Ithaca Dances of Universal Peace

Ithaca Dances of Universal Peace
We sing, dance and pray together for peace within ourselves and the world.
Join us for in-person dances again
About Our Dances
We sing, dance and pray together for peace within ourselves and the world.

The Dances of Universal Peace are simple dances set to the music we create with our own voices inspired by all of the world’s religious traditions. By singing and praying in the spirit of the many spiritual traditions of the world we can help bring healing to the cultural divisions that have been for centuries driving our world to war in the name of “religion.” The Dances of Universal Peace are a spiritual practice that brings us in touch with our sacred selves in an environment that allows us to honor the sacredness in each other. When we dance face to face, we are not just dancing with the person in front of us, but also with the divine spirit that is manifested through that person.
When We Gather
Ithaca Dances of Universal Peace

September 2, 2023 @ Foundation of Light led by Azad

September 30, 2023 @ the "Annex" of the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca - entrance on Buffalo Street led by Diane, Rukmini and Cheri

November 4, 2023 @ Foundation of Light led by Azad

December 2, 2023 @ main parlor of FUSIT on Aurora Street led by Cheri, Rukmini and Diane

Please join us for meditation music from 7:15pm and dances from 7:30pm. No experience necessary. $5 donation requested but not required.

We respect and support participants who choose to wear masks and/or not
hold hands. Gathering together to promote peace - within ourselves,
in the community and on Earth - is our intention.

*We request that you do a home Covid test within 24 hours of the event and
please stay home if you have any symptoms of illness, even if they are mild.

For more info: Diane at 607-351-3000 or Rukmini at
ithacadancesofuniversalpeace@gmail.com, or Azad at 607-379-3444, azad@idancepeace.org
Weekly Sufi Meditation
Every Tuesday 5:15-6:15 - currently via zoom
Each Tuesday throughout the year, 5:15-6:15pm, we gather to meditate and share spiritual practice. We often share sacred readings from the words of Hazrat Inayat Khan, as well as other spiritual guides, poets, and inspirational sources. Meditations and practices can include silence, breath, sound, visualization, movement, prayer, song and chant, "zikr" or remembrance of unity, "wazaif" or attuning to divine attributes, and small group sharing and reflection.

Schedule through June 2023:
First Tuesday each month: Sufi Healing with Jalil and Alia, including Healing Service, short readings from HIK (Hazrat Inayat Khan) Volume IV, Healing and Mental Purification, and related practices, meditations and sharing

Second Tuesday each month: Mysticism of Sound, Music of Life with Azad, including readings from HIK Volume II, The Mysticism of Music, Sound and Word, and related practices, meditations and sharing

Third Tuesday (equinox and solstice): Universal Worship Service with Jalil

Third Tuesday: Sufi Healing with Jalil, including readings from HIK Volume IV, Healing and Mental Purification, and related practices, meditations and sharing

Fourth Tuesday : Mastery Through Accomplishment with Alia, including readings from HIK Book Mastery Through Accomplishment and related practices, meditations and sharing

Fifth Tuesdays: Zikr with Azad

Co-sponsored with the Ithaca Sufi Center.
30th Annual Ithaca Dance Gathering 2023
The Ithaca Annual Ithaca Dance Gathering is moving location in 2023. Please join us!

Greetings community of seekers and lovers of the dance. Learn more about this traditional event in an Ithaca Times article about the 25th Gathering in 2015.

The Ithaca Dance Gathering, happening this year at Sky Lake retreatcenter in Windsor, NY, is a continuation of the 30 year old event that traditionally has been held on solstice weekend. Its primary focus is the Dances of Universal Peace as the practice of the four-day weekend, with full morning and evening sessions of the Dances of Universal Peace.
Ithaca Dance Gathering

*Virtual* Ithaca Dance Gathering
Two Modified Dance Sessions

Thursday, June 25th, 7:30pm EDT (UTC-04)
(Music begins at 7:00; Meditative Attunement/Walks at 7:15; Dances begin at 7:30)

Sunday, June 28th, 1:00pm EDT (UTC-04)
(Meditation & Music begins at 12:40; Dances begin at 1:00)

To determine your local time: www.thetimezoneconverter.com

We will connect our hearts and spirits in a virtual circle to share modified Dances of Universal Peace as well as
chanting, meditation, breathing and/or zikr practices.

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Click here to register:
Thursday 6/25 Session: https://zoom.us/meeting/register-thursday
Sunday 6/28 Session: https://zoom.us/meeting/register-sunday
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Please register for each session separately.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing details about joining the session(s). (Please don't share the Zoom link(s) on social media.)

Donations are appreciated but not needed to register.

Via PayPal on registration page or
checks payable to: "Ithaca DUP"
c/o Rukmini Miller, 202 Madison St, Ithaca NY 14850

Please feel free to join in the creation of our sacred atmosphere by creating your own comfortable, peaceful Zoom space.

This will contribute to our collective energy of Love, Harmony and Beauty. (Or... come as you are!)

Headphones or earbuds may help you hear the audio more clearly.

Please read the "Zoom Tips" for other helpful suggestions.
Donate
Dear Friends of the Ithaca Dance Gathering,

We hope you have marked your calendars and plan to join us as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Ithaca Dance Gathering next year June 25-28, 2020, once again in the beautiful Arnot Forest near Ithaca, New York!

When we began this event in 1991, we hoped to create a place to share Dances and grow leadership skills together. We didn’t imagine how it would blossom into such a beautiful space to share love with our new-found family. Each year, our community has expanded to include many lovers and leaders of the Dances of Universal Peace from across North America. We have witnessed fledgling leaders develop into wise, seasoned transmitters of this sacred practice, and toddlers grow into gifted dance leaders.

In 2020, we aim to share the experience of the Ithaca Dance Gathering with a member of the new generation of dance leaders involved in the Beyond Initiative. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this inspiring project, details can be found at https://dancesofuniversalpeace.org/wwbeyond.shtm. The goal of the Initiative is to spread peace in a sustainable world by bringing the Dances to people in under-priviledged countries who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience them. The young leaders of the Beyond Initiative are leading dance caravans to countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. As a result of the first year of the Initiative, there are now permanent dance circles in Turkey, Israel, and Iran! They are doing this in partnership with the Global Ecovillage Network.

The Ithaca Dance Gathering plans to open its arms and welcome a young global leader by raising funds to cover transportation and related costs for that person to travel to Ithaca and participate in our 30th anniversary event. Our goal is to raise $3,000 during the next six months. A generous anonymous donor has initiated our first fundraising challenge! This donor has pledged to match every donation we receive during the month of December up to a total of $750. In other words, if we receive $750 in donations during the month of December, our donor will make a matching gift of $750. We will be halfway to our goal! Please join us by making a donation using one of these options:

You may contribute online by going to the Dances of Universal Peace International website. DUP IN has kindly offered to receive tax-exempt donations earmarked “Ithaca” and disburse the funds to us.

Checks may also be mailed to the Dances of Universal Peace International at PO Box 55994, Seattle, WA 98155-0994. Please write “Ithaca” in the memo line. DUP IN will issue you a tax-exempt receipt.

Even if you are unable to make a donation at this time, we appreciate your prayers and blessings for the success of this endeavor and the 30th anniversary of the Ithaca Dance Gathering.

In Peace and Appreciation,

Rukmini Miller and Yarrow Nelson
Co-Chairs, 30th Anniversary Committee
Connect With Us

Ithaca Dances Email
Dances of Universal Peace International
Dances of Universal Peace North America
Ithaca Dances Facebook
Register for an Upcoming Dance