Skip to main content

How to Start a Movement

How to Start a Movement

Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Start with what they know; build with what they have. But with the best of leaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will say, we have done this ourselves. - Lao Tzu -

I'm excited
I'm excited about the possibilities.
I'm excited about contributing
to a movement
that can change everything.

It's not so easy
to begin something
from nothing.
We're in Danville!

It takes a lot of effort
and persistence
to get a heavy object
rolling.
But once it is rolling,
even a little,
it is vastly easier
to keep it rolling.

I was surprised
that even our DJ,
Sharu,
felt the effort involved
in moving new dancers
through their inertia
and into flow.
He was spent from pushing,
pulling, coaxing.

But because of my initial connection
with Jay,
my 'first follower'...
Because he joined me,
joined with me,
I was inspired
to continue inviting connection
all night long.

Yes, it took a lot of effort and energy.
But that first "yes" allowed me
to tap into a limitless Source
of love and generosity
that sustained me all night long.

Jay,
you gave my offering legitimacy,
credibility.
You didn't hold back.
You lost yourself,
and found exuberance and joy
in the simple act
of connection.

You made it safe
 for others
to step through their inertia
and play.

And what a night.
Wasn't it a blast?
Transformative,
and transforming.

What might happen
when you (Jay)
bring in the next wave
of followers?

Awesome to imagine.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ

 ---harmony Gates 10/4/11

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Special Dance

by Harmony Gates I was lying on my back in the center of the room. The music was slow the lights were low. A ritual preparation. Tuning in: to the room, to the music, to my body. He rolled up to me slowly… deliberately, I thought, and peered down at me; head cocked to the left, mouth slightly open, teeth slightly showing. I'd had this happen before; another day, another dance. He'd rolled up next to me, peering in my direction. I'd offered to connect, and he'd rolled right on past. But this time felt different. He stopped. I waited. He looked. I held his gaze. My right arm was outstretched hand open, reaching in slow motion. Inviting, offering, waiting. Wanting nothing, allowing everything. As if called forth-- his left arm, pinioned to his chest like an unfurled wing, began to extend. His hand, claw-like in it's spastic contraction met mine With incredible power and strength he closed his

Being Embraced

A Description of Contact Improvisation Dance Practice: Achieving inner stillness through attention to, and acute observation of our impulses; our bodily experience. Meeting at the point of touch and exploring, through mutual responsiveness, what movement wants to unfold from an authentic, neutral space Curiously exploring that meeting, that point, that present moment, while maintaining full, unconditional presence. Saying, “YES!” in response to the other, without diminishing our self; without compromising our own authenticity. Surrendering to process, letting go of judgment, of intention, of willfulness. Experiencing a spaciousness that allows full acceptance self and other. As we are. Mutually supporting what is happening. And when there are ‘disconnects’, stopping and waiting. Waiting for that full presence to come into each of us again; for that felt sense of, “Ah yes, you are here, I am here, we meet here.” And in agreement, continuing. Joined, yet separate and individual. Connecti

Where Pleasure Lives

  WHERE PLEASURE LIVES   Just now, Letting go   of mental review and prediction, or even naming;   and simply sensing,   or rather aware-ing .   Even the witness disappears, and there is only the experiencer. This is the place where pleasure lives.   The mourning doves come   in these moments. They fly in and directly approach me.   Time disappears,   Ambition disappears.   Needs disappear.   This open ended satisfaction and pleasure- Its Heart Centered- 100% open;   radiating, receiving, being, beaming, Blissing.   Blissing is a verb! This is the ultimate nourishment.   Why would I trade it for less? It is free of effort, free of trying.   Free of directing, free of reaching.   It is having . I can have it all. I can give it all. I can be it all.   Love will hold it all.   Trust, surrender, trust, surrender, trust, surrender.   If it's meant to happen, it will.   And I will know.   Put your arms around me baby,   put your arms around me baby.   Put your arms around me baby.