Dance of Liberation - the Book

The following is a synopsis of the upcoming book, Dance of Liberation, by Parashakti. In Dance of Liberation, the reader becomes the dancer (and hence will be referred to as “the dancer” throughout both the book and this synopsis.) This book is written in a ceremonial way, by use of ceremonial language and direct speech; transporting the dancer on a journey through the Dance itself, all the while still being benefitted by the explanations for why the ceremony is structured in a certain way.

Section I - The Voices of the Dance

Dance of Liberation is divided into three sections, the first being entitled Voices of the Dance. The dancer will be guided through detailed explanations of the importance of creating sacred space for the dance and the power of setting an intention – the former of which creates a safe space for letting go while the latter creates a focus for our prayers.

What follows that introduction is the topic of the blindfold and the music. The ritualistic use of the blindfold allows the dancers to better tap into their inner vision and, with the assistance of the music, journey to other planes of reality. They are enabled to tap into their subconscious mind as well as open the channels to Spirit, which allows them to see themselves and their issues from a broader perspective.

It is not uncommon for people to receive Spirit Guides, travel to the astral plane or rework old traumas while they are journeying. There are even demonstrations of the release of physical pain and blockages on the dance floor.

This then brings the dancer to the subject of movement. Physical movement has been shown to be beneficial in examining old neural pathways and creating new neural pathways in the brain. Given that the heart, 40% of whose structure is comprised of neurons, is so similar to the brain, it follows that it too receives the benefit of this movement.

Thus there is both a spiritual and scientific explanation for how the heart, mind and body become connected in the Dance, and the dancer is able to release the temptation to over-analyze and hyper-intellectualize their inner world. Instead they get to dance it and live it from a deeper, more experiential place. Essentially, the Dance of Liberation serves as an ally for people – capacitating them to let go of their old stories and live something new. In this way, a great deal of healing and transformation can happen for the dancer on the floor.

Additionally, the fact that the heart emits a scientifically measurable energy field that can be as wide as seven feet in diameter explains why there are certain connections that can happen on the dance floor. Even while completely engaged in their own individual dance on opposite sides of the room, two or more dancers have been known to actually travel into the same heart space and or astral journey, which can be physically seen by the gatekeeper(s) of the dance. (The gatekeeper(s) of course are not blindfolded in their role of assisting dancers energetically when needed, and ensuring that the sacred space remains safe for everyone involved.)

This connection that sometimes happens between dancers on the same dance floor, also frequently happens amongst dancers in different parts of the country, or even world, who are involved in completely different Dances. This highlights what Parashakti has observed in all her years of facilitating Dance of Liberation workshops, which is that the Dance itself has both a personal (individual) message and a universal message that is relevant to all people on the entire planet. It is in this way that Dance of Liberation then serves as a vehicle for not only personal transformation, but for the healing of the entire planet.

To strengthen the Voice of the Dance, actual dancer testimonials have been interwoven throughout this section of the book. These testimonials demonstrate all these occurrences, as well as the possibilities of healing inherent in the Dance, thus providing a measure of safety, community and understanding for the dancer who may be exploring the Dance for the first time in their own time and space, possibly alone. In this way they are less likely to doubt their experiences or to go to either extreme of being afraid or overly identified with them.

Dance of Liberation is then an important vehicle for ushering us into the great paradigm shift that is taking place on the Earth at this juncture in our history. It is one of many spiritual support systems and tools that the individual and or a community can use to enter this next phase of our collective spiritual, social and physical evolution in the highest possible way.

Section II - The Voices of the Elders

So in keeping with this ultimate service and intention of the Dance, the author would be remiss and the sacred medicine circle that Dance of Liberation – ¬the book – weaves, would be incomplete, if she did not include and draw upon the wisdom of the Elders. In keeping with most wisdom traditions, the shamanic path, in which much of Dance of Liberation is based, places great emphasis on the importance of lineage and listening to the Elders.

So in the second section of the book, the Voices of the Elders, the talking stick makes its rounds amongst the Council of Elders so that their voices may be heard. Parashakti has observed and identified several adjuncts that enhance the power of one’s dance. Some of these are aspects of the dance itself, like the blindfold, while others are sacred ceremonies like the Native American Inipi or sweatlodge. Additionally, there are lifestyle recommendations that strengthen the dancer as a whole, like Spiritual Nutrition and yoga for example, that allow the dancer to go deeper into their dance and essentially get more out of the experience. By following these recommendations, the dancers are better supported to integrate the lessons of the Dance floor into their waking life, which is of huge emphasis in the way that Parashakti shares this modality.

Additionally, all these adjuncts that come from the wisdom of the elders are also part of ushering us into the forthcoming shift. The elders interviewed will include a wide range of highly credible sources, ranging from healers, physicians and Native American leaders with whom Parashakti has worked with personally to best-selling authors and renowned spiritual teachers. In fact, Sir Dr. Gabriel Cousens, M.D. has agreed to do the foreword to Dance of Liberation.

Besides being one of Parashakti’s personal mentors on a spiritual level, Gabriel Cousens is the author of numerous bestselling titles, including Conscious Eating and Creating Peace by Being Peace, which cover everything from the most cutting edge nutritional information, holistic ways of overcoming “incurable” diseases like diabetes, as well as spiritual life. He is also an esteemed spiritual teacher who has emerged from strong lineages in three different wisdom traditions. In the yogic tradition, he studied with Swami Muktananda Parahamsa and Swami Prakashananda for seven years, before he was declared enlightened by both of them, on separate occasions, in 1983. He was adopted by the Native American Lakota tribe and instated as Chief Yellow Horse of the Horse tribe, after four consecutive years of participating in the profound and deeply sacrificial Sun Dance Ceremony. And with all of that, he is ordained as a Rabbi in a long line of esteemed Rabbis that date as far back as the Bal Shem Tov.

The inclusion, therefore, of all these elders and experts from various fields, sharing spiritual and sometimes scientific teachings add legitimacy and depth to the experience for the dancer. Their voices lend weight to the power of the medicine circle that this book casts.

Section III - Liberating Your Dance

The final section of the book is more instructional. It is entitled “Liberating Your Dance.” In addition to detailed guidance on how to conduct the Dance of Liberation in his or her own home, the book also shares resources like vegan live food recipes, spiritual activities, reference books, like-minded blogs and detoxification tips that support the dancer in getting the most of her or his dance.

In essence, Dance of Liberation, the book, is a transformational fusion of spiritual exploration through dance, breathwork and contemporary shamanism that allows participants to access ancient wisdom, trust their inner guidance and let go of limiting thought paradigms that no longer serve them. Thus Dance of Liberation bolsters individuals to come closer to their highest potential.

Parashakti is a SoulHealing practitioner who has worked with over 10,000 dancers from around the world, facilitating workshops, trainings & retreats at the world’s leading holistic centers. Dance of Liberation, the book, is an offering from Spirit, through her own heart for the healing of all her relations, for both their own sake and for the healing of the entire living planet.