I feel that my dancing is actually inspired by the Lord and is part of my ministry to share my spiritual journey with people I meet. It is also the way I can increase disability awareness and receive great joy in the process. Jennifer's introduction to her pamphlet Dancing with God Through the Storm speaks my mind of my recent spiritual growth. Wayne

See Dancing in the Light Article in May-June 2007 MDA Quest Magazine

Dancing with God Through the Storm Mysticism and Mental Illness Pendle Hill Pamphlet 344 1999 by Jennifer Elan

Liberal Extract from INTRODUCTION

"In a conference I recently led I asked for silent worship between activities. During the worship, a participant said, "Jennifer, I'd like to see you dance your mysticism." I was stunned. I had never thought about "my mysticism" until that moment, I asked the group to uphold me in prayer as I danced. Then I led them in a body prayer and they joined me in the dance. Sharing God with others in a dance of praise was so joyful, so right, so connected! God choreographed that moment of worship."

"What was it that I danced? I danced a connection of my physical being with the Divine. It was a prayer of praise and thanksgiving as well as a prayer of asking to be used in God's service and in God's plan. It was a surrendering of the program, symbolizing a letting go into a Divine plan. It was a prayer of both praise and humility. It was a communion of my physical being with the Divine Being. It was a union, with joy the offspring."

"Mysticism in my life involves a current of energy that connects that of God within me to that of God not in me. Mystical experience is part of a committed way of life. It is opening my soul and holding in it the creative space that existed before God created the universe. It is co-creation with God in that space."

"My heart has opened on the mystical journey to allow my hands to go forth and powerfully do God's work that is uniquely mine to do. I am to allow and appreciate the gifts provided for me to do the work. These gifts include images, voices, colors, Presences, languages that sing and dance, knowings, the companionship of others, rhythms that create connections, and separations that give a glimpse of a black pit so that I can discern right way in the moment. Living on this path will eventually allow me to transcend the need for those opposites in my life; nevertheless, contrasts are important learning tools. I am to live on a path that is uniquely for me. The gifts are both physical and spiritual. Along the way, there are consolations and desolations; I am to say thank you because there are gifts and lessons in all of it."

"Einstein declared that true science, true art, and true religion come from the same place. Mystical experiences give me a glimpse of that place and connect me to others who have had a similar glimpse. Mysticism is standing in awe of the bounty of the beauty of God's creation and allowing the co-creation process to flow. I am to allow integration so that my hands become holy hands and the ground becomes the holy ground God has given me to stand on."

"Recently the openings in my own life have been a powerful and healing force. As I have gained a frame for them, I have learned to accept and honor them. The experiences have moved from being frightening to being beautiful and purposeful metaphors and symbols of my deepest inner life. Many people have shared my journey to this point; I have listened to many who report similar journeys."

"Some journeys are quite ordinary and pleasant but others are intense, out-of-the-ordinary experiences that were sometimes quite uncomfortable. I have become aware that some people do not have others to accompany them on their journeys and "accompaniers" are needed."

"To accompany another person requires holding a level of uncertainty that is not valued in our culture. As an accompanier to those who told me their stories, I did not impose a set of rules for distinguishing "true" or "untrue," "authentic" or "inauthentic," "of God" or "not of God," "mystical" or "mental illness." Success in the accompaniment role depended on an ability to stand with people, not having to believe or disbelieve what they were saying, but honoring their unique experiences and allowing them to discern their own distinctions. It also involved knowing my limits clearly and standing true to myself when I could not accompany."

"The role of accompanier can offer reconciliation to many. Some Quakers have safe places in which to share their experiences and are able to seek the help they need to integrate those experiences in positive ways. Many people, however, do not share their mystical experiences because they are afraid of being informally labeled as crazy. Even when they have needed help to understand and integrate their previous experiences, the risk of having their experiences discounted in stigmatizing ways is perceived as just too great."