Abstract:

This dissertation presents the purposes of the Dances of Universal Peace, commonly called Sufi dances and the experiences of the dancers. The purposes of the Dances of Universal Peace were determined by examining the writings of Murshid Samuel L. Lewis, the creator of the Dances, and by interviewing three current Dance leaders. A survey based on these purposes, was given to 109 dancers to determine their experience and understanding of the Dances. The survey was also constructed to determine how the dancers experienced the Dances in terms of the five transpersonal areas: physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and interpersonal (communal).

An experimental workshop was designed and conducted to attain verbal, interactive dialogue with dancers about their experience of the Dances and their perception of the sense of community. In this workshop, exercises from various "personal growth" workshops were successfully used to enhance the experience of community.

A video tape of some of the earliest forms of the Dances of Universal Peace was made to assist the reader in understanding the essence of the Dances. This tape is also seen as a teaching aid for aspiring Dance leaders.

The results of the survey and the feedback from the dancers in the workshop indicate that the main purposes of the Dances of Universal Peace were experienced and understood by the dancers. The dancers reported that they experienced a strong spiritual, physical and community aspect of the Dances. The dancers also reported that the Dances were generally a positive emotional experience and that the mental aspect of the dance was of minimal importance.