Training in Meditation des Tanzes (dance meditation) was first offered in Latvia 3 years ago. For me, dance meditation is a modern extension of St. Dominic’s states of prayer. I completed the training in meditation of dance with Friedel Kloke – Eibl, Germany, and was inspired by Sister Monika Gessner OP, where I experienced my first dance retreat: dance meditation and contemplation are my personal prayer paths that help me to fulfill Dominican spirituality – contemplation in action.
Latvians love music and dance. Latvia is known for its song and dance festivals, in which almost everyone in Latvia participates – as a participant, as a volunteer or as a spectator – perhaps that is why the meditation of dance as a form of prayer is attracting interest – both positive and negative. The Church is familiar with the attempts to introduce dance into the liturgy of the Church, which were successful in some regions. The meditation of dance, however, opens up another dimension of prayer – the opening of the heart to God as the center of the body – and meditation-en-croix as a central element helps to recognize and accept the meaning of suffering and death and to have transformative experiences.
Three years ago, 25 participants began the training, which most of them were able to complete at the beginning of October this year with a written paper and a certificate – a time that was first a spiritual and then a very physical experience for each of us in our relationship with God and which presented us with great challenges in the face of world events.
We experienced the time of Corona and the beginning of the war in Ukraine. We worked in small groups, outdoors – in summer and winter – and remotely – via Zoom. We changed the location of the lessons because we were saying goodbye to my home in Latvia – St. Joseph’s Monastery, which had become a symbol of spiritual home for all of us. The team of teachers was completed by Sister Hanna OP (theology), Guna Ezermale (ballet), Andra Fenhane (music), Krišs Edgars Stalidzāns (Gestalt therapy), Father Tadeusz SJ (spiritual guidance) and my heartfelt thanks to all of them for their creative and dedicated cooperation!
In the summer of 2022, the training group was led by Friedel Kloke – Eibl, of the Sacred Dance Training Institute. We had the opportunity to meet Saskia Kloke, Friedel’s daughter, choreographer and tradition keeper. In 2023, the training group was led by Johanna Schilling.
During this time, several course participants have started practicing dance meditation at their workplaces and/or in their communities. Ruta offers dance meditation in Carnikava, Sanita in Daugavpils, Anda M. and Anda D. in the singing school in Madona, Anda D. in the Luther Church, Dita in the day care center and Agate in the kindergarten.
The day the diplomas were awarded was October 1, the feast of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus. It was also a community festival, so we spent part of it celebrating together, dancing, singing, talking, thanking God, each other and our families for the gift of time and our new “little” way to God, to ourselves and to people – the meditation of dance.
Maasa Diaana Ceermane OP
Pictures of the diploma presentation