The Tao of Zydeco

If one purpose of a spiritual practice is to develop a sense of connection with oneself, other people, the world and the universe, dancing to zydeco has got to help.

Last night's zydeco dance was so much fun. I talked with friends, danced with pretty girls in swishy skirts, ate great food, laughed and sweated. Lots of sweat.

For the first time last night, I recognized how dancing may be part of a spiritual practice too. I'm practicing to be aware of my body and not simply use my body to transport my head. Yoga helps put one in touch with one's body; to explore one's body; and to learn how one's body is connected to one's spirit, heart, and head

When I'm dancing, my spirit, my heart, and my head as well as my body enters into it. I can feel the rhythm of zydeco music in every part of my body. Sometimes I'll play with it and think, 'okay, now feel it in your left calf; now feel in your elbows" and I'll let the music move my body. When I'm really in sync, the music and the rhythm take over; I don't think or control, the music does that.

Zydeco is a social dance, so you do all this with a partner and that helps my spiritual practice on a social level in that I am connecting with my dance partner in a very special way. Courtesy, gentleness, grace, harmony are all practiced to music. Compassion for those who are learning is great practice. Keeping my ego and not getting a big head because pretty women ask me to dance with come hither looks is great practice. I'm not particularly good at that yet, by the way. :) I need lots more practice there.

The music is a blend of African, Caribbean, and Cajun rhythms illustrating that white, black and colored people are all connected so there is this sense that people of the world have all worked together to create this wonderful experience.

When I do Kundalini meditation, I try to feel the energy from the earth and pull it through my spine to my head. When I dance to zydeco music the rhythm comes through the floor and fills my entire body and head.

You know what though? words sort of ruin the experience. Maybe there are some things that cannot be spoken of. They need to be experienced.

If you open this this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFL_34zE_jM and listen and watch, it may give you a better idea of what I'm trying to say. Watch your body start to move to the music, feel the smile on your face, see a room full of people sharing the same experience, sense the pure joy that is coming out of that room. Is that not spiritual practice?

Thanks for reading AND listening.

Mike