The Fireplace Records, Chapter 45
Dancing with the Dao
In a short lecture by Alan Watts, titled "Walking on the Wheel," he contrasts those who favor listening to music with those who favor dancing to music. Both are enjoyable, beneficial, pleasurable, and healthy.
Some Christians and Platonic disciplinarians are disdainful of music, dancing, plays, jokes, games of chance, literature, etc. They contend that such arts corrupt the soul, lead one into vice, overindulge the senses, are sinful, encourage laziness, and take us away from the contemplation of the Divine. Secular pleasures are rejected, puritan attitudes prevail, and contempt for worldly pastimes are demanded.
My wife told me her Church of Christ fundamentalist parents would not allow any Christmas celebrations, not allow her to go to movies or dances, favored only church hymns, would not allow any musical instruments in church services, and condemned secular cultural pastimes. Probably, Islamic parents do the same these days.
Most people ignore the ascetic and disciplinary path to salvation and to the magical after-life. They enjoy both listening to music, playing music, and dancing to a variety of musical types.
A person with a more passive, quiet, contemplative nature enjoys relaxing and listening to music. They settle into stillness and auditory indulgence. These folks also might favor silent still meditation, standing meditation, yin yoga, and Qi Gong practices.
I enjoy dancing, tai chi chuan, and walking while listening to music. I enjoy playing the harmonica. Doing and making with my body-mind has provided me with a lifetime of pleasures and enjoyment.
Comments, Sources, Observations, Koans, Poems, Quips:
Dance, laugh, sing, and smile your way to vibrant health.
The Dao enjoys Dancing.
636 Riddles, Jokes, Witticisms, Humor
Refer to my Cloud Hands Blog Posts on the topic of Koans/Stories.
Subject Index to 1,975 Zen Buddhist Koans
Zen Buddhist Koans: Indexes, Bibliography, Commentary, Information
Pulling Onions Over 1,043 One-line Sayings, Quips, Maxims, Humor
Chinese Chan Buddhist and Taoist Stories and Koans
The Fireplace Records (Blog Version) By Michael P. Garofalo
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