“Papa a Rangi, Tihei Mauri Ora ! . . . “
(Where Mother Earth & Father Sky meet and embrace, there is life!)

Who would’ve thought I’d be leading this Maori Dance of Universal Peace, greeting and honouring Mother Earth and Father Sky, in the German Dance Camp 2009! I first experienced the Dances of Universal Peace(DUP) in South Auckland in the mid 90’s. Laurie Ross, a well-known West Auckland peace activist, led a few evenings of Native American Indian Dances of Universal Peace. The sacred chants and rhythmic movements were deeply moving. When the course ended I yearned to find a DUP circle near home.

A few years later our local newspaper advertised DUP with Gay Brice at Friendship House in Manukau City. I was nervously excited going along but soon felt as if I’d finally “come home” and found what I’d been searching for. Gay also had a circle at Flatbush Old School Hall, and this became my home circle and initial “dance family”. We journeyed into many traditions with the dances, including the Celtic seasonal gateways and the Aramaic Beatitudes of Saadi, especially bonding as a community on dance weekends at Huia Lodge in Waitakere Regional Park.

One night Gay told us a friend of hers, Prem, was coming to our circle and would share leading the dances, saying something like “He’s pretty wild but you’ll love him”. . . Then in 2005 Gay told us that Shafia Stevens, a NZ-born leader from UK, was leading her 2nd dance training for those who wanted to deepen in the dances or become dance leaders. I knew I had to go and so the next part of my journey with the dances began.

Shafia’s DUP training at Tauhara Centre near Taupo nurtured and challenged me on many levels! A huge personal and interpersonal journey began which the dances so easily engender. By the end of 3 years I was thrilled to be considered “ready” for certification, and I continue to feel immense gratitude to all who have encouraged, supported and “mentored” me on this inner and outer journey, especially Shafia, Prem, Gay, Jena, Wendy and Janine and many other certified leaders, as well as my peers.

My journey with the dances continues to deeply enrich my life - and to stretch me on so many levels! I now hold the Flatbush circle, co-lead other groups including Hamilton and Titirangi/Glen Eden, and love “Spirit and Nature” weekends with Prem and Wendy at Otaki as well as our annual international “Dance Camp Aotearoa” in Hawkes Bay and deepening in the dances at DUPANZ’s annual Retreat at Mana Centre near Coromandel. As well as being part of the organization of these summer dance events in NZ, I hold DUPANZ roles of membership secretary and Regional Networker - feel free to contact me at sally4peace@gmail.com with any queries or suggestions.

You may have guessed the Dances are my passion! One of my interests in the dances is training, both for myself and emerging leaders. I love noticing how my peers are developing as dance leaders; supporting in regional training days with Prem; and helping wherever and whenever asked. I feel so blessed to have travelled to Europe the last two winters, experiencing dancing at many DUP/ Sufi Ruhaniat Camps and especially growing as a leader being on staff in Czech Republic and Latvia Dance Camps both years. It’s such a rich experience to “eat, dance and pray” with so many Beloveds in our international dance family. Ya Shakur Murshid SAM!

"One of the reasons I am teaching this music and dancing
is to increase Joy, and bliss in our own self.
This is finding the Beloved within, through experience”

Murshid SAM, founder of the Dances