Dancing and Gurbani

BhagatSingh · #1 (**permalink**) 16-Dec-2008, 15:57 PM

Hi guys,
Recently I have been talking to a Singh and he asked me if I would dance to gurbani kirtan. At first, I thought NO that would be disrespect. But then I remembered that sometimes I would be so fixated on the kirtan that I would start to move with it. I would be lost in it to the point I wouldn't care what I was doing. It would feel natural to just move with it.
Then I thought about it as I talked to him. Since we sing Gurbani, which is a form of self expression, why not dance? Which is another form of expression. Both a gift from God. Both used to express love. Why not dance for God, I thought?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/interfaith-dialogues/23677-dancing-and-gurbani.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23677

He said he doesn't like the dance because he wants to concentrate on something different, which makes sense. The gurbani would then create these shockwaves inside him.
I replied in agreement but added that sometimes those shockwaves would be so intense [for me] that you just can't help but move with it.

I want to know what you guys think. Give your sincere and honest opinions. BTW dance could mean any type of movement, I guess.

Thanks
Bhagat Singh

Astroboy · #2 (**permalink**) 16-Dec-2008, 19:17 PM

I can show you two video clips which show people dancing to the tune of gurbani.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=23677
One blue belter sangat who do arti with a lamp-lit in a thaal and another a
namdhari mastana dance. I voted NO to dancing.

Archived_Member5 · #3 (**permalink**) 16-Dec-2008, 21:36 PM

Americanisation of tribal dances to hymns from the bible are greatly off putting and far removed from the nature of prayer. To create a deep meditational silence and allow spiritual awakening. A quiet contemplation yields positive introspection. Dancing to Kirtan is not what Sikhism is about. There are some aspects of modernism best avoided. We reserve our dancing mania for the bhangra halls at birthday bashes and wedding receptions. It is best this way.

pk70 · #4 (**permalink**) 16-Dec-2008, 23:05 PM

When I hear Kirtan, I feel soothing effect that actually helps to still the mind, dancing cannot be done if the mind sets for stilling. Many time the head starts moving up and down while sitting and listening to Kirtan.

Archived_Member4 · #5 (**permalink**) 16-Dec-2008, 23:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeetijohal

Americanisation of tribal dances to hymns from the bible are greatly off putting and far removed from the nature of prayer. To create a deep meditational silence and allow spiritual awakening. A quiet contemplation yields positive introspection. Dancing to Kirtan is not what Sikhism is about. There are some aspects of modernism best avoided. We reserve our dancing mania for the bhangra halls at birthday bashes and wedding receptions. It is best this way.

You mean you reserve the dance mania for the excess of energy in the body. Mind is still the controller and the arms go up and down or however people dance these days; the movement made in accordance to the sound of maya.

BhagatSingh · #6 (**permalink**) 17-Dec-2008, 00:36 AM

it seems clear that you guys think that dancing is some sort of maniac act.
ever heard of slow dancing?
Ever heard of just moving? barely dancing....

keyword: movement

i didn't mean dancing like HARDCORE bhangra, maybe I wan't clear enough on that

BhagatSingh · #7 (**permalink**) 17-Dec-2008, 00:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pk70

When I hear Kirtan, I feel soothing effect that actually helps to still the mind, dancing cannot be done if the mind sets for stilling. Many time the head starts moving up and down while sitting and listening to Kirtan.

there you go, that would be considered dancing. why? because in fact there is movement of the body. A little bit more movement maybe of the hands and would probably be considered dancing by others too.

Again, not HARDCORE bhangra, just moving with the kirtan.

pk70 · #8 (**permalink**) 17-Dec-2008, 00:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BhagatSingh

there you go, that would be considered dancing. why? because in fact there is movement of the body. A little bit more movement maybe of the hands and would probably be considered dancing by others too.

Again, not HARDCORE bhangra, just moving with the kirtan.

That also shows a complete involvement in Kirtan, senses are focused, outer distraction dies completely; however, it has nothing to do with"dancing taken as in popular term" What you are stating about movements, surprisingly they occur only if a complete attention is in Kirtan

BhagatSingh · #9 (**permalink**) 17-Dec-2008, 00:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pk70

That also shows a complete involvement in Kirtan, senses are focused, outer distraction dies completely; however, it has nothing to do with"dancing taken as in popular term" What you are stating about movements, surprisingly they occur only if a complete attention is in Kirtan

Yes! I mentioned that in the main post. ..shockwaves too intense... movement created...