Devotion for August 9, 2026
By:  Vicki Bonenfant

The Spirituality of Circle Dancing

 I find circle dancing to be very nourishing to my body, mind and soul. I believe that when Jesus said, “Love one another,” he wasn’t talking only about family or neighbours — he meant everyone. That deep, open-hearted compassion shows up perfectly in a dance circle in beautiful ways.

 We start by holding hands. There’s a lovely idea that energy comes from the person on your right, moves through your heart, and flows to the person on your left. It’s a simple way to feel connected and supported.

A heartfelt melody, expressed perfectly through a flowing dance can make you feel calm, peaceful and connected to people near and far.  “Winds on the Tor” is one such piece.  The swirling and swaying movement can almost feel like you are dancing on that hill where Joseph of Arimathea is said to have buried the Holy Grail.

“Bells of Norwich” is a song that tells the story of Julian of Norwich, a 14th Century English mystic who experienced revelations of divine love, which she proclaimed by the church tower during the Great Plague. To quote the song-

 “Love is like the yellow daffodil- a flower in the snow,
 Here by the Tower of Julian I tell them what I know
 Ring out the Bells of Norwich…All shall be well again, I know.”

When the dancers swoop their arms up to mimic the bells, it is joyful, and when the dance ends with arms folded over the heart it feels comforting. The song reassures us that God’s love can conquer the harshest aspects of life.

Ma Na’vu is a soulful Hebrew song based on Isaiah 52:7.

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news of peace and salvation.”

I love how the rocking motion of this dance is so comforting, and the traditional steps are like the steps taken by the herald. You can feel the peace. (At this point I say a prayer that peace will take hold in the Middle East.)  As our steps fall into place, you get that humbling, joyful sense of being part of something bigger. Some Asian and Middle Eastern traditions call it a moving

[Mandala Art Intricate and Colorful Mandala Designs | Premium AI ...] mandala — the steps sketch a prayer, a flower, a symbol of hope. Dancing becomes a prayer for the world.   “Nesbesko Kolo” is a Croatian dance in which the dancers’ movement out of the circle depicts the rays of the sun.  “Sonnewende” is a Swedish sun dance in which the dancers wind around each other like the changing seasons. This theme is seen around the globe- there are North American First Nations traditional dances, South and Central American, and Tibetan dances, all with the same theme.

Some dances are not at all reverent but are simply for the shear fun of dancing. These include “Chocolate”, “Home Grown Tomatoes”, “Magpie”, “The Swimming Song”, “Mama’s Kitchen”, “Hazelnut Dance” and “Joy”.

Other dances are heart centered; they celebrate love for each other- both universal love and romantic love. “Love Is”, “Give Yourself to Love” “Dance me to the End of Time”, “Rosebush”, “Fields of Gold”, “Love Rescue Me” all have familiar emotions that people throughout the world have experienced.

Circle dancing has helped me to broaden my horizons and see beyond the smaller aspects of daily life. It has given me a deeper understanding of other faith communities and cultures.  It has enriched my soul.

In these days of the threat of global war and so much distrust and misunderstanding, I think Circle Dancing is needed more than ever to give a deep sense of a human bond that is more
powerful than all the divisions of politics, religion and race.

                                                         -Vicki Bonenfant
 
My Prayer
God, help us to see that all people of the world have a common bond of humanity which is much deeper than political, racial and religious divisions.  Striving for peace and understanding will reap much higher rewards than war ever has. Let us remember the prayer of St. Francis-
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred, let     me sow love.”  Amen.

“Reaching out, reaching in, in the circle game all will win,
Teaching you, teaching me, how to live inclusively,
Everyone knows the circle grows, all around the world it goes,
‘til all are caught and held in the circle of love.”
-Song Lyrics to a dance by Rex Barger

(Rex was a dear friend, and former pilot, who  taught dances and many community-spirited action songs.)

Note:
I have attached two songs.  The first one, “Giving Thanks” is composed and performed by Ceshia Anaquod on the CD Spirit Voices.  It is based on this Navajo Prayer-

“I walk with beauty before me: I walk with beauty behind me,
I walk with beauty above and below me; I walk with beauty all around me,
Your world is so beautiful, Creator.”

The second song is “All My Life’s a Circle” by Harry Chapin.

 MISIRLOU [Friedel].mpg

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