Theme/Mantra: “Moving in Freedom”
Reading:
Naked by Jennifer Michael Hecht
The reason you so often in literature have a naked woman
walk out of her house that way, usually older, in her front garden
or on the sidewalk, oblivious, is because of exactly how I feel right now.
You tend to hear about how it felt to come upon such a mythical beast,
the naked woman on the street, the naked man in a tree, and that makes
sense because it is wonderful to take the naked woman by the hand
And know that you will remember that moment for the rest of your life
because of what it means, the desperation, the cataclysm of what it takes
to leave your house naked or to take off your clothes in the tree.
It feels good to get the naked man to come down from there by a series
of gentle commands and take him by the elbow or her by the hand and
lead him to his home like you would care for a bird or a human heart.
Still if you want instead, for once, to hear about how the person came to be
standing there, naked, outside, you should talk to me right now, quickly,
before I forget the details of this way that I feel. I feel like walking out.
Meditation:
Sit quietly with your eyes closed. Let your breath be slow and relaxed.
Visualize the lower half of your body as warm, moist, vital soil.
Picture a beautiful white flower blooming in the upper half of your body.
Breathe into its essence and repeat several times
I am willing to embody my spirit.
Gaze deeply into the flower blossom.
Think of it as the embodiment of your spirit.
What truths do you see?
What message does your spirit have for you today?
Physical Movement:
Find yourself a place where there is room to MOVE.
Listen to both songs and … let your body move as it will.
For as many times as you need.
Reflection:
There is a freedom that comes in moving our bodies, without worrying about being judged or criticized. I don’t do it nearly enough. I think most of us in our culture need to feel a freedom of movement in our bodies more than we do- our muscles- how we respond to the music- what parts move and how. We carry traumas in our bodies. We carry pain and disappointment. We carry anxiety and fear. But we also carry happiness and joy- right? So let your body move today. Be naked in spirit (or otherwise, but I highly discourage public nakedness- I don’t want anyone arrested for experiencing their freedom…). Let the music bring you joy and free you internally as well as externally.
I will also recommend the book “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel Van der Kolk if anyone is interested in reading more about the mental health and body connection. .
Songs (we have two today):
Freedom by Jon Batiste
Lyrics:
When I move my body just like this
I don't know why but I feel like freedom (yeah)
I hear a song that takes me back (I know)
And I let go with so much freedom (hey)
Free to live (how I wanna live)
I'm gon' get (what I'm gonna get)
'Cause it's my freedom
I love how you talk
You speaking my language
The way that you walk
You can't contain it
Is it the shoes?
Jumped up, kangaroo
We're overdue for a little more prancing
Now it's your time (it's your right)
You can shine (it's alright)
If you do, I'ma do too
When I move my body just like this
I don't know why but I feel like freedom (yeah)
I hear a song that takes me back
And I let go with so much freedom (oowee)
Free to live (how I wanna live)
I'm gon' get (what I'm gonna get)
'Cause it's my freedom
The reason we get down, is to get back up
If someone's around, go on let them look
You can't stand still
This ain't no drill
More than cheap thrills
Feels like money, money, money, money, money, money
Now it's your time (it's your right)
You can shine (it's alright)
If you do, I'ma do too
'Cause when I look up to the stars (stars)
I know exactly who we are (ohh)
'Cause then I see you shinin'
You shinin', you shinin', oh
Free to be (everybody come on)
(Everybody come 'round)
(Everybody come on) come on now
(Everybody hit the floor)
I'm stuck to the dancefloor
With the, with the whole tape
With the, with the, with the whole tape (let me see you wobble)
I'm stuck to the dancefloor
With the, with the whole tape
With the, with the, with the whole tape (let me see you shake)
Give you just what you ask for, givin' you the whole shake
I'ma give you the whole shake (let me see you wobble)
I'm stuck to the dancefloor
With the, with the whole tape
With the, with the, with the whole tape (can you make it break?)
I say yeah (yeah)
Oh yeah (oh yeah)
(Let me see you wobble)
'Cause, you do, I'ma do too
When I move my body just like this
I don't know why but I feel like freedom (freedom)
I hear a song that takes me back
And I let go with so much freedom
Free to live (how I wanna live)
I'm gon' get (what I'm gonna get)
'Cause it's my freedom
Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake
Lyrics:
I got this feeling inside my bones
It goes electric, wavy when I turn it on
All through my city, all through my home
We're flying up, no ceiling, when we're in our zone
I got that sunshine in my pocket
Got that good soul in my feet
I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops
I can't take my eyes up off it
Moving so phenomenally
Room on lock the way we rock it
So don't stop
And under the lights when everything goes
Nowhere to hide when I'm getting you close
When we move, well, you already know
So just imagine, just imagine, just imagine
Nothing I can see but you
When you dance, dance, dance
Feeling good, good, creeping up on you
So just dance, dance, dance
Come on
All those things I shouldn't do
But you dance, dance, dance
And ain't nobody leaving soon
So keep dancing
I can't stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance
I can't stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance
Come on
Ooh, it's something magical
It's in the air, it's in my blood, it's rushing on
Don't need no reason, don't need control
I fly so high, no ceiling, when I'm in my zone
'Cause I got that sunshine in my pocket
Got that good soul in my feet
I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops
I can't take my eyes up off it
Moving so phenomenally
Room on lock the way we rock it
So don't stop
And under the lights when everything goes
Nowhere to hide when I'm getting you close
When we move, well, you already know
So just imagine, just imagine, just imagine
Nothing I can see but you
When you dance, dance, dance
Feeling good, good, creeping up on you
So just dance, dance, dance
Come on
All those things I shouldn't do
But you dance, dance, dance
And ain't nobody leaving soon
So keep dancing
Until Tomorrow- Peace
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