When somebody hurts you, thank that person; thank the Universe for the suffering. Welcome every event as an advent, because every event can become an advent if we respond with gratitude.

Movement 8
Clapping/Rejoicing/Giving Thanks

The next dance is Clapping, which is Rejoicing, Giving Thanks. The heart is now set free and we can fully be our real selves. The arms swing down from shoulder level and forward together, and we clap more or less in front of the heart as our arms swing on up and out, expressing gratitude as our hands open up to form a chalice. So gratitude makes way for Divine Grace to flow into our lives.

I am a linguist, and I like to look into the origins of words. I find that they teach me a great deal. The word "Grace" and the word "Gratitude" both come from the same Latin root. Gratitude is man's response to Divine grace, and Divine grace can only flow into a heart which is full of gratitude. If you really want to progress quickly, the way to do it — the key which I was given a few years ago — is to be grateful. Be grateful for everything that happens, even when you are going through great troubles, great trauma, great suffering. When somebody hurts you, thank that person; thank the Universe for the suffering. Welcome every event as an advent, because every event can become an advent if we respond with gratitude.

In this dance, as we rejoice we clap; we look up and our arms and hands open upwards. Our hearts and our being become like a human chalice open to receive Divine Grace.

This is the first half of the movement — the upward gesture. The downward gesture is equally interesting. As our hands drop down from the high point of the movement, they come close together in front of the heart, palms facing but not touching, before continuing on down and swinging on out sideways to form a horizontal line with the shoulders. This expresses the receptivity of the soul as it opens itself to become a channel for Divine Grace to enter the earth and radiate out into the world. Gratitude opens us to receive Grace, and Grace opens the chalice of our being to become a channel of Divine blessing in the world.

Continued in Movement 9: Purifying/Sharing Subtle Energies/Scattering the Seed