodiment.
Section 2
Ballet Technique
Ballet is the foundation dance technique used by most all professional dancers, regardless of their particular style of dance, to develop the greatest strength, flexibility and beauty of form. In Yoga-Dance we use basic ballet technique to cultivate these qualities as well as develop alignment, coordination, balance, grace, and for sculpting long defined muscles.
Turn-Out
In ballet we dance using “turn-out”. Turning out is an action that originates at the hips and requires that the hips be in an open position, rotating away from each other, causing the toes to face away from each. By turning out it is possible to develop a greater range of motion with the legs than when our knees and feet are in a parallel position like normal standing.
This practice of opening up the hips to increase range of motion also serves as a metaphor for expanding awareness. As I practice opening my heart in spiritual practice, I discover the range of motion of my entire life expands. So I find a correlation between practicing dance technique with turn-out for increasing my physical range of motion and my spiritual practice for opening (turning out) my heart to experience greater range of motion and possibilities in my entire life. There is an uplifting understanding that carries over from my dancing to my life as a whole.
This practice of opening up the hips to increase range of motion also serves as a metaphor for expanding awareness. As I practice opening my heart in spiritual practice, I discover the range of motion of my entire life expands. So I find a correlation between practicing dance technique with turn-out for increasing my physical range of motion and my spiritual practice for opening (turning out) my heart to experience greater range of motion and possibilities in my entire life. There is an uplifting understanding that carries over from my dancing to my life as a whole.
Body Alignment
There is a basic “pulled-up” body alignment we want to maintain throughout the ballet section, which can be discovered by standing in second position. The legs are about 3 feet apart and gently “turned-out” so the toes are facing away from each other. This rotation of the legs starts from the hip sockets, rather than from the knees down. Your amount of turn-out is individual and should be very comfortable for you to stand upright and without any stress to the knees.
Standing in the turned out position, the buttocks should feel lifted and tucked under, rather than sinking backward and sticking out. Tipping the pelvis upward, feeling the hipbones tip up similar to car headlights going on assists with tucking in the lower buttocks. Engage the abdominals by drawing the belly button inward. The chest should be lifted, but the ribs should not protrude forward. The neck and top of the head feel lengthened upward, while the shoulders, by contrast, are pressed down, activating the muscles in the upper back and across the top of the chest.
If you draw an imaginary line from one armpit across your back to the other, you cross the portion of your back that allows the arms to be lifted up and down. Activating this area is crucial for your “pour de bra”; the carriage of your arms and upper body and what gives grace to the upper body movements of the dancer. Hold your arms long out to the side, slightly curved at the elbow. As you feel the shoulders pressing down become aware of your back supporting your arms as you lengthen them away from the shoulders. Get a feel for this area of your back by slowly moving your arms up and down like they are your wings and feeling where the support for the motion originates in your back. Holding this awareness of the upper back is something you want to do all the time in dance, so the arms are energized and expressive, even if held in place.
It takes time to integrate these different elements until you sense the placement of these individual pieces as one complete and single body awareness. By thinking about and practicing the body placement I have described, you will be able to develop your dance technique and grow in skill and grace as a dancer. You will notice doing this that you actually will stand taller; while feeling powerfully rooted to the ground and energized. Periodically throughout your day, find this integrated body awareness standing in place in 2nd or 1st position for a moment.
When doing a demi-plie´ in first position, bend the knees as deeply as you can without allowing the heels to come off the ground. Then when you do a grand plie´, bend the knees as far as you can before lifting the heels and then continue to bend the knees further while lifting the heels, going all the way down as far as the knees will bend.
When doing the tendu and degashe´ exercises, in which the foot is being extended from first position along the ground in each direction, it is beneficial to feel like you are leading with the heel to encourage turn-out. You should also feel resistance between the bottom of the foot and the floor as you slide the foot away and slide it back to first position. This is lengthening and strengthening to the leg muscles.
Pay close attention again throughout this ballet section to the contrast between long stretched legs with straight knees and knees that are intentionally bent as in plies and fondus. It is this clear distinction that creates long, elastic, responsive muscles.
Section 3
A. Chakra Activations
The Chakras are seven swirling vortices of energy in the body that govern the life force and pertain to different aspects of the physical, mental and spiritual bodies.
In this program we begin activations at the level of heart and move downward through the lower three charkas that focus on the physical aspects of survival and then return to the heart before continuing with more specific activations for the upper three chakras associated with spiritual awakening. At a primitive survival level, we as a collective have been functioning with only the lower three chakras activated and not generally anchored to a fully activated Heart center. By activating the upper energy centers and anchoring all to the heart, we can merge heaven and Earth within ourselves, reinvigorating the lower chakras through the awakening of the upper chakras, meeting in divine marriage at the heart. Ultimately this leads to enlightenment within the context of physical embodiment.
Following is further understanding of the relationship of upper to lower chakras which is helpful to be aware of.
Chakra 4: The heart is the 4th chakra and is the center point of the seven chakras. It is the place for unifying the masculine and feminine energies in a sacred inner marriage of polarities, regardless of your gender. It is also the hinge of Divine Love that swings the upper and lower chakras into unification of corresponding polarities.
Chakras 3 & 5: Correspondence of the 3rd, solar plexus chakra of personal power with the 5th, throat chakra of communication of the power of Truth. Unifying power and Expressing Truth
Chakras 2 & 6: Correspondence of the 2nd, sacral chakra of reproductive/creative energy with the 6th, third eye chakra of Illuminated Vision. Unifying physical and spiritual Creation
Chakras 1 & 7: Correspondence of the 1st, base of the spine chakra of physical survival with the 7th, crown chakra of unity consciousness. Unifying Heaven and Earth
As we do the activations of the upper chakras, recognize that the corresponding lower chakras are also being activated and recalibrated for your highest and best good; all centered in the unconditional love and forgiveness of the awakened heart center.
Do the chakra exercises without looking for any particular result. It will reveal itself. Hold your attention to the particular colored energy center being activated and visualize the energy purifying, expanding and spinning outward. Trust the process. An up-leveling is taking place.
B. Sacred Affirmations
Following the chakra activations and at the close of the program you are invited to join with me in affirmations of Truth and Gratitude. There is much power in speaking forth the Truth even when your feelings or the evidence of your current physical life appear to contradict these declarations. Understand that they are being spoken from a higher plane of awareness that is going on simultaneously to any experiences of limitation you may be experiencing in your awareness. By simply accepting the possibility of this Higher plane of reality, regardless of your personal circumstances, and affirming with your voice, you create an open space for your awareness to shift into that expanded space. There are infinite parallel realities happening simultaneously and like a radio, I have the opportunity to change channels and tune into a variety of frequencies I prefer.
Gratitude is also a powerful tool. I can only be thankful for what I have. So by choosing to be grateful for what I am and for the things I desire to yet experience in life, it compels my expansion into the experience of having these experiences. I am One with All That Is. It is only in three-dimensional consciousness that I can experience lack and limitation. Gratitude allows me to expand into a multi-dimensional awareness in which I know I am the infinite holographic field; I lack for nothing and my cup runneth over.
Love is the Power that guides me in Wisdom to Unity – There is only One
(Heart) (Throat) (Third Eye)(Crown)
I draw Source energy into my awareness and I give my heart of love to all.
I draw in the gifts of the cosmos and I give out all that I AM.
Thank you Divine Mother
Thank you Earth
Thank you God
I am thankful for my life
I am thankful for peace and joy
I am thankful for limitless abundance and a generous heart
I am thankful for healing and wholeness
I am thankful I am an essential part of God’s creation living a life of purpose.
C. Heart Guided Improvisation
We are all creative beings by our very God nature and have the opportunity to tap into that energy. It is essential to the realization of our true magnificence and fundamental connection to All That Is. Using our creative imagination is like tapping into the Universal river that is always flowing and discovering that we are One with that flow. As we were created
The final section of this program is for you to allow your own deep inner guidance to move you and dance through you, without judgment or expectation. I express movement in my way and you will express in your unique way, through small or big movements, fast or slow movements, or stillness, simply holding the energy of creation. While I invite you to enjoy my final improvisational dance on the DVD, don’t try to copy my movements. Listen to the music or put on your own music and begin moving. If this is new to you, be patient with yourself as you create a space to grow more comfortable with your own creativity. There is no “right” way to move from the heart. The task will be learning to release the ego judgments that interfere with stepping into the unknown of your creative process. If this is challenging for you just think of taking baby steps and with practice it will become not only comfortable, but also exhilarating.
In section one and two of the dvd, there are very specific exercises to follow, which develop and enhance your well-being and skill level. During section 3 however, the focus is not on your technique, but on following the lead of your own heart and imagination. Ironically, through your regular technique practice you will discover it enhances and expands your own dance creations without consciously thinking about it. Improving your dance technique provides a bigger vocabulary with which to creatively express your self.
There are many ways to use creative movement and improvisational dance to raise our personal vibration and that of the planet. Following are some examples for you to explore used in live classes and
wokshops.
1. Dance a Feeling Tone
Hold in your mind a particular feeling quality that attracts you and let the energy of that feeling dance through you. Focus on the emotional feeling and let the feeling define the movements of your body. It’s amazing how healing and energizing this process can be. Here are a few examples of qualities that can be expressed through your dance to raise your vibration:
Love, joy, peace, healing, courage, creation, compassion, forgiveness, Divine Mother, abundance, prosperity, perfect health, limitless possibilities, power, kindness, generosity, and wholeness
2. Dance Your Prayers
You can also dance a particular prayer/intention rather than using a verbal prayer or to amplify the power of a verbal prayer. Physically expressing the prayer is very powerful. Visualize the fulfillment of your intention, which already exists in the field of infinite possibilities. What does the fulfillment of what you are desiring feel like? Allow those feelings to dance through you from a place of gratitude, of having already received what you are asking for.
3. Dance for Integrating Opposites
Here on Earth we live in a dimension of polarities. It appears that everything is separate and full of contrasts; up-down, hot-cold, love-hate, fear-courage, happy-sad, success-failure, etc. But in the realm of Spirit, all is One and knows only its Oneness. Because we are spiritual beings having a physical experience in the Earth, we have the opportunity to master through Love remaining conscious of the Unity of All That Is while navigating through the experience of duality and contrasts of being in a body
For example, take a particular emotion that has been challenging you, such as unworthiness or fear, and begin dancing that feeling. Allow yourself to fully explore those difficult feelings through movement. Then think of the opposite emotion of worthiness and courage, and dance those feelings. Embrace that you have access to experiencing both worthy and unworthy as you choose, as we are all aspects of the duality. Finally, step beyond the realm of duality of worthy/unworthy, and embrace pure Being itself, Non-Dual consciousness. In truth I am not a body at all, but an aspect of the infinite consciousness of God that has temporarily put on an Earth-suit. It is growth to learn not to define ourselves by polarities such as, “I am a success” or “I am a failure”. Those statements are both part of the playing field here on Earth and are always subject to change. Instead, I identify myself with that which never changes; Source Creation.
4. Dance just for the absolute pure pleasure of it.
